“Welcome to Gulf Shores.” In just a few days and weeks, thousands of tourists from all across the region will descend on the white sand beaches of Alabama’s Gulf Coast, and while there may be excitement in the air upon their arrival, Gulf Shores officials want to go a step further in welcoming their guests.

In a recent council meeting, Councilman Steve Jones told Mayor Robert Craft and other council members that there was mounting interest to improve the welcoming points into the city.

“It has come across our radar over the past several years regarding our curb appeal of the city, in regards to recommendations the beautification board has made,” Jones said. “In the words of our director of tourism for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Herb Malone, said company is coming.”

Jones said that, for a long time, officials have be cognizant of issues regarding the entrances to the city and the cleanliness of the rights of way, and he hopes to see more effort put into the visual aspect which is the first impression of most visitors.

“I know it takes money, everything takes money, but I think we need to find a way to do some things to make the entrances to our city more special, and there have been some recommendations from our beautification board that I would like to see us take more seriously.”

Jones said he hopes that the city could find some financing and get the improvements up and running as soon as possible.

“I think it is an excellent suggestion,” said Mayor Robert Craft. “We need to look at some of these things.”

Craft suggested that Andy Bauer, Director of Planning and Zoning for the city, get together with Director of Public Works Mark Acreman and Councilman Jones to see what they could come up with.

“Let’s take a look at it. It definitely makes a lot of sense,” said Craft.

According to Beautification Board Chairperson Judy Smith, the recommendations were initially made in 2008.

“Our recommendations included signage coming into the city letting people know that they are in Gulf Shores. Something really nice and appealing to the eye,” said Smith. “Some of the other cities have nice big brick signs. Right now, people don’t know when they are leaving Foley and entering Gulf Shores.”

Smith said the board also wants a lighted sign for the Jack Edwards Airport.

“People come into town, and even if it is at night, they see the lights and they know there is an airport, but they don’t know the name of it.”

In addition to the signage, Smith said the board had also requested landscaping at all of the city buildings including the city annex, the adult activity center and the library.

“The adult activity center has been redone and the city annex they are still working on, so they are not going to do any landscaping until it is complete.”

Smith said that the board is proud of the city and what they are doing to help.