Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Gulf Shores is looking to buy 81 acres in the northern part of the city for $2 million that is owned by Turf Properties, a company the Alabama Secretary of State’s office lists Mayor Robert Craft as the “registered agent.” Craft said on Dec. 12 he still had a 10-percent nonvoting share of Turf Properties.

The city will combine it with a 40-acre tract on the south side of Coastal Gateway Boulevard and directly north of the 81 acres it is making plans to buy. The city is making big plans for the 120 acres of land between Coastal Gateway Boulevard and County Road 6 to add amenities and infrastructure to a rapidly growing residential area. The 40-acre tract was donated to the city by the Craft family in 2016, according to City Administrator Steve Griffin.

“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 that we really need,” Mayor Pro Tem Philip Harris said.

Gulf Shores is making the purchase with an eye for a new school, park and recreation facilities and a north-south roadway as an alternative to State Route 59.

Craft recused himself from the discussion on the item and Harris handled the agenda item at the Dec. 6 meeting. With a unanimous vote the council voted to spend $2 million to purchase the 81 acres.

Griffin said the property has been vetted for wetland delineation, phase one environmental study and a title search on the property has been completed.

“All that together shows that this is an ideal piece of property to expand public park use and other public facilities,” Griffins said. “And, more importantly, provide the right of way that’s needed to connect Coastal Gateway with County Road 6 east.”

Besides adding amenities for the growing area, Griffin said a north-south road in the area would keep traffic from going through neighborhoods to reach County Road 6 from Coastal Gateway Boulevard.

“Unfortunately, a lot of the cars are cutting off and turning through North Craft Farms so the building of this roads provides a new parallel road to highway 59 and gets hopefully away from North Craft Farms and hopefully onto this dedicated roadway,” Griffin said. “The Craft family had donated the 40-acre piece back in 2016 and we’ve been looking at that.”

There’s already a dedicated right of way on the 40-arce parcel where the city is also planning a park and new school. The acquisition of the 81 acres directly south of there, which is listed in Baldwin County tax records as two parcels of 40 and 41 acres, respectively, will give the city further right of way to make the connection. The right of way is directly east of the Crimson Ridge subdivision, according to Baldwin County tax records.

“We’ve been going through some park masterplan efforts led by (Community Development Director) Lee Jones with the 40-acre park/school site,” Griffin said. “They’ve had some public hearings and input and some of the things that are being looked at are not just a park use but a new elementary school, public safety, a fire station.”

With the addition of the 81 acres, Griffin said, the city can start thinking about adding more recreation opportunities similar to the park and center near downtown. The growing neighborhoods east of State Route 59 currently have little in the way of parks and recreation. On County Road 6 west there is the city’s Cultural Center and the Gulf Shores Sportsplex which is widely used for hosting sports tourism and high school athletics.

“This would be an ideal spot I believe for a replica Sims Park and Bodenhamer Center site,” Griffin said.

Griffin said the $2 million price tag for 81 acres is a bargain when the 40-acre tract the city already owns was recently appraised at $1.3 million.

The Craft family also donated two parcels containing 84 acres at the southwest corner of Coastal Gateway Boulevard and the Beach express with future plans to build an education campus with a high school and possibly buildings for college classes.