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

Old Bama Bayou Property

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...

Gulf of America Homeland Security
By OBA Staff July 24, 2025
Loxley, Ala. — (OBA) — In the past few weeks, several Baldwin County businesses and construction sites have experienced immigration enforcement by the Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force. This week Federal agents carried out an immigration enforcement operation at the construction site for the new Loxley Eleme
BJ’s Wholesale Club Expands with Foley Store Plans
By OBA Staff July 24, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Residents in Foley will soon have a new option for bulk shopping as BJ’s Wholesale Club plans to open its second Alabama location in the city. The project was recommended for approval by the Foley Planning Commission, marking a significant step forward for the retail development. The new store wil
Foley, Alabama's Building Inspectors
By OBA Staff July 24, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley, Alabama, stands out for its strong focus on safe home building. The city ranks fourth in the nation for homes certified as fortified by Smart Home America. These certifications mean buildings can better handle hurricanes and other bad weather. City officials say this work keeps residents sa
Flora-Bama Ole River Grill
By OBA Staff July 23, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Flora-Bama Ole River Grill has earned a spot among nominees in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for the best local sports bar in 2025. This popular venue sits right on the Florida-Alabama line, making it a key hangout for folks in Florida and Alabama. It stands out with its m
Coastal Tailgate Cook-Off Challenge Returns to Orange Beach
By R. Ken Cooper July 23, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach will come alive on Saturday, August 23, 2025, as the Coastal Tailgate Cook-Off Challenge returns to The Wharf, promising a feast for the senses along with plenty of spirited competition. Organized by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, this event uniquely blends the excitemen
Zoning Amendment Aims to Boost Walkability in Waterway Village
By OBA Staff July 22, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The Gulf Shores Planning Commission will take up a proposed zoning text amendment on July 22 that could reshape how parking is managed in the city’s Waterway Village Overlay District. The measure, known as ZTA25-03, is designed to support compact, pedestrian-oriented development by expanding
Alabama Officials Warn Public as Heat Reaches Risky Levels
By OBA Staff July 22, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Alabama Department of Public Health is alerting residents about the dangers of extreme heat as temperatures soar across the state. With heat indices climbing into the triple digits this week, health officials say everyone should be aware of the risks. Heat-related illnesses are becoming
Things to do on the Gulf Coast this week.
By Jessica A. Taylor July 21, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — As the final weeks of summer unfold along the Gulf Coast, the region comes alive with various experiences designed to bring the community together. From early morning activities on the water to vibrant evenings filled with music and food, locals and visitors have a full calendar of opportun
Credit: Alive Coverage (@aliveco)
By John Mullen July 21, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Following a successful Sand in My Boots Music Festival, the city council will consider a two-year extension of the festival’s franchise. Formerly the Hangout Music Festival, which started in 2010, the festival changed to a country theme for the 2025 edition. The festival received a 10-year f
Foley City Hall
By John Mullen July 21, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley is being asked to give a waiver of a moratorium suspending applications for certain residential-mixed-use projects in the city. The ban was voted on in the May 5 council meeting. The 37-acre site in question is at the intersection of Pride Drive and South Juniper Street.
Show More