“We’re putting an orchestra pit in, some additional baths and on the back, we’re adding on roughly 200 feet what they call a black box theater,” Mayor Tony Kennon said. “There’s going to be a band room for the high school. It’s going to be very, very multi-use.”

The city first agreed to pay $7.2 million toward the cost of the Performing Arts Center and in June increased it by about $53,000 to increase the capacity of the women’s restrooms. The initial cost of the center was estimated at $8.6 million with the Baldwin County Board of Education paying $1.4 million of that cost. The additions will push the final price close to $11 million.

Also, during the meeting, the council approved a variance for Moe’s Original Bar B Que to operate a food truck until repairs can be made from a May 25 fire. Kennon also announced renovations planned at the Kids Park at Waterfront Park.

Kennon said the new center at the school will serve many functions for the city and the school. It will add the black box theater, a dance room, band room and orchestra pit and the bathroom modifications.

“We got so many things taking off and we’ve got so many opportunities to bring in acts throughout the year,” Kennon said. “This is not just for the kids. This is going to be for the parents and the community in a lot of different ways. Essentially, after school and weekends, it’s ours. That’s the way the contract reads. We’re going to be bringing in country acts, maybe bringing in comedians, doing plays. All those types of things. And the school has use of it as well.”

The new facility will contain a total of 28,000-square-foot facility including a 710-seat theater.

MOE’S FOOD TRUCK

Councilmembers praised Moe’s Original Bar B Que for its work in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic while granting a six-month variance to operate the food truck in the parking lot of the restaurant.

“Guys y’all are very loved in this community and we are very grateful for all you do,” Councilman Jeff Boyd said. “The cops, the firemen, everybody loves you and we just appreciate you. Thanks for getting back up and running.”

One of the co-owners, Mark White, said the outpouring of the community in the aftermath of the fire has been overwhelming.

“The support from the town and the community and everybody has been absolutely unbelievable,” White said.

The variance ends in six months but council members told the owners if they haven’t been able to rebuild by then it could be extended. 

“We’ll make it work,” Kennon said. “We’ll make it happen.”

KIDS PARK

Concerns about the safety of some of the equipment at the park have the council looking to eventually rebuild it completely. Most of it will be torn down immediately but the swings and pirate ship will stay in place through the summer with major renovations coming after the busy season.

“We are going to demolish the current kids park and rebuild it,” Kennon said. “But we decided to move forward with it immediately because it’s in bad enough shape we can’t take a chance on someone being injured. We’re coming back with something nicer, bigger and better and newer. In the interim for the summer, we are going to take down the structures that are dilapidated, which is the majority of it.” 

During the regular session, the council:

• Passed resolution authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with Thompson Consulting Services to provide disaster debris monitoring, emergency management planning and disaster grant consulting services. 
• Passed a resolution awarding the bid for Used Outdoor Modular LED Video Panels to Dorsett Productions Unlimited LLC in the amount of $76,002. 
• Passed a resolution extending the moratorium on the issuance of building permits for single and multi-family developments to be located in general business districts with a new expiration date of Sept. 30. Staff is to make recommendations by Sept. 1 on handling these permits after Sept. 30.

During the work session, the council discussed:

• A resolution authorizing a contract with Thompson Engineering to perform professional construction engineering and inspection services for the proposed Lauder Lane turn lane in an amount not to exceed $6,480.
• Three resolutions about work for Harbor Communications to connect fiber to Fire Station 2 and the new public works facility and to increase bandwidth at the Orange Beach Event Center.
• A resolution awarding the bid for Public Works building mechanical work.
• A resolution awarding the bid for renovations to the baseball and softball Complex.
• An ordinance appointing Steve Brown as Chief of Police for the City of Orange Beach. 
• Setting public hearing on a planned unit development modification for Beach Village a 69-lot cottage development east of Lartigue’s Seafood on Perdido Beach Boulevard. The suggested date is June 16.
• Considered setting a public hearing date for a modification to The Wharf’s PUD to make changes to its reader board sign. The suggested date is June 16.
• Setting a public hearing for the appeal from the Broadway Group which was denied a permit to build a new Dollar General on Canal Road in March. The company owns a parcel across the street from The Keg and wants to put the fourth Dollar General in Orange Beach on it.