Orange Beach Seeks Grant for First Responder Safe Room Project
John Mullen • September 17, 2024
Council to Vote on Multi-Use Trail and Storage Expansion
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach is considering authorizing a grant application to build a safe room for first responders during storms for a total of $6.2 million with the city’s 10 percent match at $627,916 if the grant is awarded.
The council will meet in a joint work/regular session on Sept. 17th at 5 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.
Orange Beach qualified for the grant program when FEMA declared a disaster after Hurricane Sally on Sept. 16, 2020.
“The city wishes to construct a first responder safe room to act as a base of operations for our emergency response teams during future disasters,” the resolution states. “First Responder Safe Rooms are considered eligible for funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.”
During the regular session, the council will:
- Considering the approval of payment for goods and services from Sept. 5-19 for $578,359.
- Discuss declaring Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in remembrance of the 237th anniversary of the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
- Consider an ordinance change to approve additional mini storage buildings at Keel Storage on the north side of Canal Road west of Sam’s Stop N Shop.
- Discuss naming Mayor Tony Kennon and council members Jeff Boyd, Joni Blalock, Jerry Johnson, Annette Mitchell and Jeff Silvers and City Administrator Ford Handley to the city’s Solid Waste Disposal Authority.
- Consider a contract with Tanner Myatt for golf instruction services.
- Discuss awarding the bid for the Canal Road multi-use trail connectivity projects. Bids were opened on Sept. 12 and Wiregrass Construction was the winning bidder at $3.6 million.
During the work session, the council will discuss:
- Annexing property on Roscoe Road and owned by David Gatlin into the city of Orange Beach.
- Changes to the city golf cart ordinance.
- Awarding a bid for building the Coastal Alabama Sea Turtle Center for triage of injured sea turtles. Bids are scheduled to be opened on Sept. 26.
- Awarding a bid for tent rentals for the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach. Bids are scheduled to be opened on Sept. 26.
- A contract with J.F. Morris Performance for theater direction for “Shrek The Musical.”
- A resolution authorizing a contract with Peak Software Systems for Golf Center member management software for $4,485.
- A resolution accepting a proposal from ThreatAdvice Security Services to connect the field house and batting cage buildings at the Sportsplex to the fiber network for $19,280.
- A resolution authorizing a contract with Watermark Design Group to provide design, bid, and construction administration services for roof replacement at the Expect Excellence Music Building following the April 2021 hailstorm for $15,200.
- Setting a public hearing for an ordinance change to allow residents of Fish Camp Landing to improve and expand the marina to 52 slips to offer a slip for each residence in the subdivision.
- Setting a public hearing for a change in the sign ordinance to allow an expansion of the Columbia Southern University’s sign on the Foley Beach Express.
Share this article w/ Friends...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Residents and visitors along the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast will celebrate the start of 2026 with traditional cold-water plunges. These annual events draw thousands of people to the shoreline to jump into the Gulf at high noon. Local venues in Gulf Shores and Perdido Key provide food...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Families in Orange Beach will have the opportunity to start the new year outdoors with a guided First Day Hike at Gulf State Park. Park naturalists will lead the event and is suitable for all ages. Organizers say the hike will follow a paved, easy-to-walk path. It also provides several spo
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Gulf Coast residents are once again being encouraged to support coastal dune restoration by recycling their live Christmas trees. For over 30 years, this environmental initiative has played a vital role in strengthening the dunes that protect the coastal ecosystem, provide wildlife habitats
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Greek culture will take center stage at the Orange Beach Event Center when the 2026 edition of Greek Night at the Beach returns. The evening will feature traditional dishes, lively music, and authentic dancing. Organizers say the event is meant to make everyone feel Greek for one night.
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Tacky Jacks is offering a whole “Winter of Fun” to keep locals and visitors busy along the Alabama coast. Both the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach locations are rolling out art classes, hands-on nature programs, and guided wine and beer tastings. The seasonal lineup is built around creativity,
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley leaders say the city is on track for another busy year of growth and construction. In his latest State of the City address, Mayor Ralph Hellmich described projects that will add services and improve residents' daily lives. He discussed the new buildings, street and road improvements, and...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — New Year’s Eve on the Gulf Coast offers something for everyone, from early ball drops and confetti showers for kids to chef-driven dinners, themed bar parties, and late-night live music. Families can ring in 2026 at noon or well before midnight, while night owls have their pick...
Residents of the beach are very aware that the price of a condo rental on the 4th of July is going to be more expensive than during the month of November. The price of a flight to New York City during Christmas is going to be much higher than a weekday flight in February. This is called dynamic pricing and it is rates
While Christmas is now a popular American celebration, its path to official recognition was long and regionally divided. For much of early American history, the holiday was actually suppressed. The Puritans of New England, viewing the celebrations as "popish" and rowdy, famously banned Christmas in the 17th century.
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Finding a place to eat on Christmas Day can be challenging, but here are a few local favorites that will be open for the holiday. Whether you are looking for a traditional community potluck, a hearty prime rib dinner, or a basket of famous fried shrimp, there are plenty of options for those
