ALDOT to fund additional sidewalk improvements in beach district

ALDOT to fund additional sidewalk improvements in beach district
City signs contract for input on how to best use its parcel in vicinity of SBRMC emergency room
By John Mullen
Gulf Shores is tapping into a Transportation Alternatives Program grant to fund the start of sidewalk improvements in the Beach Walking District west of State Route 59 at its June 14 regular meeting.
“The city received an ALDOT Transportation Alternatives Program grant that is providing up to $640,000 for sidewalk construction,” City Engineer Mark Acreman said. “The TAP grant agreement says the sidewalk improvements have to be bid separately from the roadway, parking and drainage improvements and the sidewalk contract was awarded after construction on those was underway. According to the grant agreement 80 percent of the CE&I costs on the sidewalks project are reimbursable.”
Also, during the meeting, the council Authorized the mayor to execute a professional services contract with Noell Consulting Group to conduct a market analysis to better understand the market potential for future development of various land uses citywide and within targeted development areas such as the Medical Village, Waterway Village and Gulf Beach District.
On the sidewalk work, Gulf Shores will have to pay $16,972 toward the total cost of $84,862 and its share will be taken from $5 million that is budgeted for the Beach Walking District.
“Phase one primarily consisted of West Second Avenue being extended to West Second Street and West First Street and West Second Street pedestrian and parking and drainage improvements,” Acreman said. “We will get to the second phase later on this year which will include some work on the east side as well as future improvements that will come in future budget years.”
Acreman said the work will consist of widening sidewalks in the area with decorative pavers at some crossings and building new parking spaces throughout the area.
Land Use Study
The contract to study future development will cost the city about $50,000.
“It will be about an eight-week process for them to really dive into the data and meet with some local business owners and real estate agents and local developers and understand some of the things that are going on in our market,” Economic Development Coordinator Blake Phelps said. “And understand some of the market drivers and influences that are happening. We look forward to having this done mid to late summer that way we’ll have this data to move forward and continue some of the conservations that we’re having with interested parties.”
Phelps said the Finance Committee reviewed the plan and gave a “very favorable recommendation” to move forward with the contract. The concentration will be on the land the city bought in the vicinity of the new South Baldwin Freestanding Emergency Department near the intersection of State Route 59 and Cotton Creek Drive.
“This will give us really good ideas of what the highest and best use of the property is we bought up there,” Mayor Robert Craft said. “We get one chance to do that and the medical opportunities there are abundant but there are a lot other questions being asked. I think it’s really wise for us to have a plan to make sure we accomplish that medical objective that we had when we bought the land.”
At June 14 regular meeting, council:
• OK’d an update to the amended 2021 international building codes and supplements to the code.
• Accepted a proposal from Fabre Engineering and Surveying to provide services for a proposed roundabout for Regency Road/Clubhouse Drive in an amount of $48,250.
• OK’d an assembly permit for the 2021 Music at Meyer Park inaugural summer concert series on Thursdays on June 17, July 15 and Aug. 19.
• OK’d an assembly permit for the annual Gulf Shores Fourth of July fireworks show and OK’d a contract with Pyro Shows for $27,295. Fireworks will be shot from the Gulf State Park Pier at 9 p.m. on July 4.
• OK’d a taxi franchise for Mary Catsban for Mary’s Taxi Service.
• Gave the approval for staff to pursue a grant worth $10,000 grant from the 2022 Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council Grant Program for recycling stations at Gulf Shores City Schools to promote environmental awareness and increase sustainability efforts in our community.
• The council also approved appointments and reappointments to the following boards and commissions:
– Reappoint Andy Bauer and Matt Young – Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee – four-year term ending May 8, 2025
– Reappoint Sted McCollough – Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals Board – four-year term ending June 12, 2025.
– Reappoint Sheila Hodges – Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Board – four-year term ending June 28, 2025.
– Reappoint Tom Giles – Gulf Shores Utilities Board – six-year term ending June 5, 2027.
– Appoint Peggi Brewton – Library Advisory Board to fill the unexpired term of Paula Teipel ending Nov. 1, 2024.