There is that one buzzword when you’re talking about developing Gulf Shores’ Waterway District. Resident Alvin Jones pointed it out.

Water.

“It's interesting that it's called Waterway Village to me, and I think you need a way to the water,” Jones said. “I really believe that.”

Gulf Shores City Council met in a work session on Monday, Aug. 17, where an item about closing the Canal Park boat launch under the State Route 59 bridge had the house packed.

Jones was just one of several residents who spoke fondly of the launch under the bridge and asked council to keep the amenity he and other residents said serves a need in the community.

No one spoke in support of closing the launch.

Under the proposal, the city would replace it with more parking for the Waterway Village District and a covered fishing pavilion on the waterfront that could be used for fishing.

A memo from City Administrator Jon Walker recommended changing the lease agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation “that removes the Canal Park boat launch from the agreement and … terminate access to the boat launch.” Besides the launch and trailer parking, there is also public parking and a dock.

Councilors could vote on the proposal in the next regular session on Aug. 24, but from the response of citizens it looks like a hard sell to remove the launch.

Starting with Councilman Joe Garris, who was a charter fisherman for 50 years after following in his father’s footsteps who fished the same waters. Inshore charter fishermen still use the launch, and even with a larger launch about four miles east, Garris said it would place limits on charter boat launches.

“I would like for this council to keep this boat launch open as is simply because the ICW boat ramp does not allow charter boats on trailers to run out of it,” Garris said. “It's a limited number that the Orange Beach city lets run out of it.”

With inshore charters running a year-round schedule, Garris said the launch offers a respite from the winds in the open bays at other launches during fall and winter months.

“If you launch on County Road 6, you've got about a 300-, 400-yard come around through Bon Secour Bay to get the canal,” Garris said. “If the wind's blowing 25, 30 knots out of the northwest or west-northwest coming around that corner there, it’s tough. The inshore guys use this ramp a lot in these times of the year.”

Walker cited the launches Garris was talking about in Orange Beach by the former toll bridge with six ramps and 284 parking spaces and one on County Road 6 with two ramps and 95 parking spaces as sufficient to meet local needs. Both are just under five miles from the bridge launch.

COUNCILMAN HARRIS DISCLOSURE

Councilman Philip Harris opened the meeting by disclosing he has an ownership interest in 24 Canal LLC, which owns six parcels – four on the west side of the bridge and two on the east – totaling 5.73 acres. A plan was presented for hotels, shops, restaurants and residences for the area in 2023, but nothing has come from the effort.

Harris’ company first paid taxes on the parcels in 2025 after buying the parcels from four separate owners.

“I do have an ownership interest in some property in Waterway Village,” Harris said. “More specifically, property on either side of this boat launch. So, I won't engage in discussion. I won't be making any comments on it. And if this does come to a point where there is a vote, I will certainly not participate in any vote.”