FAIRHOPE, Ala. - Although two Fairhope residents who sued last July to stop a bay front project have appealed a recent court ruling against them, the city began construction Monday on a public access landing at the western end of Nichols Street.

But by Monday night, the on-again, off-again city project had been stopped once more, according to Public Works Director Jennifer Fidler.

Mayor Tim Kant told Fidler to stop construction at a May 2 Planning Commission meeting, she said, possibly as the result of instructions or discussions with city officials or staff.

The delay was in order to work out a compromise with the plaintiffs and residents seeking to have the landing built by possibly changing the design of the landing, she said.

“Thank God the lumber is on wheels,” Fidler said Tuesday morning.

Some neighborhood residents have sought a public deck at that property for more than a decade, similar to the one at White Avenue a few hundred yards north of the proposed site.

After lobbying the city last year, the project was given the go-ahead and lumber was moved onto the site in preparation for construction. But before construction could begin, neighbors filed suit in county circuit court.

The plaintiffs recently lost that case at trial and have appealed it, City Attorney Marion “Tut” Wynne said at the April 25 City Council meeting.

For now, the lumber for the project rests in a trailer near the proposed site.

In other business at its April 25 meeting, the council:

• Voted down a resolution that would have sent $202,000 in grant funds for stream restoration to the city of Foley.

• Introduced a proposed ordinance that would establish a city historic districts and landmark commission. The proposed law is scheduled for consideration at the next council meeting on May 9.

For more on the proposed ordinace to establish historic districts see the May 6 edition of The Fairhope Courier.