Orange Beach Expands Sidewalks on Canal Road and Beyond

John Mullen • February 4, 2025

Library and Senior Center set for major renovations

Orange Beach City Hall

Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – While work has already begun on a 10-foot sidewalk on the west end of Canal Road and some sidewalks have already poured, the city also has plans to put the sidewalks along Commercial Avenue.

 

On Feb. 4, the city council will consider a contract with Thompson Engineering to provide construction inspections and administration services for $54,542 for work along the north side of Canal Road along Commercial Avenue.

 

A sidewalk in front of the Cumberland gas station and convenience store is nearly complete and crews are doing site work in front of Cypress Village across the street from Orange Beach Middle/High School. Plans are also in place to widen sidewalks from Wilson Boulevard east to Bay La Launch Avenue at the entrance to Bear Point. See related story.

 

During the regular session, the council will discuss:

 

  • Approving payment for goods and services for $850,797 for the previous two weeks.
  • Appropriating $20,000 to the Pensacola Estuary Program.
  • Rejecting all bids for two vehicles for the Community Development Department after the only bid received came in over budget. The bids will be redone with alternate options on the vehicles.
  • Awarding a bid for pouring and vending rights to Coca-Cola.
  • Awarding a $357,000 bid to Green-Simmons for renovations at the Senior Center.
  • Awarding a $535,552 bid to Klarman & Day General Contractors for renovations at the library.
  • Awarding a bid to Sally Wyrick for water aerobic classes at the Aquatics Center.
  • Authorizing franchises for Alabama Container Company, TDB Construction, Republic Services and Bishop Enterprises to remove solid waste and construction debris in the city.
  • Purchasing three 2025 Tahoes for the police department from McSweeney Auto Group from Clanton for $143,551.
  • An ordinance amendment to add a “Wildlife Friendly Lighting” section “to establish outdoor lighting standards for the protection of wildlife in the beach overlay district.”
  • An ordinance amendment removing residency requirements for the planning commission’s administrative seat or city staffers appointed to the board.

 

During the work session, the council will discuss:

 

  • A consulting contract with the Andy Andrews Group for employee training.
  • Supporting an effort to develop a countywide bicycle-pedestrian plan.
  • Awarding bids for an Enduras wireless radiography system, two vehicles for the Coastal Resources Department and one for the police department. Bids will be opened on Feb. 13.
  • A resolution to add a discounted tournament fee for Orange Beach schools at the Orange Beach Golf Center.
  • Establishing the annual salaries of the mayor, mayor pro tem and city council members. Each council does so in an election year to set the pay for the incoming council.
  • Setting a public hearing on the request to change the Cactus Cantina planned unit development's zoning back to its original neighborhood business zoning. The parcel is north of the Dollar General on State Route 161. The suggested date is Feb. 18.
  • Setting a public hearing to amend regulations regarding sidewalks in the beach overlay district. The suggested date is Feb. 18.
  • Setting a public hearing date for a zoning change on 25 acres west of the former toll bridge office to planned unit development for a townhouse project with 136 units planned. The suggested date is Feb. 18.

Share this article w/ Friends...

Country Legend Willie Nelson Set to Play Orange Beach in May
By R. Ken Cooper April 8, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Willie Nelson is returning to the Alabama Gulf Coast for a night of live music at The Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach. The country legend and his band, Willie Nelson & Family, will perform as part of the C Spire Concert Series. The show is presented by Live Nation. It is his first....
City of Gulf Shores Seeks Public Input on Playground Redesign
By OBA Staff April 8, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores is asking its residents to help shape the future of one of its most treasured parks. The city has started a community-led project called Reimagine Kids Park. The goal is to rebuild the wooden playground at Johnnie Sims Park. The original structure has served families for 30 years
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
By OBA Staff April 8, 2026
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is renowned for its September 2004 evacuation prompted by Hurricane Ivan, a formidable Category 3 storm heading straight for Gulf Shores, which resulted in a mandatory evacuation. Zoo Director Patti Hall faced a unique challenge for a U.S. zoo director: coordinating the care and safety of...
Crews Are Ready To Start Resurfacing Innerarity Point Road
By OBA Staff April 8, 2026
Perdido Key, Fla. — (OBA) — Drivers on Innerarity Point Road in Escambia County should prepare for lane closures next week. Resurfacing work is scheduled to begin as crews work to repave the roadway. The project includes Innerarity Point Road between Sorrento Road and Kaiser Lane. Motorists are advised to slow down...
Orange Beach Makos Softball Holds Firm As Nation's Top-Ranked Team
By R, Ken Cooper April 7, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Orange Beach Makos varsity girls softball team is still the best in the country. The Makos stayed undefeated Monday night with a 13-3 victory over McCracken County. They now have a season record of 26-0. MaxPreps, the CBS Sports-owned platform for high school sports, ranks them No. 1 in
Raise a Glass: Big Beach Brewing Company Celebrates National Beer Day
By OBA Staff April 7, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores has a lot to offer — white sand, warm water, and a brewery that locals and visitors keep returning to. Big Beach Brewing Company is located at 300 E. 24th Ave., right in the heart of town. It holds the title of the southernmost brewery in Alabama. And on National Beer Day...
Foley Main Street Asks Residents To Shape The Future Of Downtown
By OA Staff April 7, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley Main Street has launched a new survey to help shape the future of Downtown Foley. The survey is open to residents, workers, and visitors. It collects community input to guide economic development and attract new businesses. Organizers say the results will influence which new businesses move
Orange Beach City Hall
By John Mullen April 7, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach is moving forward with its effort to sell the Orange Beach Center at The Wharf. The city is looking to develop a civic center on the south side of Canal Road, across from the city property that includes the Senior Center, library, Coastal Center for the Arts, and Waterfront...
Sandy Toes, Rock Climbing Walls & So Much More: Your Gulf Coast Week Starts Here
By Jessica A. Taylor April 6, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — This week on the Alabama Gulf Coast, the atmosphere is a perfect mix of laid-back and lively—the best of both worlds. Whether you're in the mood for fresh seafood by the water, looking to enjoy a fun-filled karaoke night, seeking a place for the kids to burn off some energy indoors, or...
Gulf Shores City Hall
By John Mullen April 6, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – As the day for opening closes in, Gulf Shores is considering several moves toward completion of the new Gulf Shores High School complex. Coming before the council are two additional message boards, data and athletic training space improvements, moving a lot line, and conveying the property..
Show More