The Gulf Shores City Council approved a $500,000 contract with Interboro Partners, LLC, to lead the development of a new comprehensive plan and 20-year roadmap.
“We have a rare opportunity to shape what Gulf Shores will look and feel like 20 years from now,” said assistant city administrator Lee Jones. “To do this well, we need to hear from the people who know this community best. Meaningful public input will guide every major decision and help us build a clear, realistic roadmap for the future.”
According to its website, Interboro Partners is a firm “offering inventive and inclusive planning, urban design and architectural design services.”
Based in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Detroit, Mich., Interboro is a design firm that uses community engagement to create plans. Interboro’s portfolio includes projects in St. Louis, Boston, Harvard University and the Jamaica neighborhood in Queens, N.Y.
Officials said the group was chosen for its “dynamic approach, strong record of community engagement and proven expertise.”
Gulf Shores budgeted $300,000 for the planning in its fiscal year 2026 budget and will budget an additional $200,000 in its fiscal year 2027 budget.
Once a contract is signed and the project begins, the city said extensive community input will begin, likely in late summer. An early outreach and development public engagement plan will be launched, and Interboro will conduct a study on current conditions and trends. Interboro will prepare a draft plan for public review.
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Gulf Shores at such an important moment in the city’s history,” said Dan D’Oca, principal and co-founder of Interboro. “The challenges and opportunities the city is facing—managing growth, protecting natural systems, and maintaining a strong sense of community — are exactly the kinds of issues that motivate our work.”
The Gulf Shores City Council previously approved a moratorium on development applications in support of the 20-year comprehensive plan. Those applications include rezonings, new planned developments, conditional use requests and major subdivisions.
“As our community grows, we must plan with care,” Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft said. “Interboro’s approach will help us listen, learn, and turn community priorities into action. The goal is to protect our small-town character while planning for a resilient, successful future.”
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