Reviewed by: Pat Byington
New Gulf Shores Walking District making progress
Gulf Shores is already one of our favorite beaches (and a great place to buy a vacation home). Now, it’s getting even better. Keep reading for all you need to know about the newly-approved Walking District progress.
Phase II of Gulf Shores’ Beach Walking District improvements
In 2014, the City of Gulf Shores released a strategic plan, Vision 2025. The plan has five action items, one of which is the new Walking District. Here’s how the City of Gulf Shores describes the Walking District:
“A walkable, energetic beachfront district that will attract tourism, stimulate local businesses and encourage business and residential relocation.”
They’ve already accomplished Phase One, which revamped the East 2nd Avenue Streetscape. According to Gulf Coast Media, the newly-approved Phase Two will include the following improvements to East 1st Avenue:
- New roadways
- New sidewalks
- New on-street parking
- Storm water infrastructure
Construction will begin in September, after the Labor Day holiday, and is expected to continue for nine months.
The bigger picture—Vision 2025
The Beach Walking District project, which comes in at a total budget of $8.5M, is a part of the larger Vision 2025 plan.
Introduced in 2014, this strategic plan details Gulf Shores’ strategy to build a sustainable “Small Town, Big Beach.” The plan’s vision is a big one, and each new improvement is another step toward that goal:
“In the year 2025, the City of Gulf Shores will be the most desirable small- town destination community in the South in which to live, visit, retire and invest. This will be due to its enduring, wholesome, low-key and pleasurable lifestyle amidst its restorative and vibrant natural surroundings and thriving economy.”
Vision 2025
The key strategies of Vision 2025 include the following:
- Environmental stewardship
- Well-organized infrastructure
- Economic, geographical and seasonal diversification
- Sustainability
- Prosperity
- Leading-edge healthcare
- Progressive education
- Community planning
Phase Two of the Walking District is just one component of the overall vision, but it’s one that locals and tourists alike will enjoy for many years to come.
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