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Via facsimile transmission to Fax 334/353-8629

 

                                                                                                1400 Park Place Tower

                                                                                                Birmingham, Alabama 35203

                                                                                                January 30, 2002

 

Mr. Marcus S. Easterwood, Director

State Parks Division

State Conservation Department

64 North Union Street

Montgomery, Alabama

 

Dear Mr. Easterwood:

 

                        Thank you very much for your letter of October 31 in response to our concerns about the renovations at Gulf State Park expressed to Governor Siegelman.  We appreciate very much your commitment that: “We do not plan to build high-rise buildings, nor build in areas that do not already have some development.”  This has multiple advantages, including:

 

                        (1)        Protection of Attractions of Park -- That commitment is most commendable because, not only is Gulf State Park the prime attraction in the State Park System, it is the prime attraction along the Gulf Coast of Baldwin County.  As you well know, too much of that coastline is overdeveloped with high-rises and has little beach frontage.  This causes problems to the owners who occupy the property landward of the high-rises and causes erosion of the beaches that results in the great expense of beach nourishment.  Gulf State Park has always been a landmark where people -- including residents of all financial means -- can stay and enjoy first-hand the beauties of our limited gulf frontage, so we sincerely hope it will remain so.

 

                        (2)        Preservation of Undeveloped Frontage -- There is fine undeveloped frontage on both east and west sides of the present Gulf Park Lodge.  In those areas, the dunes and their beach vegetation, such as sea oats and beach grasses, need to be protected.  They are very important to preserve the recreational assets that are the main attractions of the Gulf frontage. Consequently, we are glad that you appreciate these assets and, thus, are not planning to build in areas that do not already have some development.  You will probably need some directions to describe permitted actions by visitors and maybe even some dune walkovers (if it is thought necessary to permit direct access to the beach in those areas) since you would not wish to damage the sea oats and other beach habitat, but we hope that you will preserve those areas.

 

                        (3)        Limitation on Height of Additional Buildings -- If you need to have additional rooms for the lodge, we strongly urge that they be placed behind (north of) the present lodge facilities and extend no more than three stories in height and certainly not over four stories.  This is because we don’t wish the fine park facilities around Lake Shelby -- and the investment the park system already has in them -- to be diminished or obscured by being behind additional buildings.  There may be different interpretations of “high-rises,” so we urge this limitation on the use of that term and ask you to consider the advantages just mentioned, as well as the general advantage of preserving the aesthetic attractions of Gulf State Park in the first place.

 

                        (4)        Needed Economies to State and to Park System -- As you know, the State is in great need of additional funding for many purposes, schools as well as others.  In addition, the State Park System certainly does not have an excess of funds.  Thus, we would commend for your consideration a more modest development that had been proposed by the State for Gulf State Park in the past.  That proposal would have added 150 rooms in low-level hotels or lodges and a conference center while renovating the existing central lodge facility and its rooms.  It was said at that time, which was approximately five years ago, that the cost of that proposal was $25 million rather than the presently estimated $79 million.  The State should also take into consideration that those borrowed funds will have to be paid back, resulting in future interest charges on the revenues of the park system.

 

                        (5)        Protection of Affordability for All Residents -- This is another factor that the State needs to consider -- that this development should be done in a manner that will not be too costly so that the rates at Gulf State Park can be kept in line with what the majority of citizens of Alabama can afford to pay.  That is the case now, and we would want it to continue to be.  We understand the legislature so directed the park system.  Consequently, in order to do so, we strongly urge that it not build too extravagant a new facility because the cost of paying off those bonds will cause an increase in the rates to be paid by the general public.

 

                        (6)        Preservation of Intangible Values of Natural Beach Frontage -- In times of stress and sorrow, like this country has recently experienced, many have said, "Nature has always been a help . . . to calm the nerves and lift the human spirit.  [There is] solace and renewal at the lovely beaches and dunes of [a state park], one of the most scenic and natural beaches along the . . . coast."   This therapeutic value is inestimable and is certainly something that we should make every effort not to lose!

 

                        As just one example, when you walk out of the present lodge and look north and northeast toward Lake Shelby as many of us just did at a recent meeting, it would be a tragedy to have that delightful view marred by some construction.  That, plus its same value as an attraction for tourists, is a good and cost-effective reason for locating new construction elsewhere.

 

                        We shall appreciate very much your taking these factors into consideration and appreciate very much your commitment to not developing the undeveloped parts of the park and not building high-rises.  These views are concurred in by many in the state and are concurred in by conservation organizations such as the Alabama Audubon Council, Alabama Environmental Council and Alabama Ornithological Society, all of which, from time to time, have held meetings at Gulf State Park.

 

                                                                                    Sincerely,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Robert R. Reid, Jr., for himself and

                                                                                    the above three organizations

 

RRR/pwc

 

cc:       Hon. Don Siegelman, Governor (Fax 334/242-2335)

            Hon. Riley Boykin Smith, Commissioner of Conservation (Fax 334/242-3489)

            Hon. Albert Lipscomb, State Senator (Fax 334/242-9202)

            Mr. Hugh Branyon, Superintendent, Gulf State Park (Fax 251/948-5998)

            Commenting organizations

 

P.  S.   We understand you are just starting renovations at the east lodges at the Park but are doing the interior renovations first.  Would it not be more cost-effective to do the exterior ones first and not dirty up the new carpet and drapes?