Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – A lot of changes are in the works in the Gulf Pines neighborhood in the area framed by the 90-degree turn at Tacky Jacks including a detour around the turn through the neighborhood and streetscapes planned to improve the streets with landscaping, benches and other amenities.

The latest could be the inclusion of the streets there in the golf cart ordinance for the city. Adding those streets will be discussed at the May 6 council work session at 4 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.

“The city has received citizen requests to amend the golf cart ordinance to allow operation of golf carts within the Gulf Pines neighborhood,” a memo to the council states. “Golf cart operations are limited to streets that have a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less, have been specifically designated as streets where cart operation is allowed, and to the hours between sunrise to 10 p.m. only. Carts must have numerous items of safety equipment, including seat belts, and each will be inspected by police personnel prior to authorized operation. Cart-designated streets will be marked with appropriate signage by the Streets Department.”

The detour is necessary when construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway begins possibly later this year. It will close the 90-degree turn and traffic will be rerouted through the neighborhood.

In late 2023, the city awarded a $1.8 million bid to Asphalt Services to make improvements to East Third Street from Canal Road to East 22nd Avenue and from there to East Second Street.

“There’s going to be a traffic signal at 22nd Avenue and another traffic signal at Third Street at 24th Avenue,” Construction Manager Clint Colvin said. “Then repaving and a little bit of widening and some sidewalks.”

Because of this work and the traffic volume expected, Colvin is asking that golf cart traffic be limited to east of East Third Street and south of State Route 180 or Canal Drive.

During the work session, the council will also discuss:

• Hiring Engineering Design Group for $23,600 for survey and platting services for the city’s new justice center at the old Sacred Heart Medical building south of Cotton Creek Drive or County Road 4 and east of State Route 59.
• Accepting a proposal from Neel-Shaffer for design services for improvements to County Road 6 or Oak Road West for $140,954. The entire project is $4.2 million and will include widening of the County Road 6 intersection with State Route 59 and a sidewalk. The project will be funded in part by a federal BUILD grant or Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development.
• Authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Gulf Shores Utilities for reimbursement of $3.5 million for relocation of utilities on the west side of State Route 59 from the bridge north to County Road 6 for the ongoing widening project adding a third southbound lane on the roadway. The total project will cost $4.5 million and the extra million is for upgrades Gulf Shores Utilities wants to make to existing infrastructure along the relocation route.
• Increasing the general fund revenue by $2 million in part to “fund salaries and operating expense to the general fund and increase general fund revenues $2,020,250 for beach fund revenues.”
• Amending the city ordinance to add regulations for screened enclosures that do not cover a pool and moving the regulations for swimming pools and tennis court screened enclosures to the appropriate location within the ordinance.
• Awarding the bid for the heating and air units for Fire Station No. 1 to Coastal Construction for $680,961. The city previously paid $43,270 for design services for the system to Dell Consulting and in February bought $240,227 worth of equipment from Trane to replace the current systems.
• Awarding a bid for City Store merchandise to Empire Printing for various apparel items.