Beachgoers could soon see changes to parking in Gulf Shores. The city is considering an amendment to its beach parking ordinance that would increase daily rates, add paid parking in three areas, eliminate some four-hour parking options, and expand paid parking times.
Grant Brown, the Public Information Officer for the city of Gulf Shores, said the city needed to develop a way to increase revenue for the Leave Only Footprints program, which focuses on the safety and cleanliness of the beaches.
“The expenses to manage the beach have grown over the past 10 years,” Brown explained.
For 2023, beach expenses such as garbage pickup, sea turtle management, the lifeguard program and parking are expected to add up to $1.6 million. With only $658,000 expected to be generated from parking, Brown said the city noticed an increase in demand for parking along the coast, and now leaders are considering amending the beach parking ordinance accordingly.
“People that use the beaches should pay more than the people that don’t use the beaches,” Brown said. “So, what better way to generate that revenue than the people who are using those parking spaces?”
Daily rates will go from $10 to $15 at paid lots, and some parking lots currently offer four-hour parking will no longer have that option. Brown said parking lots that are near some businesses, such as restaurants and shops, will continue to have the four-hour parking option. The city currently requires paid parking to start at 9 a.m., but the start time will change to 7 a.m. Brown said this will also help people who start their beach day early and forget to go back and pay.
“We get them all the time calling upset because they parked before they had to pay, and they were enjoying their day at the beach and forgot to go back and pay,” Brown explained. “So, this will actually help those people.”
Some businesses could be affected by the changes. The changes could impact Bahama Bob’s Café on West Fifth Street and the Gulf Shores Beach Retreat on West 10th Street because two additional paid parking areas have been proposed nearby the businesses. The owners of the businesses have been notified and invited to Monday night’s council meeting
The amendment is set to be voted on Monday during the city’s regular meeting at City Hall. The proposed changes read as follows:
FEES AND POLICIES - CONTROLLED BEACH PARKING AREA
Controlled beach parking area shall mean the following public rights-of-way and municipally-owned parking areas:
(1) East Gulf Place;
(2) Gulf Place;
(3) West Gulf Place;
(4) West 5th Street located south of Alabama Highway 182 (West Beach Boulevard);
(5) West 6th Street located south of Alabama Highway 182 (West Beach Boulevard);
(6) West 10th Street located south of Alabama Highway 182 (West Beach Boulevard);
(7) West 13th Street located north of Alabama Highway 182 (West Beach Boulevard);
(8) Lagoon Pass Park north of Alabama Highway 182 (West Beach Boulevard);
CONTROLLED BEACH PARKING HOURS
Controlled beach parking hours shall mean the following hours occurring during the controlled beach parking season:
(1) The Hours from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
(2) Such other hours as may be designated from time to time by resolution of the city council.
CONTROLLED BEACH PARKING FEES
East Gulf Place (resident lot)
-No Charge with a valid City of Gulf Shores issued City of Gulf Shores Hurricane Re-Entry Decal
Gulf Place - Gulf Shores Pkwy south of Alabama Highway 182 (W Beach Blvd.)
-$5 for first four (4) hours or $15 for all-day
West Gulf Place
-$15 for all-day
West 5th Street - south of Alabama Highway 182 (W Beach Blvd.)
-$5 for first four (4) hours or $15 for all-day
West 6th Street – located south of Alabama Highway 182 (W Beach Blvd.)
-$15 for all-day
West 10th Street – located north of Alabama Highway 182 (W Beach Blvd.)
-$15 for all-day
West 13th Street – located north of Alabama Highway 182 (W Beach Blvd.)
-$15 for all-day
Lagoon Pass Park – Public Beach Access north of Alabama Highway 182 (W Beach Blvd.)
-$15 for all-day
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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