Orange Beach Council Prepares Busy Agenda For Recreation And Development

John Mullen • June 2, 2026

Orange Beach leaders are preparing to make decisions about parks, events, roads, public safety, and development.

Orange Beach City Hall

Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – More work is being planned for Orange Beach’s recreation campus as a new pickleball complex is complete, and a new pool and refurbishing of the aquatic center are on the drawing board. A new western addition to the campus, Contorno Park, now has a walking path around the pond there in addition to turning the former Contorno home into city recreation offices. Up next are improvements to the tennis court.

 

The city council will meet in a joint regular committee of the whole meeting on June 2 at 5 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall. On June 2 at 11 a.m., the council will meet in an informal work session in the south conference room to discuss a “personnel policy update review.”

 

During the COW, or nonvoting meeting, the council will discuss paying Sawgrass $170,600 for professional services to design improvements at the city’s tennis center.

 

On Feb. 3, the council authorized a contract with Lose Tennessee for professional design services for the Orange Beach Aquatic Center’s renovation project for $781,000. See related story: Orange Beach recreation campus gets major upgrades

 

During the regular session, the council will also discuss:

 

  • Paying $2.4 million for goods and services from May 21 to June 3.
  • A second reading of an ordinance amendment to rezone 28 acres in the Margaritaville planned unit development from general business to single-family residential for a subdivision with 142 lots. See related story: New housing phase proposed for Margaritaville Resort development
  • A liquor license for Pedro’s Tacos and Tequila Bar is going into the former Carver’s Steakhouse space in the Palm Pointe or Publix shopping center.
  • A special events liquor license for the Wharf Restaurant Group for an event at the Orange Beach Event Center on July 19 for Howard Technology Solutions. The Wharf Restaurant Group owns Ginny Lane, Villagio’s, Mile Marker 158, and Yo Ho’s Rum and Tacos in The Wharf.
  • Appointments to the Construction Board of Appeals for the terms of Jon Townsend and Russ Hart, whose terms expire in June.
  • Executing a grant agreement with the USDOT’s Federal Highway Administration for a $200,000 grant to develop a safety action plan for the city. The city’s match is $50,000.
  • Authorizing a grant agreement for $2,500 from the Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission for a city street party. The city is also sponsoring a $25,000 street party at The Wharf to celebrate Independence Day.
  • A contract with McCollough Architecture for design services for an events pavilion at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach for $12,800.
  • Buying trailers for $24,944 to haul event barricades from Port City Trailers.
  • The first reading of an ordinance change on public hearing for the Moondance PUD to add 16 finger piers or slips to the existing pier on the east end of Bear Point.

 

During the work session, the council will also discuss:

 

  • A silent auction donation request for the 2026 Governor’s Conference on Tourism on July 13-15 at the Renaissance Shoals Resort and Spa in Florence.
  • Buying a dispatch radio console for the police department for $39,000 from Motorola Solutions.
  • Buying office furniture from McAleer’s Office Furniture for $59,108 for the fire department.
  • Authorizing a change order of $15,983 with Roy Lewis Construction to make drainage improvements adjacent to the new fire training center being built behind Fire Station No. 1. This will bring the total cost of construction to nearly $2 million.
  • A contract with GeoCon Engineering and Materials Testing for $2,500 to conduct a soil study for the addition of shade structures at the Kids Park Playground.
  • Setting a public hearing for Bubba’s Seaside Mini Golf to rezone three acres to planned unit development for a bumper car attraction. The planning commission gave the plan an 8-0 favorable recommendation at its May 11 meeting. The suggested hearing date is June 16.


Share this article w/ Friends...

Alabama School Resource Officers Meet in Orange Beach
By R. Ken Cooper June 2, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Orange Beach Police Department is once again hosting the School Resource Officers and educators from across Alabama at the annual TAASRO Safe Schools Conference. Held at the Orange Beach Event Center, the event brings together law enforcement and school staff for a week of critical tra
E-bike Damage to Pickleball Court
By R. Ken Cooper June 2, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach officials are asking for help protecting the city’s new pickleball courts. Parks and Recreation staff reported recent misuse. The city says damage has already occurred. Police plan increased evening patrols.
Accident at the top of the Perdido Pass Bridge - Photos posted on the OBA Facebook Page
By R. Ken Cooper June 1, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach first responders answered a serious crash call at Perdido Pass Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters and police officers found two damaged vehicles. One vehicle was lodged between the Jersey barriers and the chain-link fence that borders the pedestrian path. Crews safely wo
Foley City Hall
By John Mullen June 1, 2026
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Foley will formally accept a check from the state to buy 121 acres in the northern part of the city to use as an industrial park. The grant will help buy the land at the southwest corner of the intersection of the Foley Beach Express and the Baldwin Beach Express.
This Week's Things To Do Ideas on the Gulf Coast
By Jessica A. Taylor June 1, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Well, would you look at that–summer has officially clocked in on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The backpacks are getting tossed aside, the beach towels are coming out of storage, and the calendar is suddenly open to all, with overflowing reasons to get outside and make those memories. This week’
Gulf Shores City Hall
By John Mullen June 1, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Looking to address parking issues in the beach walking district, Gulf Shores is looking to add more paid parking. The streets involved are just north of the beach, an area where residents and business owners have raised concerns. Residents with hurricane decals will not be charged for parkin
Hurricane Season Begins Today
By R. Ken Cooper June 1, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Hurricane Season starts today, June 1st, and runs through November 30th. Gulf Coast agencies are urging residents to prepare now for hurricane season. Officials say early planning can reduce confusion during an emergency. Families are encouraged to review supplies and evacuation plans.
Orange Beach Senior Center to Close for Renovations
By R. Ken Cooper May 31, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Senior Center in Orange Beach is scheduled to close temporarily for interior updates. The closure will affect most regular programming for most of June. Some activities will move to other locations, while others will not be held during the closure.
Foley Main Street Recognized
By OBA Staff May 31, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley Main Street has earned one of the most respected honors in community development. The organization has been named a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program. This designation is the highest recognition given by Main Street America, a national nonprofit with more than 40 years of experien
Gulf State Park's Shark Fest
By R. Ken Cooper May 31, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf State Park is bringing back Shark Fest, one of its most popular summer events. The three-day festival focuses on marine life, with an emphasis on Gulf Coast sharks. It will be held at the park's Saltwater Pier in Gulf Shores. Organizers are encouraging families to register and book the
Show More