Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Auburn University and Orange Beach officials celebrated a major breakthrough Thursday with the start of construction on a new research station. The facility, backed by Auburn's engineering college, is expected to boost environmental studies along the Gulf Coast. Leaders from the university joined city, county, and state representatives to mark the start of the project. The research center is designed to help protect natural resources and support the community’s future.

The groundbreaking event took place on July 24, 2025, on Walker Avenue next to Orange Beach’s Coastal Resources Office. The 21,000-square-foot, two-story building overlooks Terry Cove and is set to open in fall 2026. It will have direct access to coastal waters, which is expected to help researchers studying the area’s environment.

Planning for the station had gone on for several years before Thursday’s ceremony. Auburn University worked with local and state agencies, including the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council, to secure funding. The university received over $14 million as part of the RESTORE Act, which was created after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, making this project one of more than 175 funded by spill recovery money.

The new building will include modern laboratories, offices, and meeting spaces for research and community outreach. Both floors feature outdoor areas with views of the Gulf. Plans also call for the research station to form partnerships with other universities, starting with the University of South Alabama, which joins Auburn as a founding partner.

Auburn President Chris Roberts praised local leaders, especially Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon and Coastal Resources Director Phillip West, for their role in bringing the project to life. Roberts said the project began when he was dean of engineering and is a major part of Auburn’s 2035 plan. He called the facility a “catalyst” that would spark new ways to work together and support the community.

Mayor Kennon shared that Auburn University helped Orange Beach respond to the 2010 oil spill and hold BP accountable. He stated that having a coastal research center run by Auburn, in partnership with other universities, is a big achievement for the city and sets a strong example for young people.

Mario Eden, Auburn’s engineering dean, spoke about how the RESTORE Act allows federal investment in coastal restoration and science. He said the new station will let researchers study water quality, marine health, and the impact of people on the environment. Eden emphasized that “it’s about finding real solutions to protect our coastal communities,” not just about university work.

The station will also have outreach programs to educate residents and visitors on the natural, historical, and cultural resources of the area. Environmental education will be a core part of these efforts, bringing science directly to the public.

Chris Blankenship, Alabama’s Conservation Commissioner, noted that the research station is one of more than 175 projects in Mobile and Baldwin counties made possible by Deepwater Horizon recovery funds. Over $1 billion has been spent in the region, including over $84 million in Orange Beach alone. Other local projects have restored wildlife habitats, improved roads, and upgraded sewer systems.

Blankenship said that research done at the new facility would help people better understand Alabama’s coast and improve life for families and businesses. The facility supports the 2016 Gulf Coast restoration plan, which tackles challenges like storms, economic hardships, and support for key industries such as tourism and fisheries.

The general contractor for the project is Mobile-based Persons Services Corporation, while architecture firm ArchitectureWorks in Birmingham designed the building. More details about the facility can be found on Auburn’s website. Community leaders say the collaboration between Auburn University, Orange Beach, and partner institutions is setting the stage for discoveries that will benefit the coast for years to come.