The Fairhope Times

Councilman Questions High New Water Tower Cost

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:57:38 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Wagoner Road tank site.

Possible "composite" design.

OVER $9 MILLION NOW

During a work session discussion about next year's municipal budget, councilman Burrell questioned the high cost for a new two million gallon water tank-tower on the south side of town.

Burrell said the cost of one when he was first elected in 2012 would have been only $2 million, one-million per every million gallons of water, but is "4.5 times that now ... 450% inflation ... that can't be right ... it's highway robbery!"

Mayor Sullivan agreed the cost was once much less, but replied "it is really $12 million ... spread over three years." She said it is the same cost though for similar tanks currently going up in Gulf Shores and Bay Minette.

Sullivan: "That is the going-cost for one now ... hopefully it will come in less when put it out for bids ... it costs $1 million just to paint one now."

Burrell added he thought appointing a "committee of experts" may be in order to further-study the issue.

(The city has received a $2 million federal grant for the tower and it is being re-designed in an effort to further-reduce costs, according to previous reports.)

NO ALTERNATIVES?

When asked later if there were any alternatives to expensive tanks, such as a reservoirs instead, Burrell replied: "I do not think that there are. If you had a reservoir, you would then have to involve much filtration to purify the water enough to use. Our aquifers provide such clean water that there is very little that we have to do to prep it for distribution to homes and businesses."

The new tank is needed to provide service to the new Point Clear Golf Club residential development (who donated property for it) -- as well as other future development on the south side of town.

The mayor has said a new tank will eventually be needed somewhere on the north side of town too.

Airport Repair Facilities Expanding

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:33:13 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Construction site.

McGOWN DRIVE COMPLEX

The Elpizo Corporation has begun constructing a new $9 million aircraft maintenance facility at 8200 Mcgown Drive in the Airport Industrial Park area.

The new building will be leased to their tenant Segers Aerospace Corp., according to their earlier presentation to the city council.

About 60 new jobs will be created.

Only Bridge Remains To Complete Bike Trail Extension

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:59:16 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

New eastern terminus on Hwy 98.

Eslava Branch bridge coming.

EASTERN SHORE TRAIL EXTENSION

A pre-manufactured bridge over Eslava Creek is all that remains to be installed to complete the new multi-use trail extension in the Weeks Bay area.

Contractor McElhenney Construction is extending the Eastern Shore Walking/Biking Trail along U.S. Hwy 98 east of the Fish River bridge, 1.8 miles to Pleasant View Lane.

Cost is $2.1 million using federal/state transportation grants with local matching funding by the county.

Eventually the trail will extend all the way to Foley.

Memorial Sidewalk Pavers To Be Relocated

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:56:23 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Old memorial-pavers being relocated.

NEW JULWIN'S PLAZA PROJECT

Inscribed sidewalk pavers that were taken up as part of the new Julwins Plaza project will be put back, but along Bancroft Street instead.

The city council executed a change order to add $18K to the contract with R. H. Deas Construction for the relocation. The pavers have been made available by the city to sponsors/family members as memorials all over the downtown since the 1990s.

New Bancroft St. location.

New Point Clear Golf Club Tunnel Started

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 20:50:48 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

UNDER CR 3

A pedestrian/golf cart tunnel is being constructed under CR 3 just south of Monk Road to connect holes two and three of the new Point Clear Golf Club course.

Phase one of an associated residential development will be on the west side of the road, with future phases on the east side: about 306 total lots eventually.

The road should reopen to traffic by mid-September.

Master plan.

Coastal Community College Renovating Administration Building

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:42:39 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

OFFICES RELOCATED

Renovation of the Administration building at the Coastal Community College in downtown Fairhope is about to begin; it was constructed in 1988 as a classroom building according, to a plaque on the side of the building.

Construction should begin after contracts are approved by the state.

Dangerous Church Building Finally Demolished

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 13:49:52 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

371 Young Street today.

July 2026 photo

CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

A church building that was scheduled to be condemned by the city council Monday has been demolished; it came up at the previous two council meetings as well, where the owners asked for more time to take care of it themselves (at less cost). Rebuilding donations are still being sought by the congregation (see info at bottom.)

From a July 2026 FT report:

"The city council delayed authorization for the emergency demolition of a dangerous building at 371 Young Street for two weeks to allow the owners more time to deal with the situation themselves. It will come up again during the next council meeting.

Building inspector Cortinas has already arranged for a contractor to demolish the building (for $22K) if the owners do not, and then for the city to put a lien on the property to pay for it.

Cortinas said the severely-leaning brick walls pose a threat to the neighborhood, especially for children who may wander in there to play.

Members of the Church of God In Christ want to do it themselves if someone can be found to do it for less cost; a lien on the property may hinder them from selling the property to relocate somewhere else, they said.

Two other dangerous buildings in town have been demolished this year using new streamlined condemnation regulations, on Woods and Barclay Avenues."

Donations sought.

Next City Run Schools Feasibility Meetings Canceled

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:50:22 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

First meeting.

NOTICE FROM MAYOR'S OFFICE

The remaining scheduled city school system feasibility public meetings have been canceled.

Mayor's Office: "The City of Fairhope is canceling the two remaining meetings to evaluate the interest of a city school system. At this time, there are no plans to reschedule the meetings."

Mayor's comments: "First, I want to thank everyone who attended one of the meetings or took the time to complete a survey regarding the possibility of a Fairhope City School System. This was a difficult and important conversation, and I appreciate the passion and participation from people on both sides of the issue. To date, approximately 1,400 people have completed the survey, including 862 respondents who live inside the Fairhope city limits. The results provide valuable insight into where our community stands today:

83% oppose or strongly oppose creating a city school system.

89% said they are satisfied with the Baldwin County Board of Education.

81% oppose a property tax increase to create a city school system.

52% of respondents have children in the school system.

These results are clear, and I believe we have a responsibility to listen to our citizens and respect their voices. I am disappointed, however, that we cannot have a conversation about difficult issues without people becoming angry, upset or disrespectful toward one another. That is not the Fairhope I chose to represent, and it is not how I want people from my hometown to treat one another. We should be able to disagree. We should be able to debate difficult issues. And we should be able to do both while treating our neighbors with respect. The meetings may be cancelled, but I do not believe this topic is going away forever. It may not come up again a year from now, but it could be two or three years from now. Historically, the question of a Fairhope city school system seems to resurface every three to five years. Things change. District lines are redrawn. New schools are built. Enrollment changes. State laws change. Population changes. And the financial circumstances of our community could change.

For that reason, I believe we need to be better prepared for the next time this conversation takes place.

You will hear me support legislation that would allow the education tax to follow the student. You will hear me support legislation allowing citizens to vote on whether to form a city school system. And you will hear me support allowing property owners in the Barnwell Landmark area to legislatively annex for the purpose of education. These are all things that could fundamentally change the conversation. They could give people who live outside the city limits an opportunity to become part of Fairhope City Schools if they choose to do so. They could also change the financial picture by increasing the tax base and providing additional revenue specifically for our schools and our children. I also want to remind everyone that I grew up in Fairhope. I remember when J. Larry Newton was just getting started and Mrs. Cotten was the principal. My sister began her career at JLN and spent 24 years there and my niece and nephew attended JLN. I have attended more than my fair share of Homecoming Christmas celebrations. I consider those families, teachers and students’ part of the Fairhope community. But there is a difference between being part of the Fairhope community and living within the Fairhope city limits. Boundary lines exist for a reason, and people make choices about where they live. Some choose to live outside the city limits because of lower property taxes, fewer regulations, or other reasons. That is their choice, and I respect it. They are still our neighbors, our church families, our friends and people we care about. But when it comes to a city school system, those boundary lines matter and they will matter if Fairhope ever creates its own school system. I may or may not be Mayor when this issue comes back up but whenever that day comes, I hope we can approach it differently. I hope we can have the respectful, thoughtful dialogue that this issue and most importantly, our children deserve. At the end of the day, I believe we all share the same goal: to provide the best education, opportunities and future possible for every student in our community, whether they attend a city school or a county school. Because regardless of where a child lives, every child matters."

See less

Fairhope Police Chief: No 'Flock' License Reader Cameras Here

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 20:44:29 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Update: Two other cameras in Fairhope indicated on various citizen-made online maps are not the controversial license plate readers.

Hwy 181 Flock camera in December 2025.

Gone by August 2026

ONCE WAS CONSIDERED THOUGH

According to Fairhope police chief Hollinghead, the city of Fairhope has never used Flock ALPR cameras in its police jurisdiction; but it was being considered at one time.

According to web sources: "A Flock camera is an automated license plate reader, or ALPR, made by the public-safety technology company Flock Safety.

The cameras are commonly installed along roads, at intersections, near neighborhood entrances, and around businesses or other private properties.

When a vehicle passes, the camera captures an image and uses machine learning to turn its license plate, color, make, model, and other details into searchable information.

That makes them useful for those deploying them, like the police. Law enforcement agencies say Flock's technology can help them track down vehicles and locate crime suspects. In some cases, officers can search for a specific car across tens of thousands of cameras nationwide."

MANY ELSEWHERE IN BALDWIN COUNTY?

According to unofficial "crowd-sourced" maps online (ie. 'Deflocked'), Daphne currently has several -- but when a Times reporter searched for two indicated in the 24000 block of Hwy 181, there were none there. Google Earth photos from December 2025 showed them however.

Such maps show many in the Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach area too, but there is no official resource to confirm that.

NUMEROUS OTHER TYPES THOUGH

Not to be confused with the automatic license plate readers (ALPR), there are numerous conventional video security and traffic cameras around Fairhope, on public and private property.

The city has several in public places monitored 24/7 from the police dispatch office in the Section Street police station.

ALDOT has traffic cameras on poles at major state road intersections all around town as well.

Private homes and businesses have too many to count.

PRIVACY RIGHTS THE ISSUES

The cameras, especially the Flock APLRs, have become controversial recently because of growing privacy rights concerns and reports of abuse by some police departments for unauthorized tracking.

Map of possible Flock cameras.

Fairhope High Again Rated #6 School In State

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:12:00 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Fairhope High School

First city school system debate Tuesday.

BUT BEHIND 5 CITY SYSTEM SCHOOLS

The 'US News and World Report' magazine's respected annual national school rankings has Baldwin County's Fairhope High School at number six in the state; but behind five other Alabama schools which are in city school systems. There are 391 high schools in the state according to the report.

From an Alabama Daily News report (click):

"Alabama’s eight highest-ranked schools – those who are in the top 5% nationally, are, in order from 1 to 8:

New Century Tech Demo High School in Huntsville City schools – No. 131, up from No. 380 last year;
Homewood High School in Homewood City schools – No. 212, up from No. 363;
Mountain Brook High School in Mountain Brook City schools – No. 215, up from No. 505;
Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills City schools – No. 533, up from No. 658;
Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville City schools – No. 679, up from No. 1,007;
Fairhope High School in Baldwin County schools – No. 701, up from No. 912;
Spain Park High School in Hoover City schools – No. 782, up from No. 1,126; and
Oak Mountain High School in Shelby County schools – No. 818, up from No. 1,726."

A FACTOR IN CURRENT CITY SCHOOL DEBATE?

It remains to be seen if this report may become a factor in the current community debate concerning forming a city school system here too: is #6 good enough or should the city try to do better?

Another town hall meeting about it is scheduled this Sunday at 5:30 in the council chamber.

Another New Gas Station Coming To Greeno Road

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:50:25 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Site.

18125 WRIGHT BOULEVARD

A Murphy Oil gas station/convenience store has been ok'd by the planning commission for the new 'Shops At Point Clear' shopping center off of S. Greeno Road; access will be via the interior road Wright Blvd.

The store will be located along S. Greeno Road on the northern-most lot; entrance will be from the interior road.

If it gets final approval from the city council this will be the company's third store in Fairhope.

Store design.

Hurricane 'Safe Room' Construction To Begin Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 19:09:42 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Site.

Design.

PECAN AVENUE ANNEX

Construction of the city's new hurricane safe room at the Pecan Avenue annex will start tomorrow (August 17); issues with the FEMA grant have been resolved.

FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Low-bidder Roy Lewis Construction was awarded a $1.9 million contract by the city council to construct a first responders' safe room -- to be built at the city's Pecan Avenue warehouse facility using a FEMA hazard mitigation grant: the city's share will be 10%.

The 4072 square foot building will withstand winds of up to 200 mph.

Construction could take up to a a year.

Pecan annex.

Roundabout Art Competition Ending Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 19:33:39 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Edited to correct road numbers.

'Flowerclock' roundabout.

'Airport' roundabout.

FINAL SELECTIONS COMING

Councilman Burrell said recently there were about seventy-two submissions from around the country for two new public art pieces to be placed in the center of the new 'Flowerclock/Veterans Drive' round about and at CR 44/13 on Twin Beech Road near the airport.

Last March the city council asked the Eastern Shore Art Center's Committee on Public Art (COPA) to solicit proposals from artists, evaluate each, and make recommendations to the council.

Themes were to be 'downtown Fairhope' and 'airport' respectively.

Burrell said the city council will consider a final four chosen by COPA -- and choose the two winners during an upcoming council meeting.

Burrell said the goal is for art at all of the roundabouts; 'Cat Tail Sculpture' was donated and installed at CR 13/CR 48 in 2019.

'Cat Tail Sculpture' at CR13/CR 48.

City School System Advocacy Group Revived

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 14:14:06 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Update: A new pro city school website was formed later (click).

H4FCS Facebook page.

Current Fairhope feeder pattern.

CALLED 'HOPE FOR FAIRHOPE CITY SCHOOLS'

With a series of public meeting scheduled to begin this week (Tuesday), a group that first formed in 2023 (click) to investigate starting a city school system has become active again.

Local realtor Carrie Mackey (Mobile Bay Realty) is the organizer according to state records; she is also a former FEEF President and a current member of the Fairhope Public School Commission which distributes the special 3 mil school tax to local schools.

H4FCS financed the PARCA feasibility study now available from the city's website; a new Facebook Page by the same name has been established as well (click).

Their study concluded there would be no additional cost, if only students within city limits participated.

The city's own $20K study (by Criterion Consulting) authorized only as a "demographic study" by the city council in June 2025 is there as well; it concluded more revenue would be needed depending on level of participation and services wanted.

See both studies here (click).

CITY LEADERS WEIGH IN

Mayor Sullivan said recently the upcoming meetings were triggered by a "very persistent group of parents" and added she is personally neutral on the issue: it will be entirely up to citizens to decide. It may be possible to hold a non-binding voter referendum to gauge interest at some point.

When asked by a Times reporter, Councilman Robinson agreed with the mayor (citizens must decide); but councilman Burrell is quoted in earlier interviews he would not support any tax increase.

ANNEXATION A SOLUTION?

One key issue is how to handle students in the current school feeder pattern outside city limits: more students means higher cost. Annexation into city limits would be the best solution but charging some level of tuition could be an alternative as well for those outside who wanted to attend city schools. If all current feeder pattern students participated, a new middle and elementary school would likely be needed, the mayor said.

Large-scale annexation voter referendums could be held in neighborhoods outside city limits if it ever got to that point, according to the mayor. She envisioned a two year time frame -- if it moved ahead at all

During a recent radio interview State Senator Elliot, a longtime proponent of city schools, said he thought Choose Act money might be utilized for the tuition; but current students might be grandfathered in by the city to continue on until graduation.

Elliot added he thought residents of the city of Daphne were considering a city system again too.

EARLIER EFFORTS FAILED

Sixteen years ago, another citizens' group called 'Good 2 Great' formed to advocate for a city system and the city council at the time hired consultant Ira Harvey to do a feasibility study but that effort ultimately failed. See an interesting FT report from the time here (click).

S. CR 3 Closing Monday For Tunnel Installation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:27:24 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

CR 3 temporarily closing.

NEW GOLF COURSE BEING BUILT

County Road 3 will be closed south of Monk Road beginning Monday August 17 to install a box culvert pedestrian tunnel between holes two and three of the new Pt. Clear Golf Club course now under construction there.

It should be completed by September 11 according to the county's notice.

Sniffer Dogs Find No Human Sewage in Fly Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 21:55:11 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Aloi, Orcutt addressing council.

OTHER SOURCES INDICATED

Cody Aloi of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program presented the results of an experimental program that included using specially-trained dogs to find possible sewage spills in Fly Creek's watershed: they did find four instances of the e-coli fecal bacteria, but no evidence it was of human origins.

Traditional source tracking lab studies are very costly, so the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP) has come up with an experimental new method: Cody Aloi in partnership with X & O Consulting's Paul Orcutt are using specially-trained police dogs to help locate possible sewage leaks.

(In 2011, Auburn biology professor Dr. Yuchneg Feng cited three possible sources for the bacteria: human, bovine, and bird -- and proposed DNA testing for confirmation; but that was never done due to its high cost - click.)

Of 12 EPA laboratory tests of samples taken at various spots in the creek earlier this year, 5 were"non viable" due to laboratory testing errors; but there were four locations where high bacteria levels were found but none were of human origins according to further testing.

The dogs trained to detect human sewage only did not alert to any of the samples, he said.

NEXT STEPS UP TO COUNCIL

MBNEP director Jason Kudulis said the program should be continued because a "bigger data set is needed to confirm the results ... and remove possible errors."

Councilman Burrell said he thought the preliminary results vindicated the city's longtime position that bacteria detected in the creek is not necessarily coming from the city's wastewater system; mayor Sullivan liked the "faster results" the dogs provided --versus conventional laboratory testing.

The city council will have to determine if it wants to continue providing funding for the pilot canine wastewater detection program in its annual donation to the MBNEP ($65K last year).

Creek Sites tested.

Next steps.

New Wendy's Grand Opening Pushed Back

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:49:33 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Update: Opening delayed again until August 28.

BUILDING NOT READY

The grand opening of Wendy's re-located restaurant on 22295 Bushell Drive in east Fairhope that was scheduled for August 12 was pushed back a week to August 19 because the building was not completed.

A city official told the Times recently landscaping was one of the holdups.

Still no word about the fate of their old S. Greeno Road building.

New opening announcement.

New Thomas Hospital Tower Completed

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:57:08 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Morphy/Ingleside intersection.

After 18 months of construction, the new four story, $40 million tower on Morphy Avenue has been completed and ready for move-in, according to the city’s building official.

The city partnered with the hospital to bury overhead electric lines and install new sidewalks to make way for the building.

The bottom floor is for parking and the second for patient beds; the hospital intends to add a cath lab on the third floor and more beds on the fourth eventually, he said.

A helicopter landing pad is on the roof for transporting patients.

Parking garage.

New Quail Creek Golf Director Selected

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:16:21 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Colin McKern

CITY'S QUAIL CREEK COURSE

PGA professional golfer Colin McKern will be the next Director of Golf at the city's Quail Creek Golf Course, replacing Bobby Hall who retired recently.

McKern has also been the teaching pro at the Azalea City course in Mobile and at Topgolf, Mobile.

His remarks: "I’m excited to share that I’ve accepted the position of Director of Golf at Quail Creek Golf Course in Fairhope, Alabama! I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to begin this next chapter of my career. I’m looking forward to working with the City of Fairhope, the Quail Creek team, and the golfing community as we continue to build something special. New chapter. New challenge. Let’s get to work!"

City's statement: "The City of Fairhope is pleased to announce the hiring of Colin McKern as the new Director of Golf at Quail Creek Golf Course. McKern brings a strong background in golf management and a clear commitment to enhancing the player experience at one of Fairhope’s most valued recreational facilities.

McKern is a graduate of the University of South Alabama, where he earned a degree in Business Management. His professional golf experience includes serving as Head Professional at Vestavia Country Club and Azalea City Golf Course. Throughout his career, McKern has earned numerous honors and awards and achieved his PGA Class A Membership, bringing both expertise and enthusiasm to his new role.

In his new role, McKern will oversee daily operations, expand programming opportunities, and continue improvements to course conditions and amenities. He will also work closely with staff to ensure Quail Creek remains a welcoming and enjoyable destination for golfers of all ages and skill levels."

New Subdivision Started On CR 34

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:52:43 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

CR 34 Site.

Layout.

CALLED 'BAYWOOD AT POINT CLEAR'

Site preparation construction for a new 21 lot neighborhood has begun on CR 34 west of CR 13 on 30 acres outside city limits in county planning district 8. Lots will be 30K square feet with density .65 per acre.

BCP Acquisitions Llc. is the owner/developer.

Water/sewer will be provided by city of Fairhope; electric by Riviera Utilities.

The property is to be annexed into city limits per an earlier development services agreement with the city council.

Annexation agreement.

K-1 Restoration Project Completed Mid-September?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 14:53:40 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

EXTERIOR ENVELOPE

The year-long $6.1 million envelope restoration of the old K-1 school on Church Street (with federal grant help) should be completed by mid-September according to city engineer Johnson -- and the renovation of the first floor's interior by the BCEDA in October, to be used as a small technical-type business development incubator called HATCH -- per its 15 year lease with the city.

The public may get its first peek inside during the annual November 'Lighting of Trees' ceremony, the mayor said recently.

The city will have the basement space to use itself, but no specific use has been designated for it yet as far as we know.

Basement for city's use.

A New Cafeteria For Fairhope High School

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 08:53:45 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

New cafeteria's site.

New cafeteria design.

NEW MEDIA ROOM TOO

Work is underway to construct a modernized cafeteria for Fairhope High School on the north side in the former entry/parking area; the front (west side) entrance will be reconfigured as well with 76 parking spaces, but the pirate statue will have to be relocated somewhat.

Likewise, a new library/media center -- and security vestibules in some hallways are included in the project.

The Baldwin County Board of Education approved a $9.3 million contract with C. Roberbs Construction for the project last May.

This is a continuation of a project to similarly-upgrade five late 1990s-era county high schools, begun last year using a one-time $34 million state appropriation, with a $10 million local match from the BOE.

Latham McGee is the architect.

No timeline was mentioned publicly, but work will have to coordinate with classes when the new school year begins next week.

Expect changes to car line student pick up too.

Full site plan.

Electrical Transmission LIne Upgrade Project Completed

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 18:52:36 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

New Greeno Road 46 KV poles.

ELECTRIC SYSTEM RELIABILITY ENHANCEMENT

A project connecting the city's four electrical substations in a "loop" has been completed. This will increase system reliability by allowing connectivity of all substations in event any one fails.

From a December 2025 FT report: "Birmingham-based Gridco, Inc. has begun replacing power lines and poles along Greeno Road as part of the $2.2 million 46 KV transmission line “looping” project — to increase the city electric system’s capacity and reliability.

Power lines are to be relocated to the north side of Morphy Avenue in the vicinity of the hospital as well.

The new lines will directly connect all of the city’s electrical substations, to insure reliable service to all parts of town in all conditions.

This is the final phase of a $12+ million system-wide capacity upgrade begun in 2019."

Master Plan Update Tabled By County Planning Commission

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 17:14:55 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

August 6 Baldwin Planning meeting.

UNTIL SEPTEMBER MEETING

The controversial Baldwin County Master Plan update proposal was pulled from the August 6 Baldwin County Planning Commission meeting agenda -- but numerous citizens with concerns who had come to speak about it were heard anyway.

Chairman Steven Pumphrey said he had received a letter from several mayors asking for the delay (more time needed to review it) and several commission members had numerous inquiries from citizens too, so it was decided to delay it until next months meeting to try and resolve the confusion.

(Earlier this week, Fairhope Planning Director Simmons told the Times he had not had time to review it either.)

Pumphrey reiterated the county is required to have a master plan by state law but that it is just a guide not a regulatory document itself.

Citizens will get another chance to speak about it at an upcoming public meeting in Robertsdale, Pumphrey said.

Several Hermit Hut Moving Proposals Received

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 3 Aug 2026 14:54:19 -0500

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com

Parker Road site.

BEING RELOCATED TO CITY PARK

Three bids have been received so far from moving contractors for the Hermit Hut relocation project according to engineering department sources: one from an Alabama company, one from Florida, and one from Maryland.

Bidding will close on August 11 and the proposals opened shortly thereafter; after review by city staff, the lowest qualified one has to be accepted per state law.

Then the city council will award the contract during an upcoming public meeting; the private donations already received are to be used for the project (if sufficient).