For more on community news in AL’s Gulf Coast visit al.com.

In May, the department sent out notices to parading groups asking them to anticipate paying the full cost of police protection for their parade route, which would average about $25,000 per parade; this was likely prompted by the City Council’s decision to initially reject the 1 percentage point increase in the sales tax rate.  However, the sales tax rate increase was passed at a later date and this new permit fee, while being twice that of last year, is not as high as expected.

And for all your Gulf Coast AL real estate questions including buying or selling in Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL, contact Barbara Reeves today.

For more information on this or other news in Mobile AL, visit AL.com.

During a Monday meeting last week, the Downtown Redevelopment Authority introduced new members and discussed short-term and long-term projects.  It has been more than a year since the Daphne’s Downtown Redevelopment Authority has met and so their history was also explained as well as possible upcoming projects.  The mission statement for the group is to have the Daphne AL downtown thriving with businesses while still maintaining the historic charm of the area.

Previous attempts that the Redevelopment Authority has made to improve the city were met with issues regarding the proper funding; consequently, the entire council resigned a year ago.  However, the new committee has a plan of action for funding and will be meeting regularly every fourth Monday of the month.

For more on this or more community news and new developments in Daphne AL, visit baldwincountynow.com.

And for more on buying and selling real estate in Gulf Coast AL including Daphne, Spanish Fort, Fairhope, and Mobile, contact local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

The Pier Street boat ramp in Gulf Coast AL will be reopening soon, as announced by Mayor Tim Kant this week.  This boat ramp served as headquarters for the local oil spill response, and the operations will be moving to Fly Creek so the Pier Street boat launch can reopen.  Plans were to turn the boat ramp, including the parking area, back to the general public for usage by the end of this week.

During the oil spill response operations most of the Pier Street ramp area was closed off from the public, causing some community businesses to suffer.  Currently, Pier Street ramp is opened for a set number of hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.); both local businesses and residents alike will benefit from the boat launch being available to the public again.

For more on this issue or other Baldwin County AL news, including Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL, visit baldwincountynow.com.

And for more information on buying or selling Gulf Coast AL real estate, contact Barbara Reeves today.

Last Thursday July 22nd was the Annual Flavors of the South Event.  Hosted by the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, this annual event featured over 20 vendors from all over Baldwin County AL.  Residents and visitors got a taste of what makes the south grand with dozens of food choices as they sampled fine cooked southern cuisine.  Vendors included local grocery stores and restaurants, giving event-goers a reason to come back to their establishments even after the event.

For more on this event or other community news and activities in Baldwin County AL, visit baldwincountynow.com.

And for more information on buying and selling real estate in Alabama’s Gulf Coast, contact local realtor Barbara Reeves today.  Your dream home is waiting for you in Baldwin County AL.

The sales tax free holiday weekend in AL is set for August 6-8 and is expected to boost the local economy.  With a record 265 cities and counties involved in the sales tax holiday, this is more than in previous years.  This is the fifth year for this annual event which is designed to bring customers out to purchase their back to school supplies, books, clothing, and other retail goods without the added sales tax.  Currently, the state is seeing an improvement in retail sales and Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association, has reported that this is what AL needs to pick up momentum and move into the holiday season.

For more information on the sales tax holiday in AL, visit al.com

And for more information on buying and selling real estate in Alabama’s Gulf Coast, contact local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

This coming Tuesday night, Daphne AL residents are invited to City Hall for a community information meeting concerning the impact of the oil spill on the city’s environment and economy.  Mary Lee Montgomery of the BP PLC’s Community Outreach program reported that city leaders requested this informational session to educate the public about the oil company’s response to date regarding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.   During this meeting, residents will be able to ask questions regarding public safety, claims, and environmental issues.

In attendance will be representatives from BP, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other key agencies in Daphne AL.

For more information on this meeting, visit Baldwincountynow.com.

And for more on buying or selling real estate in Alabama’s Gulf Coast, contact local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

The new proposed Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for Baldwin County AL details strategies for addressing such issues as sedimentation, creek-bank erosion, flooding and a variety of other land-use changes.   The area involved encompasses 7,700 acres including parts of Daphne, Spanish Fort and other portions of Baldwin County.

Glen Coffee, the Thompson Engineering project manager, wrote the plan as requested by a coalition of federal, state and local agencies as well as development and real estate representatives and property owners; the plan presents a 10-year blueprint of concerns to address including the systematic problems from storm water runoff, channel instability and excessive sediments of three major streams.

For more information on this issue in Baldwin County AL, visit baldwincountynow.com.

And for more information on buying or selling property in Alabama’s Gulf Coast area, contact local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

The July 1st Jimmy Buffett and Friends concert has been postponed until July 11th due to the possible storm surge caused by the recent tropical storm.  The concert will feature renowned Jimmy Buffet and a number of other performers including Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, Allen Toussaint, Sonny Landreth, and Jesse Winchester.  The event will take place on the beach in Gulf Shores, AL and has been organized to show support for unity between residents, businesses, and the Gulf Coast culture.  Part of the show is scheduled to air live on CMT and will be able to be heard online at CMT.com, Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio.

For more information on Concerts for the Coast, visit concertsforthecoast.com.

And for more information on buying or selling real estate in Alabama’s Gulf Coast contact local realtor Barbara Reeves today.