Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The city council will discuss two Transportation Alternatives Program grants for improvements to East First Street between East 16th Avenue and East 20th Avenue and a new sidewalk for West Beach Boulevard.

The council will meet May 5 at 4 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.

One of these projects is about to kick off as the council will discuss awarding the bid for sidewalk and other improvements along East First Street.

“Improvements include the enclosure of drainage on the east side of East First Street to allow for installation of sidewalks, along with the construction of 1,150 linear feet of new sidewalks to connect East 20th Avenue to East 16th Avenue and resurfacing of this portion of the street,” a memo from Construction Manager Clint Colvin states.

The bid from L&K Construction came in at $826,899 and staff will recommend $849,000 for the project. Funding from the TAP grant administered by the Alabama Department of Transportation will cover 80 percent of the cost.

According to another memo from Colvin, the city is beginning the process of applying for a TAP grant to help with the cost of the West Beach project.

“This project will enhance pedestrian access and safety along West Beach Boulevard by creating a 10-foot-wide concrete sidewalk/multi-use path detached from the travel lane,” the memo states.

This project is just more than $1 million with TAP again providing 80 if the grant is awarded. The city matching portion will be $210,275.

During the work session, the council will also discuss:

• Appointing Andrew Hart to the Public Parks and Recreation Board, Andy Bauer and Matt Young to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, David Stewart to the Board of Zoning Adjustments and Edgar McKee to the Airport Authority.
• Establish electronic vote counters for the Aug. 26 municipal election.
• Accepting streets in Raley Farms Phase 2 into the city for maintenance. The streets include a portion of Preston Way, Winters Avenue, Camp Street and a portion of Parkerman Avenue.
• A conditional use permit for Gulf Shores Utilities to place a water tower near the new Gulf Shores High School.
• A conditional use permit for Mediacom to build a 973-square-foot addition to its building at 2320 E. Second St.
• An annexation request from Mark Halco for his home at 5083 Skiff Lane near the south bank of the Bon Secour River.
• A public assembly permit for the Robertsdale Rotary Club’s annual Hot to Trot 5K run at LuLu’s at Homeport Marina on June 14.