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...

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Welcomes Critically Endangered Red Wolves
By OBA Staff December 17, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Visitors to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo will soon meet two rare new residents. The Gulf Shores Zoo has welcomed a pair of critically endangered American red wolves to their habitat. The brothers are named Jenkins and Walker. Both wolves are approximately two and a half years old.
The Wharf And Heather Loper Team Up To Support Toys For Tots
By OBA Staff December 17, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Wharf in Orange Beach turned winter fun into real help for local children this holiday season. Working with Heather Loper And Associates at Keller Williams Alabama Gulf Coast, the entertainment district raised thousands of dollars through a special skating program. Visitors enjoyed...
Foley Plans New Streetlights To Make Intersections Safer
By OBA Staff December 17, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley drivers will soon see brighter intersections across the city. City leaders have approved new street lights at several busy spots. The changes are meant to make night driving safer for everyone. The main focus is a dark crossing on James Road.
Orange Beach Garden Club Hosts Second Annual Christmas Carols At Museum Tonight
By OBA Staff December 16, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Residents of Orange Beach have another chance to celebrate the holidays together tonight at the Orange Beach Museum. The Orange Beach Garden Club is inviting the community to the second annual Christmas Carols at the Museum. The event will feature music, refreshments, and festive decoration
MAAAC Sponsorships Reach One Million Dollars For Orange Beach Schools
By OBA Staff December 16, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach City Schools has reached a major milestone in its effort to support students through community partnerships. Working with the Makos Academics Arts and Athletics Club, known as MAAAC, the district has now secured more than one million dollars in sponsorships. School leaders say
Twenty-Four New Firefighters Graduate In Orange Beach Ceremony
By OBA Staff December 16, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The ranks of first responders in south Alabama grew stronger this past week. A group of new firefighters completed their rigorous training to serve local communities. They celebrated their transition from recruits to sworn professionals during a formal ceremony held in Orange Beach.
Orange Beach City Hall
By John Mullen December 16, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach is preparing a surplus list to be sold at auction to the public. Included in this latest lot are more than 20 vehicles from dump trucks to pickups to sedans. Even an ambulance. The city will advertise the list and arrange for the sale of the vehicles and other items the city...
Gulf Shores Eyes Expansion of its Gulf Front Walking District
By John Mullen December 16, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Gulf Shores is looking at expanding the Walking Area Overlay District in the area near the intersection of Beach Boulevard and State Route 59, or Gulf Shores Parkway. The city began working on a walking district after designating the area in 2005. This move would add 152 properties to the...
Police Say Scam Messages Use Real Property Details To Trick Victims
By OBA Staff December 15, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Orange Beach Police Department is warning residents and local contractors about a new email scam that targets people involved in subdivision and permit applications. The scam messages pretend to be official notices from the City of Orange Beach Planning Commission. They often...
Philip Rivers May 2020 Announcement about St. Michael's
By OBA Staff December 15, 2025
Fairhope, Ala. — (OBA) — In one of the most extraordinary stories in recent NFL history, Philip Rivers—the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama—has come out of retirement to rejoin the Indianapolis Colts, nearly five years after throwing his last NFL pass.
Show More