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...

VEX AIR Drone Competition
By OBA Staff • November 8, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores High School is set to make robotics history next month. The school's Hyperwave robotics program will host the world premiere of the VEX AIR Drone Competition. No team anywhere on the planet has competed in VEX AIR before this event. The game's creators and VEX Robotics leadershi
Baldwin County 911 Address Changes
By OBA Staff • November 8, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Some Orange Beach residents could soon receive new street addresses. Baldwin County 911 is preparing changes that will affect certain city streets. Affected residents should receive notification letters. Officials say the changes are intended to improve public safety and emergency response
First Gulf Shores 101 Citizenship Academy Graduates
By OBA Staff • November 8, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores wrapped up its first-ever Gulf Shores 101 Citizenship Academy after eight weeks of programming that gave residents a close look at how city government operates. Thirty residents participated in the inaugural class. The academy covered departments, services, and the employees who
October Real Estate Report
By OBA Staff • November 7, 2026
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — Average residential sales prices increased across both resort and traditional markets in October 2026, according to the latest monthly statistical report from Baldwin REALTORS®.
Alabama Supreme Court
By OBA Staff • November 7, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Alabama Supreme Court upheld a $900,000 jury verdict against Walmart after a fatal traffic accident in Gulf Shores. The case involved alcohol purchased at the company's Orange Beach store. The buyer was underage and used a fake driver's license. The jury found Walmart liable.
Foley Activity Center Ribbon Cutting
By OBA Staff • November 7, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — A building that sheltered Foley's National Guard soldiers for more than half a century has found a new purpose as a community hub. The city of Foley dedicated its new Activity Center on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, in a ceremony honoring both the past and the future. Local officials, veterans, Nationa
Orange Beach Football Makes History
By OBA Staff • November 6, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — In the opening round of the AHSAA Class 4A playoffs at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, the Orange Beach Makos secured a 21–20 victory over the top-seeded Charles Henderson Trojans. The win marks Orange Beach's first postseason victory and makes head coach Wade Waldrop the program's winn
Commissioners Jeb Ball, Matt McKenzie, Billie Jo Underwood, and Charles
By OBA Staff • November 6, 2026
Baldwin County, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County is honoring three longtime commissioners as they conclude their time in public office. Commissioners Charles "Skip" Gruber, Jeb Ball, and Matt McKenzie are being recognized for their years of dedication and service to the county and its residents. Each has devoted signific
Beach Express Roundabout
By K. Cooper • November 6, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are working to clarify which city has jurisdiction over a new roundabout north of the Intracoastal Waterway. The proposed agreement would define the two cities' boundaries. Police already assist each other in the area. The cities are also discussing additional
Orange Beach Aquatics Center Plans
By K. Cooper • November 6, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach is moving forward with plans to expand and renovate its Aquatics Center. The City Council approved up to $274,000 for construction oversight. The contract covers the project's first phase. Plans include a larger leisure pool, additional building space, and updated pool decks.
Show More