The Spanish Fort Causeway Master Plan just got one step closer to becoming a reality.

During the Sept. 18 regular city council meeting, council adopted a resolution that will allow Spanish Fort Mayor Michael McMillian to enter into an agreement with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for a GOMESA grant. The $3 million will be used for land acquisition and construction of projects related to the Causeway Master Plan and the Hudson Oil and Shellbank projects.

Included in the new master plan is a 5.5-mile-long pedestrian and bicycle trail along the Causeway's north side and two parks with a picnic area, parking and fishing piers as well as a boat launch for residents and visitors with canoes and kayaks.

During the council meeting, McMillian said the $3 million will be used for property acquisition.

In 2018, McMillian said the changes would be rolled out over a 20-year period. Residents can read the entire Causeway Master Plan on the city's website.

2023-2024 Budget

City council approved the 2023-2024 city budget for just over $21 million during the Sept. 18 regular city council meeting.

McMillian highlighted some of the items in the budget like that Spanish Fort employees will receive a 2.5% cost of living allowance raise and a 2.5% merit raise. The budget also allocates money to purchase new equipment such as a $76,200 mini excavator and $265,334 for capital improvement paving projects on Ponce De Leon, Woodland Way, Oakley Court and Oakley Drive. The budget also allocates $650,000 for building maintenance projects such as repaving at City Hall, an elevator at the library, safety updates and LED retrofits.

Container Park

The park area at the Container Park at the Spanish Fort Town Center will be conveyed to the city.

The city adopted a resolution allowing McMillion to retain the services of Thompson Engineering to survey and subdivide the park. The area the city will acquire includes the splash pad, exercise area, pavilion, green space and park area.

McMillian also said this acquisition will allow for the construction of pickleball courts in the future.

"I think this will add a synergy to that area," McMillian said. "I see good things coming out of this."