Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The Orange Beach Town Hall Meeting held on April 2nd, 2025, covered a wide range of topics, from celebrating student achievements to discussing infrastructure improvements and addressing concerns about the city's future growth and character. The meeting kicked off with special recognitions.

Education and Community Pride

The strong performance of Orange Beach City Schools was a significant point of pride. Key highlights include a 1:13 teacher-to-student ratio, high rankings in state testing (third in math and science, seventh in English language arts), a 95% district score on the 2023-2024 state and federal report cards, 100% of third-graders reading at or above grade level, and a 100% graduation rate for the class of 2024. The four-time state champion softball team was recognized as Max Prep's 2024 national champions. An impressive 96% of students participate in extracurricular activities. A new $46.1 million athletic complex is under construction and expected to be ready by August. The school system's rapid rise in state rankings was noted with pride. Orange Beach City Schools has also won the Safe School Award in Alabama five or six times, being the first in the nation to implement panic buttons for staff with a rapid police response. Additionally, a police officer follows every athletic team when they travel.

Commercial Activity on the Beach

A discussion arose regarding a proposed ordinance prohibiting commercial activity on the beach. Concerns were raised about the lack of clarification and potential impact on existing businesses like Beach Moms, which offers beach picnics. The mayor clarified that the goal is to prevent the unregulated commercialization of the beachfront, such as unsolicited vending of watercraft, hot dogs, or trinkets. The ordinance is not intended to affect existing permitted activities like sandcastle services, photography, or concierge services that enhance the visitor experience. The city aims to have the teeth to prevent unwanted commercial activities and protect the family-friendly brand of Orange Beach.

Celebrating Local Achievements

The meeting began with the recognition of Paige Lipkey, a junior at Orange Beach High School, for twice achieving a perfect cumulative score of 36 on the ACT. Paige's extensive involvement in school activities, including concert marching band (as a flute player and drum major), school excellence performances, and her upcoming role as Mary Poppins in the school's production of Mary Poppins Junior, were highlighted. Her membership in various honor societies, selection as Red Ribbon Week High School student representative, participation in sports (junior varsity volleyball and varsity golf), and her dedication to tutoring in pre-calculus and chemistry were also acknowledged. Paige plans to study accounting at the University of Mobile or the College of the Ozark. The mayor and council honored Paige for her outstanding academic and personal achievements.

Following Paige, Master Emory Adam Pate, a nine-year-old third-grade student at Orange Beach Elementary School, was recognized. Emory was named the chief of security by the school staff for thriving in the supportive environment and demonstrating a servant's heart. His love for helping others, appreciation for tasks, and his interests, including Minecraft and his bearded dragon Milo, were mentioned. Notably, Emory won three first-place ribbons at the 4th annual Island Special Olympics on March 18th, 2025. He was also recognized for teaching those around him about faith, perseverance, and overcoming challenges, and was made an honorary junior police officer. April 2nd, 2025, was proclaimed as Emory Pate Day.

School Updates and the State-of-the-Art Skeet and Trap Facility

The council also highlighted the Orange Beach High School Skeet and Trap Team Club and its impressive state-of-the-art facility, which will also be used for commercial shooting activities. Coach Tim Harry reported that the team started in 2022-23 and has already won seven state championships in skeet, trap, and sporting clays. College teams from Montevallo, Alabama, and Auburn are already scouting their students. Coach Harry, a former Olympian with the United States Army marksmanship unit and the Olympic team in 1995-96, emphasized the goal of securing college scholarships for the students. The council expressed their pride in this unique offering, noting it is the best skeet range in the southeast and will host state shoots.

Addressing Growth: Moratorium and Infrastructure

A key part of the meeting addressed the nine-month moratorium on certain residential multifamily projects and subdivision applications (three or more units or lots of 9,000 square feet or less). Mayor Kennon explained that this measure aims to study the potential impact of 5,000 to 7,000 more units coming online on city services, quality of life, natural resources, utilities, traffic, and school capacity. The moratorium is necessary to have stated reasons, goals, purposes, and solutions for identified problems.

Several infrastructure projects were discussed:

• The Intracoastal Waterway Bridge to the west is on track to be finished in summer 2026. It will be a single lane southbound, with a loop connecting to Canal Road or a branch towards Gulf Shores.
• Canal Road east of the bridge to The Wharf is slated to become five lanes to connect with the existing five-lane section.
• Shared-use trails and sidewalks are being developed from The Wharf Parkway east to Oak Street on the west and from the elementary school east to Bear Point. This 10-foot wide multimodal path prioritizes bicyclists and pedestrians.
• A traffic signal at Culver's is finally coming, with temporary signals expected in five to six months and permanent ones in about a year. The city is paying $100,000 for this, aiming to improve traffic flow and direct school traffic safely.
• The bypass project is progressing, with ALDOT working on it. While it's expected to take three to four years, it is fully funded and aims to alleviate traffic congestion near Cactus Cantina and Ace Hardware.
• Beach re-nourishment was recently completed at a cost of $11 million.
• Finance was added on to City Hall, with hurricane stickers available in the back at finance starting in May, and other passes available at the front desk.
• New city signage is being rolled out.
• A Veteran's Memorial will be located in front of the Community Development building, featuring individual flags for each branch of service and first responders.

Enhancing Quality of Life

Several projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life in Orange Beach were highlighted:

• Fourteen new pickleball courts are planned to be online by the end of the year. However, the existing gym will remain open for pickleball players as much as possible.
• A Coastal Alabama Sea Turtle Center, a $1.5 million freestanding facility, is under construction and expects to rehabilitate 50 to 60 turtles per year.
• The public library will receive additional parking and a facelift.
• The annual road resurfacing project will continue, focusing on completing Bear Point.
• The city purchased the Caterno property behind Sam's, which will be named the KNO home and will potentially house the rec department, a walking track, and other amenities.
• Improvements are planned for the community garden, with hopes for a future farmers market.
• The wildlife center management program continues its work with 700 intakes and 2,000 calls.
• Efforts to maintain natural resources include improvements at Robinson Island.
• The city continues to invest in equipment for street and beach cleaning.

Addressing Resident Concerns

The meeting also addressed various concerns from residents:

• A request for crosswalks on Perdido Beach Boulevard, particularly near Sweet Cone Alabama, was discussed. While overhead crosswalks are impractical due to land requirements and studies show people often cross where it's convenient, the city is working with ALDOT to create islands and diffuse intersection issues at locations like Zeke's and a new hotel on the west beach. Improvements on Perdido Beach Boulevard are grant-funded by ALDOT. A crosswalk is planned at Bill Silver's at the red light. Concerns about safety at the Cypress Village entrance with the new bike trails were raised, and yield signs are being considered. A yield sign is also being considered at Marina Road.
• The use of the gym for pickleball will continue as much as possible, balancing with other recreational activities.
• An explanation was provided regarding the dotted line on the multi-use trail map east of Bay La Launch, indicating utilities. All roadways in Bear Point under 25 mph are essentially golf cart paths.
• Concerns about golf cart safety, particularly children driving and the right-of-way for pedestrians and bicyclists, were reiterated. Residents are encouraged to report unsafe golf cart operation with the cart number. Over 3,000 golf carts are now registered.
• The dangers of kids on e-bikes and mini-motorbikes were discussed, with acknowledgment of the high speeds and lack of adherence to traffic laws. It was noted that federal classification makes it difficult to regulate e-bikes at the local level.
• Parking issues at The Wharf during major events were acknowledged. While The Wharf is a private venue, the city works with them on ingress and egress and is exploring offsite shuttle options for future large events. The crossing of the Foley Beach Express after events will not occur again.
• The possibility of northbound lanes on the current bridge is unlikely due to opposition from ALDOT, despite the city's protests.
• Plans for an additional performing arts center were announced. The city plans to sell its current event center at The Wharf, which is increasingly used for commercial purposes, and build a new 800- to 1,000-person capacity center for local and community use on the east side of Kangaroo. The revenue from the commercial use of the sold event center is expected to help fund the new facility. Construction is estimated to take around two years.
• The status of Margaritaville was discussed, with phase one still slated for completion by summer 2027, although the start of construction is unclear. An update will be provided at the Chamber First Friday forum.
• Concerns about parking for graduation coinciding with a concert at The Wharf were addressed. The school graduation time has been moved earlier to 5:00 p.m. due to the concert, and the graduation venue itself has become too small.
• The possibility of adding flashing yellow lights at the crosswalk in the Bear Point roundabout was raised for better visibility of pedestrians and bicyclists. This will be looked into.
• The white building being constructed on the north side of Canal Road past the laundromat is believed to be the new ABC store, with a proposed restaurant to follow.
• Gaps in sidewalks near Cypress Village are due to resolved utility issues, and completion is expected by midsummer. ALDOT is also reviewing the entrance to the high school and issues at Cypress Village.

The Orange Beach Town Hall Meeting provided a comprehensive overview of the city's progress, future plans, and responses to community concerns, demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence, infrastructure development, quality of life, and preserving the unique character of Orange Beach.