Orange Beach, Ala. - (OBA) - Hurricane Sally may have wreaked havoc on the Perdido Pass Seawall Park, but the renewal project is set to commence on Tuesday, May 30th, just after the Memorial Day weekend. The first phase of the rejuvenation, set to transform the west side of the park and its parking lot, is expected to last 35–40 days, weather permitting.

During this initial phase, park goers need not worry. The north side of the park and the parking space under the bridge will stay accessible to the public. The area that's under repair will be fenced off until work is completed, after which the restoration project will shift focus to the north side of the park.

This revitalization is a collaborative endeavor, with a significant portion recognized as a FEMA project. The City Council awarded the repair contract to MD Thomas Construction, LLC, amounting to $695,597.05.

Perdido Pass Seawall Park and its fishing area are ordinarily under the jurisdiction of the Alabama Department of Transportation. However, safety concerns led to its closure in 2012. After years of seeing one of the city's treasured locations fenced off, the City Council decided to breathe life back into it, for both local fishermen and tourists to relish the park's unique charm.

Orange Beach made substantial improvements in the park, spending over $200,000 to rehabilitate the most perilous areas and add appealing landscaping, including palm trees, improved lighting, a boardwalk, and benches. This rejuvenated park reopened its gates to the public in 2017.

Unfortunately, Hurricane Sally struck in September 2020, damaging most of the park's boardwalks, foundations, and utility lines, rendering large sections of the park unsafe. The planned restoration will not only fix the damage, but will also include an extension of the boardwalk north of the bridge and parking enhancements, marking Phase 3 of the overall park improvements.