Beach restoration projects are poised to get a $17 million boost on the island, and a new bar with wine store and tasting room has been proposed in Gulf Shores' Waterway Village.

Both topics will be discussed Monday by Gulf Shores officials.
Gulf Shores City Council will hold a work session July 17, highlighting several initiatives including the construction of Galway Public House and a joint-city beach restoration project for hurricane-related losses.

According to documents attached to the meeting agenda, there is an application to convert the ground floor of a building that's currently under renovation into a lounge/bar, add four multifamily units on the upper floor and add 15 remote parking spaces.

The document states it is recommended that the lounge closes at 11 p.m. and is limited to 45 indoor seats and 14 outdoor seats until one of three off-site parking lots are completed.

This property was called Waterway Wines when the site plan was approved in June 2022. Documents indicate it will be a retail wine store, wine tasting room and limited restaurant.

"At the June 27, 2023, Planning Commission meeting, the Planning Commission voted 6-1 to recommend approval of the Galway Public House CUP/Site Plan application," city documents state.
Additionally, council will discuss awarding a construction bid to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock company to complete beach restoration work related to damage from Hurricane Nate and Hurricane Sally.

The bid is not expected to exceed $17 million and will be used for beach restoration work in Gulf Shores, Gulf State Park and Orange Beach.

"The City of Gulf Shores along with the Gulf State Park and Orange Beach sustained damage to our engineered beaches during Hurricane Nate and Hurricane Sally," the document reads. "Our engineered beach system is designed to protect structures and infrastructure, provided wider recreational beaches and created critical habitat for shoreline birds, the Alabama beach mouse and sea turtles."

The City of Gulf Shores' portion of the contract will include: 750,000 cubic yards of beach fill related to Hurricanes Nate/Sally; 405,000 cubic yards of additional sand to further enhance beaches; 505,000 dune plants; 3,000 linear feet of sand fencing and Sea turtle trawling.

"Between 2001 and 2004, the city invested approximately $18 million to construct the first engineered beach projects that are now recognized by FEMA as city infrastructure. As long as the city periodically reinvests in renourishment projects, damages due to a declared disaster are reimbursable by FEMA/AEMA," the document reads. "The 405,000 cubic yards of additional sand included in the restoration work will insure the city maintains FEMA eligibility, provides greater storm protection, wider recreational beaches and extends the life cycle of our beach renourishment by approximately two years."

The document states that because FEMA and AEMA will reimburse 87.5% of costs related to Hurricane Nate and 95% of costs related to Hurricane Sally, the total reimbursement amount should be $10,456,107, bringing the city's cost to $6,579,242.

Additionally, the city's matching costs will be funded through the 2% lodging tax that was instituted to maintain the city's engineered beaches.

The July 17 meeting begins at 4 p.m. and is open to the public.