Improvements Coming Near Embassy Suites In Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores is to start improvements soon on West First Avenue, which runs approximately two blocks north of the $140-million Embassy Suites resort hotel, ahead of its opening in summer 2025, AL.com reports. “It’s all about adding on-street parking, complete streets with sidewalks and landscaping and improving that walking district,” said Grant Brown, director of recreation and cultural affairs for the City of Gulf Shores. On December 9, the city council unanimously approved a $69,500 contract with Volkert, Inc. to develop an engineering and bid procurement plan for the construction of the city’s $2-million third phase of its Beach Walking District near the hotel, which had a topping-out ceremony in late October 2024. The first two phases included adding sidewalks, landscaping and parking to portions of East Second Avenue, First Avenue and West Beach Boulevard. Future phases include additional sidewalks and on-street parking nearby. Volkert has until early February to complete its work, and then the council will consider bidding out the streetscape project for construction. The project is part of Gulf Shores’ Vision 2025 plan, approved in 2014, that emphasizes walkability and improvements within the popular public beach area.