Gulf Shores purchases 81 acres

By Melanie LeCroy / melanie@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 12/15/21

As the population continues to grow in Gulf Shores city leaders continue to plan for the future. During the Dec. 6 regular council meeting, the council approved the purchase of just over 81 acres for …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Gulf Shores purchases 81 acres

Posted

As the population continues to grow in Gulf Shores city leaders continue to plan for the future. During the Dec. 6 regular council meeting, the council approved the purchase of just over 81 acres for $2 million plus closing costs. The property appraised for $2.205 million.


The 81-acre tract is located south of Coastal Gateway Boulevard and adjacent to a 40-acre tract owned by the city. The owner of record is Turf Properties #2. The Craft family donated the 40-acre tract to the city in 2018. It has been identified as the future site of a new community park, recreation center, school and fire station.


The 81-acre tract was for sale and City Administrator Steve Griffin said city officials opted to consider this property. A wetland delineation, a phase one environmental and property title search of the property showed it is ideal to expand public park use and other public facilities. The property also provides the right of way needed to connect Coastal Gateway with County Road 6 East. The proposed 2022 capital budget calls for construction on the road to begin in 2023.

"The red dots are the transportation plan that is a new connection from the north of Coastal Gateway to County Road 6 East. Unfortunately, a lot of the cars are cutting off and turning in through North Craft Farms, so the building of this road provides a new parallel road to Highway 59 and gets cars from North Craft Farms and on to this dedicated roadway," Griffin said. "This was included in the most recent budget amendment."


Gulf Shores has seen an explosion in growth north of the Intracoastal Waterway and there are few park and recreation opportunities in the northern part of the city except for the Sportsplex and Cultural Center.


Mayor Robert Craft recused himself from the council meeting before Griffin's presentation to the council and Mayor Pro Tem Philip Harris stepped in.


"This is a strategic piece of property for us in that it provides some long-term planning opportunities for a high-growing area of our community and gives us control of that future right of way we will need," Harris said.


The council unanimously approved the resolution authorizing Mayor Pro Tem Philip Harris to accept a contract purchase agreement between Turf Properties #2 and the city of Gulf Shores for the purchase of real property in an amount not to exceed $2,050,000.


During the regular council meeting, the council also:

  • Approved a public assembly permit for the Kiwanis Club Polar Bear Dip Jan. 1, 2022.
  •  Approved a public assembly permit for the Big Beach Marathon and Half Marathon Jan. 29, 2022.
  • Approved an ordinance granting the renewal of taxicab franchises to A B Taxi, A-1 Miss Mary's Taxi Service, Aaand You Need a Ride We Ride, A Better Cab, Bama Beach Shuttle, Beach Buggy Taxi, Beach Express Taxi Service, Coast Cab, Coastal Express Shuttle, Crozzzzcabz, Gulf Logistics and Mary's Taxi Service.
  • Passed a resolution declaring certain personal property as surplus and unneeded.
  • Passed a resolution accepting the proposal of The Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability in an amount not to exceed $150,000 for work in relation to the development and implementation of programs.
  • Approved the renewal of a contract with AirMedCare for a third year to provide air and ambulance services for Gulf Shores residents in an amount not to exceed $163,798.40.
  • Approved two contracts for lifeguard services with Valor Hospitality, operators for the Gulf State Lodge and with Gulf State Park for services at the Saltwater Pavilion.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing an agreement with Baldwin County EMA for usage of the Everbridge program to provide countywide alerts and notifications.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing the execution of a cooperative agreement with Alabama Department of Environmental Management to enforce regulations for the coast. This will allow the city to streamline the permitting process, hear variance requests and patrol the beaches within the city. The state will reimburse the city $60,500 for the work.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing staff to pursue a $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to the Gulf Shores Museum for the development of the Native American Canal currently being excavated in the city. No match is required by the city should it be awarded the grant.
  • Passed a resolution to revise the 2022 city council meeting dates to avoid conflicts with New Year's Day, Christmas Day, Martin Luther King Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing the execution of a professional services contract with Christie Strategy Group for lobbying services in Montgomery for $10,000 a quarter.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing the execution of a professional services contract with Van Scoyoc Associates for $5,500 a month for lobbying services for the city in Washington, D.C.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing a contract with Olsen Associates to provide services needed to restore engineered beaches located in Gulf State Park, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores due to damage from Hurricane Nate and Hurricane Sally. Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency will pay for 87.5% of the professional services and the city will provide a 12.5% match.
  • Passed three resolutions ratifying lease agreements for the building of airport hangars at Gulf Shores International Airport: two lease agreements between Tellus Hangar Gulf Shore and the Airport Authority and one between Webster Development and the Airport Authority.