Blog Layout

Orange Beach to partner with Flora-Bama owners on beachfront restaurant, parking project

John Mullen • Dec 01, 2020

Popeye's Chicken may be coming to Hwy. 161, next to Dollar General

Rendering of restaurant and parking garage tentatively planned for the beach in Orange Beach, Alabama.

(OBA®) – The City of Orange Beach is finally getting some beachfront property thanks to a planned public-private partnership with the owners of the Flora-Bama.


At the Dec. 1 regular meeting, the council voted unanimously to OK an amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow for a restaurant and parking development near the main intersection in town at the State Route 161 and State Route 182. If they deal for the property sale goes through the city will purchase 400 feet of the 800 feet of beachfront on the parcel.


Mayor Tony Kennon said it has been the desire of city leaders for many years to have ownership of some beachfront in Orange Beach but the obstacles and costs of acquiring it were to great to overcome. Until now.


“It never made sense dollar for dollar and the return on what we could purchase,” Kennon said. “The issue being high-density condo pricing, obviously, which was at the top of the market. That was your larger tracts that would be beneficial to us as a city to purchase.”


Comparatively, the Gulf State Park Cotton Bayou Beach Access has about 500 feet of Gulf front and 160 parking spaces. The new project will have more than 800 feet of waterfront and nearly 450 parking spaces for use by the restaurant and for the public to use for beach access. It will include a public restroom building at the southwest corner of the property.


The three-story restaurant will have about 31,000 square feet of restaurant space and a 5,000-foot retail area. Flora-Bama co-owner John McInnis said during the meeting it would be very similar to the Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar in Florida’s 30-A beach area in Santa Rosa.


City Administrator Ken Grimes said after the meeting that the city’s portion would be about $12.5 million and the city would hold title to a parcel with 400 feet of beachfront. During the meeting, Kennon said the city would recoup that over time through sales taxes generated by the restaurant. McInnis said he and his partner, Cameron Price, also a co-owner, are expecting to spend about $30 million. McInnis said he hopes construction can begin this spring with a completion target date of spring of 2022.


It was one of two new restaurants on the drawing board in Orange Beach and discussed during the two meetings. The other an iconic name in fast food, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, on State Route 161.


Plans were presented for the beach project to the Orange Beach Planning Commission on Nov. 30 by WAS Design Landscape Architects for clients for the Gulf front restaurant and parking lot near the intersection of beach road and State Route 161. Later plans and renderings show the construction of a public parking deck with a few condos atop it but whether or not it will be built will be decided after the restaurant and parking lot are completed if it is ever built at all.  The OBA Community Website first reported on the sale of the property to a company owned by McInnis and Price on Oct. 26. (Article)


The project by the Flora-Bama owners came before the Orange Beach City Council during a 1 p.m. Dec. 1 regular meeting and work session. It was on the regular meeting agenda for a public hearing and first reading of a change to the zoning ordinance to allow for changes in a planned unit development on the parcel. Ordinance changes normally require two public hearings and readings before the council can vote but the council suspended the rules to enable immediate consideration for the change. It followed up with the unanimous vote which is required on the vote to suspend the rules and the vote on the ordinance for it to be immediately enacted.


“It’s approximately 830 feet on the beach,” McInnis said in October. “Our goal is to possibly build a restaurant, greenspace, and a condo. We have had a very preliminary discussion with the city about incorporating some type of city resident parking/beach access and significantly decreasing or eliminating condos entirely if we can find a way to make it work. The property is currently entitled for hundreds of condos or hotel rooms but our goal is to significantly reduce what is built on that property. It is the viewing corridor for the public when they hit the beach road from 161, so we would love to see that property remain mostly open and available for the public’s use.”


The property was previously given city approval to build two massive towers on the parcel, Grace and Ascension. Another tower called Transcendence was also approved on the lot east of the parcel McInnis is considering both owned by the Gulf Coast Opportunity Fund. Grace and Ascension would have both topped 35 stories and added 276 vacation rental units and Transcendence would have added 166. (See photo slideshow at the bottom of this article.)

Logo for Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurant.

Popeyes

If you love that chicken from Popeyes you’ll be tickled to know it is part of a plan for a parcel of property on State Route 161 north of the current Dollar General.


As far as the Popeyes location it will be part of a small commercial property on the site.


“It'll be on the north side of Rose Lane,” City Planner Griffin Powell said. “The project will entail a Popeyes chicken restaurant and a future two-tenant commercial building behind it.”


The proposal was discussed at the Dec. 1 work session with the goal of setting a first public hearing date of Jan. 5 in a regular council session.

  • Bama Beach Restaurant

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Aerial view of Bama Beach Restaurant from the south

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

Share this article w/ Friends...

Former Foley Mayor Koniar
By Guy Busby 27 Mar, 2024
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey authorized flags in Foley to be flown at half staff Thursday, March 28, in recognition of former Mayor John Koniar. Koniar, 80, died Friday at his home in Foley. In issuing the order, Ivey authorized Mayor Ralph Hellmich to direct that flags in Foley be at half staff from sunrise until sunset Thursday. In a statement, she said Koniar had a long history of dedicated service to Foley and the country.
Bike Rack Stock Photo
By R. Ken Cooper 27 Mar, 2024
The Foley Main Street Community Foundation, on behalf of multiple local stakeholders, has announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) to create artistic bicycle racks to enhance Downtown Foley. This initiative seeks to combine practicality with artistry, providing secure and aesthetically pleasing bicycle storage solutions.
Baldwin County 911 New Director
By OBA Staff 27 Mar, 2024
In a move that bolsters the Baldwin County 911 Center's leadership and operational capabilities, the Board, chaired by David Wilson, has appointed Kristi Stamnes as the new Director. Bringing an extensive background in public safety and emergency response leadership, Stamnes is poised to take the helm at the center. With the recent restructuring to include two Deputy Directors, the center is set to tackle the challenges of unprecedented growth in the county. Stamnes's appointment is seen as a strategic step in ensuring excellence in customer service and fostering the development of future leaders within the organization.
Alabama's Red Snapper Season Opens in Gulf of Mexico May 24th
By OBA Staff 26 Mar, 2024
The Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that Alabama state waters and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest on Friday, May 24, 2024. The season will consist of four-day weekends, Friday through Monday, beginning Friday, May 24, and continue until the private angler quota is projected to be met. Additionally, the entire week that includes Independence Day (July 1-5) will be open for red snapper fishing.
Wesley Nance
By OBA Staff 26 Mar, 2024
Late Sunday night, the Foley Police Department rushed to a home on Park Avenue after getting calls about a fight. They found 29-year-old James Ryan Vaughn from Foley with stab wounds. A witness told police that James's brother, 33-year-old Wesley Nathanael Nance, also from Foley, stabbed him during a fight and then ran away.
Spring is Blossoming on the Alabama Gulf Coast
By Puffer Thompson 26 Mar, 2024
As spring unfolds along Alabama's Gulf Coast, there’s no shortage of natural beauty to be found in the azaleas, magnolia blossoms, and dogwood trees that surround us. But take a closer look and you’ll find a diverse tapestry of other plant life that thrives in our area.
Foley Improving Access On Graham Creek Park Road
By Guy Busby 26 Mar, 2024
A project to improve Philomene Holmes Boulevard will provide better access through Foley’s Graham Creek Nature Preserve. The Foley City Council voted to approve the project at its last meeting. The work includes paving part of the boulevard, but leaving some of the route through the park as a gravel road. The gravel section of the road would be bordered by concrete to keep the rocks from being washed into the woods.
Foley Police Cruiser
By OBA Staff 25 Mar, 2024
The Foley Police Department released a statement about a homicide investigation that began last night (March 24, 2024). The incident, which involved a stabbing, occurred on the 400 block of Park Avenue at approximately 11 p.m. This is the second stabbing to take place in Foley this past weekend.
Easter Fun and Worship Services This Week on the Gulf Coast
By Jessica A. Taylor 25 Mar, 2024
It’s all cotton tails and bunny trails this week on the Gulf Coast. From exciting golden egg prize adventures to Easter bonnets and Easter photos boat-style we've got some excellent options to choose from. Test your rock climbing skills, or surfing balance at the Wharf egg race and enjoy live music from one beach to the next.
Orange Beach Lions Club Hosts Rubber Duck Race for Charity
By R. Ken Cooper 25 Mar, 2024
The Orange Beach Lions Club is gearing up for its annual 2024 Rubber Duck Race. This unique fundraiser will take place at The Oasis Resort's lazy river inside The Wharf on Saturday, April 20th. The event, scheduled from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., promises fun for all attendees.
Show More
Share by: