Gulf Shores City Council to Review $777K Fire Training Tower Bid
John Mullen • September 2, 2025
Council also to discuss FAA grants and Justice Center costs
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Only one bid was opened on July 31 for the tower at the city’s fire training center and the city council will discuss awarding it during an upcoming work session. McInnis Construction has the only bid coming in at $777,082. City staff will recommend the council approve the bid. The new center is located at the west end of East 36th Avenue.
The council will meet on Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. in council chambers at city hall. Normally, the council meets on Mondays but scheduled the Tuesday meeting because of the Labor Day holiday.
“As only one bid was received for this project, the Capital Projects Department will work with the contractor to value-engineer this project, if possible, to lower the construction cost,” a memo from Construction Manager Clint Colvin states. “However, this contract amount will exceed the total approved budget amount for the project. Improvements include the fabrication, delivery, and erection of a four-story training tower for the Gulf Shores Fire Department, including the construction of an exterior stair system and its foundation.
During the work session, the council will also:
- Consider confirming two FAA grants to help fund construction of a terminal apron and an airfield perimeter road to the fuel farm for the airport. The apron grant is for $30,000 with a $1,500 match from the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Gulf Shores Airport Authority. The road grant is for design and will be for $108,000 from the FAA and $6,000 each from ALDOT and the airport authority.
- Discuss change orders to the contract for construction of the Justice Center raising the cost by $184,668 to add an incinerator to destroy confiscated drugs, changes to the intercom, a lightning protection ground counterpoise system, exterior painting and improvements to the groundwater drainage system. The total cost of the construction is $20.9 million.
- Consider reappointing David Mayfield to the Beautification Board for three more years through Sept. 1, 2028.
- Discuss adding language to the noise ordinance, “adding a decibel level to better clarify noise levels based on the date and time the noise is occurring.”
- Consider an agreement with Flock Safety to place license plate reader cameras at 80 locations in Gulf Shores during 2026 for $305,000.
- Discuss an assembly permit for the Alabama Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 20.
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