Orange Beach to Discuss Ending Beach Express Bridge Agreement
John Mullen • May 7, 2024
Also Under Consideration is a Proposal to Rezone Bama Bayou Development
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The city will discuss formally ending its relationship with the Baldwin County Bridge Company at a joint regular/work session of Orange Beach City Council at 5 p.m. on May 7 at city hall in council chambers.
The state announced in April it was buying the bridge from BCBC and ending toll collections sometime in May. This concludes the agreement where the city would receive a per car fee from the company that began in March of 2004.
For the first 10 years of operating the bridge, the city paid the bridge company $1.2 million and received the per-car fee to help offset the loan. In each of the 10 years except one, 2007, the city incurred a deficit, the highest being $774,466 in 2010.
Beginning in 2014, the city’s yearly obligation ended and the per-car fee went directly into city coffers. The city collected a total of $19.1 million through 2023 and subtracting the original $12 million, the city has netted about $7.1 million in revenue from the toll bridge. In the first two months of 2024, the city has collected $209,699.
During the regular session, the council will also discuss:
- Approving $3.5 million paid to vendors for goods and services April 18 through May 8.
- Declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the city.
- A second reading and public hearing of an ordinance to revert the failed Bama Bayou planned unit development to its original zoning of general business.
- Approving 2022 audited financials.
- Approving a contract with Wilde Design for Wildlife Center for $9,000 to design outdoor enclosures. The new center is on city property west of Fire Station No. 3 and adjacent to Gulf State Park.
- Authorizing Orange Beach to join the state and other local governments as a participant in settlements with opioid settlements.
- Reducing the rental fee by 25 percent for use of the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf for the 2024 high school sports officials training session.
- Declaring a 2002 Dodge van as surplus and authorizing the donation of it to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
- Authorizing a taxi franchise for Ryan Ahearn to operate Perdido Key Party Bus shuttle service in the city limits and police jurisdiction.
- A resolution approving a wetland permit for the CoastAL employee parking lot behind Walgreens.
- Declaring exercise equipment owned by the city as surplus and donating it to city schools. The equipment includes seven treadmills and four elliptical machines.
- Awarding the bide for two message boards for the police department to C&H Construction Services for $35,800.
- Authorizing a subaward grant from Restore Act money to pay for a stormwater master plan for the city for $250,000.
- Approving the submission of the 2023 water pollution prevention annual report to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
- An ordinance change and public hearing regarding water recreational rentals.
- A public hearing for an ordinance amendment regarding charter boat home occupations.
- A public hearing for an ordinance amendment on highway frontage requirements on the north side of State Route 180 from Oak Street to William Silvers Parkway.
During the work session, the council will discuss:
- Hiring Human Resource Management to do an HR assessment for the city as well as conduct an executive search for a Human Resources Director.
- Authorizing a rental agreement with Sharp Electronics Corp. for a copier for the Human Resources division. The three-year contract will cost $185 a month or a total of $6,670.
- Authorizing a performance contract with Joan Hill for water aerobics instruction at the Aquatics Center.
- Awarding a bid for replacing the roof and the fascia at the Justice Center and a second bid for two message boards for the police department. The bid opening date has been changed to May 16.
Share this article w/ Friends...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The American Heart Association has launched a new health program at the Orange Beach Public Library. The initiative is called Libraries with Heart and is designed to help residents monitor their blood pressure at home. Community partners say the effort will give people easier access to...
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Starting this December, the city will no longer send business and rental license renewal forms through traditional U.S. mail. Instead, all renewal forms will be delivered only by email. City officials say the change is meant to be more efficient. They also hope it will save money and...
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — City leaders in Foley are planning major changes to the current public library building. The work is meant to improve access for older adults and people with disabilities. The building will later become the city’s Senior Center. The plans are tied to the construction of a new library.
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Construction on the City of Gulf Shores Pedestrian Bridge is moving forward on schedule, with steady work visible on both sides of the project. Crews are working on the bridge structure as well as nearby parking and streetscape improvements. City officials say the work is designed to...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Orange Beach has launched a new online portal for business licenses and related applications. The system uses OpenGov Permitting & Licensing. City leaders say it will cut paperwork, save time and money. They expect faster decisions for businesses and residents.
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler has notified parents about an important change to counseling consent rules. He said he usually shares policy updates in his back‑to‑school email each August, but this situation is different. The district began the year collecting...
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley officials are adding new traffic control near the city’s hospital as services and patient numbers continue to grow. The city plans to change an existing intersection to better handle the heavier traffic. Leaders say the change is meant to improve safety as well as traffic flow. Residents...
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Plans continue in Orange Beach to make improvements to the recreation campus in the northwest intersection of Canal Road and Wilson Boulevard. Pickleball courts and expanded parking are already underway and, work has begun on Contorno Park on the western edge of the campus. Next on the...
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Local musicians are joining forces to help struggling families in lower Baldwin County through a benefit concert. The event aims to raise funds and collect food donations for the Christian Service Center. Six musical acts will perform at the fundraiser called Pantry Stock.
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — According to Hotel Business, an Alabama-based investor group has purchased Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. The new owners say the popular Gulf Coast property will remain under local leadership. They also say they are committed to its long-term future. The resort has served families...
