Gulf Shores
The Bridge That Keeps Getting More Expensive
In 2024, Gulf Shores hoped to keep construction of its Waterway Village pedestrian bridge under $20 million. By July the bridge alone was reported at $24 million. On Oct. 26 the council approved another plaza change order, and FOX10 now puts bridge and plazas together at $30 million.
When Gulf Shores put its Waterway Village pedestrian bridge out to bid in December 2024, city officials said they hoped to keep construction under $20 million and finish by winter 2026. (1819 News)
Neither target held. Here is how the reported numbers have moved. The 2024 goal and the July figure are for the bridge; the October figure adds the separately funded plazas.
| When | Reported cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 2026 | $30 million, bridge and plazas combined | FOX10 |
| July 2026 | $24 million, bridge | 1819 News |
| City project page | $21.4 million in listed funding: $7.9 million federal BUILD grant, $13.5 million city general fund | City of Gulf Shores |
| Dec. 2024 | Goal of "under $20 million" for construction | 1819 News |
Opening has slipped to spring 2027. (FOX10)
Same contractor, two checks
On Oct. 26 the council took up Change Order No. 5 with Harrison Construction Company, not to exceed $1,277,379.09. It covers footings, seat walls, retaining walls, steps, plaza sidewalks, grading, drainage and utility tie-ins. (OBA agenda preview)
Right next to it on the agenda: a separate construction-management agreement with the same company, capped at $220,000, for that work. FOX10 reports the council approved the change order, which it puts at $1.25 million. Whether the $220,000 management agreement passed has not been reported. (FOX10) Minutes are not posted yet. Island Insider will report how each member voted when they are.
The plaza math
The plazas were supposed to be paid for with a $3.6 million GOMESA grant (federal offshore drilling revenue shared with Gulf states) the city accepted in January. A memo from Capital Projects Manager Gabriel Willis now puts the plaza estimate at $4.8 million. (Gulf Coast Media)
The city plans to cover the $1.2 million gap with parks and recreation impact fees, the money new development pays toward park facilities, plus about $80,000 of leftover bridge borrowing. (Gulf Coast Media, same story)
One detail from July stands out. At the July 20 work session, the city took $443,192 of plaza-area work out of the bridge contract and moved it into the grant-funded plaza project. That credit made four bridge change orders net out to $37,221. (Gulf Coast Media) Three months later, the plaza project needed $1.2 million beyond its grant. The city has not said whether the work moved in July is part of that gap.
What the city says
Grant Brown, the city's public information officer, told FOX10 the city expects the Waterway Village district to grow: "We envision a lot more growth in that as a second coast." Plans call for a stage, splash pad, art markets and the return of the Zydeco Crawfish Festival in April 2027.
Questions Gulf Shores hasn't answered
- What is the full cost of the bridge alone today, counting every change order?
- How much parks impact fee money is going to the plazas, and which park projects was that money meant for?
- Why does the contractor performing Change Order No. 5 also hold a separate contract to manage it?
- Were any bridge change orders approved administratively, without a council vote?
Island Insider will file records requests for the Harrison change orders, pay applications and grant agreements, and will publish what comes back.
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