Construction Contract Awarded for the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability

At the March 13 City Council Meeting, Gulf Shores Mayor and City Council voted unanimously to award the bid for construction of the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability “Eco Center” facility to The Green Simmons Company, Inc.

The Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability is a nonprofit organization that was founded in partnership with the City of Gulf Shores in 2018. The organization was formed in response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and the subsequent RESTORE Act, which aims to restore and protect coastal ecosystems and economies.

In 2019, the City of Gulf Shores was awarded a RESTORE grant to build the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability “Eco Center” facility on city property adjacent to Gulf Shores High School and Gulf State Park. The RESTORE Grant is administered by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), and this bid package is currently under their review. Once approved by ADCNR, the City can issue the notice to proceed to allow construction to begin.

Once constructed, the Eco Center will offer a suite of community programs, including youth camps, field studies, public classes, workshops, and recreational programs. The campus will feature a farm and garden complex, art center, habitat restoration demonstrations, bicycle hub, wetland lab, event space, and challenge course. The campus will employ the latest in green building design and aims to achieve LEED Gold certification.

"This is an exciting step forward in fulfilling the mission of the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability," said Travis Langen, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability. "We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the continued support of Mayor Craft and the Gulf Shores City Council, Gulf Shores City Administrator Steve Griffin, and our Board of Directors. Our program partner Jean-Michel Cousteau sends his congratulations and looks forward to visiting Gulf Shores for the ribbon cutting in 2024."

Construction on the Eco Center is anticipated to be complete by the Fall of 2024.

For more information about the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability, click here.

Hurricane Preparedness Expo set for April 26

The City of Gulf Shores will host its annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo on Wednesday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center, located at 1930 West 2nd street in Gulf Shores. This free event offers the public an opportunity to educate themselves on hurricane preparedness and the many products and services available before, during, and after a storm.

According to Gulf Shores Emergency Management Coordinator Brandan Franklin, the event will feature federal, state, and local agencies as well as several local businesses that specialize in storm products and services.

“A vital part of being prepared is understanding what resources are available,” said Franklin. “This event is set up to provide a one-stop-shop to learn helpful tips and be introduced to the many products and services available to help protect families and their property.”

Several vendors will be in attendance, including Baldwin EMC, Folkers Windows, Island Enclosures, Riviera Utilities, Paris Ace Hardware, Disaster Smart, Gulf Shores Utilities, Alabama Small Business Development Center, American Red Cross, Crowder Gulf, and more. Meteorologist John Nodar and Chief Meteorologist Ed Bloodsworth from WKRG’s News 5 Alert Team will be onsite at the event and will give a special presentation at 12 p.m.

Additionally, the City of Gulf Shores will have several departments on hand to answer questions. If you are a resident of Gulf Shores and do not have an up-to-date (2023-2024) Hurricane decal, this is a great time to obtain one. If you plan on acquiring a Hurricane Decal at the event, you will need to bring proof of residency or property ownership in the form of a deed, lease, or utility bill that bears the street address of the property for which the decal is being purchased, along with a Driver’s License for identification purposes. Residents may purchase up to three decals for $5 each. For more information on Hurricane Decals, visit www.gulfshoresAL.gov/HurricaneDecal.

For more information regarding the Gulf Shores Hurricane Preparedness Expo, please contact Brandan Franklin at 251-968-1149 or bfranklin@gulfshoresAL.gov.

Breakfast with the Bunny is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center

The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance in the City of Gulf Shores to enjoy breakfast with families on Saturday, April 1, at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center.

Beginning at 8 a.m., a traditional pancake breakfast with sausage, eggs, and bacon will be served, and children will have an opportunity to meet and take photos with the Easter Bunny. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo will also be on sight this year with a few of their furry friends from the zoo!

Admission for Breakfast with the Bunny is $5 each, while children three years old and younger are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the event. The Erie H. Meyer Civic Center is located at 1930 W 2nd St.

Click here for more information, or call 251-968-1171.

2023 National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship, May 5 - 7, 2023

May in Gulf Shores brings warm weather, sunny skies, and high-stake competition as the best teams from across the country battle it out for the 2023 NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball National Championship. Sixteen teams will travel to Gulf Shores to play the game of a lifetime on our white-sand beaches from May 5-7, 2023.

Hosted by the City of Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports & Events, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), this annual tournament features three days of pure excitement. The first round of the competition begins on Friday, May 5, and continues with the semifinals and quarterfinals on Saturday. The final two teams will battle it out on the sand on Sunday for the championship. The tournament is carried out with a single-elimination bracket, with teams consisting of five pairs advancing throughout the weekend. Five collegiate courts and practice courts will be set up on the beach.

Exclusive Ticket Offer!

Secure your seat in the sand now for the 2023 NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball National Championship at Gulf Place May 5-7! Take advantage of this exclusive offer – BOGO free day passes! Use promo code LOVEGS to access this offer.

Click here to purchase your tickets today!

Gulf Shores City Schools Named 2023 Alabama Green Ribbon School District

Gulf Shores City Schools (GSCS) is excited to announce that it was selected as a recipient of the 2023 Alabama Green Ribbon Schools Award. The award recognizes schools that nurture and promote environmental sustainability education and practices. GSCS is the only district to receive this award across the state and is now nominated to receive the national Green Ribbon School award from the U.S. Department of Education, which will be awarded this summer.

Click here for more information.

Applications for City Board of Education being accepted through April 7

The City of Gulf Shores is now accepting applications for Board Member for the Gulf Shores City Board of Education. The selected applicant will serve a five-year term beginning June 1, 2023.

Applicants must meet the following qualifications, at a minimum, in order to be eligible for consideration:

• Current resident of Gulf Shores.
• Person of good moral character.
• Has obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Is not employed by the Gulf Shores City Board of Education.
• Is not serving on the governing board of a private elementary or secondary educational institution.
• Is not on the National Sex Offender Registry or the state sex offender registry.
• Has not been convicted of a felony.

Applications are available online here or in person at the City of Gulf Shores Executive Office located at 203 Clubhouse Drive, Suite B.

All applications must be returned in person at the City of Gulf Shores Executive Office, or by email to bphelps@gulfshoresal.gov, no later than Friday, April 7, at 5 p.m.

City of Gulf Shores Announces 2023 Spring Music at Meyer Park Lineup

The City of Gulf Shores is excited to announce the 2023 lineup for the Music at Meyer Park concert series. These FREE springtime concerts begin at 6 p.m. and take place in Gulf Shores at Meyer Park – 400 E 22nd Ave.

The lineup for our 2023 Music at Meyer Park concert series consists of the following bands:

• March 23 - Funk You
• March 30 - John Papa Gros
• April 6 - 5 MILE BRASS
• April 13 - Dominick Michael

Food trucks will be onsite at each event for those who want to purchase food, and the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber will be set up selling beverages for all ages to enjoy!

Music at Meyer Park concerts are rain or shine events. In the event of rain, the back-up location will be Big Beach Brewery. For more information, click here or call 251.968.1171.

Pickles 'N' Pizza Family Fun Day

The Gulf Shores Recreation Department is hosting a FREE Family-friendly pickleball event on Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is for pickleball players of all ages and skill levels. Join us at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex Pickleball courts to meet fellow pickleballers, learn how to play with coaching from local experts, eat pizza, and more!

Have questions? Call 251-968-1431.