Orange Beach Moves to Sell Event Center as Part of Civic Campus Plan
John Mullen • April 7, 2026
Orange Beach is planning a new civic center near its senior center, library, arts center, and Waterfront Park.
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach is moving forward with its effort to sell the Orange Beach Center at The Wharf. The city is looking to develop a civic center on the south side of Canal Road, across from the city property that includes the Senior Center, library, Coastal Center for the Arts, and Waterfront Park.
The city council will discuss the sale at its joint regular/work session on April 7 in the council chambers at City Hall. There are items on both agendas referencing the sale of the building that the city first bought from The Wharf in 2011.
In the regular session, the council will consider authorizing Mayor Tony Kennon to negotiate the sale of the event center, and during the work session, it will discuss an interest from The Wharf to buy back the center for $7.5 million. The council will also consider declaring the center surplus, and a public hearing on the sale will be held during the meeting.
Related Article: Orange Beach Proposal to Sell Event Center to The Wharf, Build New Community Event Center
Authorizing the mayor to negotiate terms for the sale of the Orange Beach Event Center.
During the regular session, the council will discuss:
- Paying $1.5 million for goods and services from March 18 to April 8.
- Declaring May 9 as Coastal Alabama Kid Entrepreneurs Day in Orange Beach.
- Declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Orange Beach.
- Making a $10,000 donation to Safe Harbor Animal Coalition in 2026.
- Using money from the opioid lawsuit settlement to buy three LUCAS chest compression devices for the fire department for $59,819.
- A software agreement with NEOGOV for new employee background checks for the police department.
- A contract with local group Saucy Fuzz for entertainment at the 2026 Orange Beach Nest Fest at the arts center on May 31.
- Awarding the bid for resurfacing the tennis courts and adding a cabana to American Tennis Courts for $93,572.
- Authorizing a contract with Mack Tucker for golf instruction services.
- Accepting a proposal from Byers, Byers & Associates for auditing services in fiscal year 2025 for $79,850.
- An agreement with the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program for implementing a water quality monitoring project for $31,015 in reimbursable costs.
- A resolution authorizing a change order to receive two ambulance cots for the fire department for $27,278.
- Authorizing the mayor to negotiate the purchase of real property contiguous to city-owned property on Russian Road.
- A performance agreement with McLean Motor Sports for the Spring 2026 Bama Coast Cruisin’ car show, April 23-25.
- Executing a training provider agreement with the National Red Cross for instruction at the Orange Beach Aquatics Center.
During the work session, the council will discuss:
- Approving the final audited financial statements for the fiscal year 2024.
- Rescheduling and relocating the council meeting and work session of May 5 to the Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 6.
- A school board appointment. Nelson Bauer’s five-year term ends in June, and the appointment will fill his seat for the next five years.
- Amending the recreational vehicle rentals ordinance.
- A fourth amendment to the grant agreement with the National Audubon Society and Orange Beach for the city to “perform services related to the stewardship of coastal Alabama beach nesting bird habitat.” This amendment will extend the contract for three months through July 1.
- A contract with DeRhonda Ponder for special needs aide services for the afterschool Expect Excellence program.
- A change in the city’s pay plan recommended by the comprehensive classification and total compensation study.
- Award the bid for site work at the rifle range at the city’s shooting complex off Russian Road. Bids will be opened on April 16.
- A mutual aid memorandum of understanding between the Orange Beach Fire Department and the Escambia County Fire Rescue Department.
- Donating to the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Foundation to sponsor its 2026 Paddles for a Purpose Pickleball Tournament to raise money for victim support services, investigative tools, training, and education initiatives.
- Authorizing Orange Beach to join in current and future opioid lawsuit settlements.
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