Fairhope's Magnolia Beach has suffered repeated beach erosion over the past 20 years, but a long-awaited shoreline restoration project could keep the sand in place.

The Fairhope City Council approved a resolution during the Wednesday, March 6 Regular City Council meeting allowing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to accept a $620,000 Gulf of Mexico Energy and Securities Act (GOMESA) grant.

In July 2023, Governor Kay Ivey's office announced $67 million in GOMESA-funded projects. The Magnolia Beach Shoreline Restoration project was one of 27 projects funded and was awarded $620,000.

Project Background

Since 2004, the city has restored the sand at the north end of Magnolia Beach Park a dozen times. The average cost per renourishment is more than $20,000 and that amount does not include equipment or labor costs.

In 2016, South Coast Engineers conducted a study and prepared a conceptual plan to restore and permanently stabilize Magnolia Beach.

The restoration project calls for the construction of two breakwaters just offshore that will reduce the wave action on the beach. The breakwaters will be built of natural materials.

According to the National Park Service website, a breakwater "is an offshore shore-parallel structure that 'breaks' waves, reducing the wave energy reaching the beach and fostering sediment accretion between the beach and the breakwater." In short, the breakwaters should help add sand to the beach.

The total amount of the project is $700,000 and that includes the $620,000 GOMESA-funded project and $80,000 for post-project monitoring. The city will be responsible for the $80,000.

According to the resolution, the project could begin immediately and end in approximately 24 months. Gulf Coast Media will continue to follow this story and update with new developments.