The City of Gulf Shores has announced the successful closure on a waterfront property valued at $3.5 million. The prime water front real estate formerly known as Mo's Landing will eventually become a public park operated by the city. The City of Gulf Shores will work with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to secure funding grants to allow for redesign and construction of the property.
City closes deal on Lagoon property
Council seeks state funding for waterfront park designMo's Landing, a former gas station and boat launch on the north shore of Little Lagoon, is now officially public property, Mayor G.W. "Billy" Duke III said.
The city closed the deal for the $3.5 million waterfront tract Friday after about 10 months of negotiations with the owners, a group of local investors. The City Council originally approved a purchase contract in November in which Gulf Shores would have paid $4.8 million.
That deal was contingent on an appraisal assigning a value to the land of at least what the city was offering to pay for it. Ensuing appraisals ranged from $1.2 million to $6 million, and the city and the sellers agreed last month to go with one that put the price at $3.5 million.
Mo's Landing will eventually be turned into a city park and on Monday the City Council voted unanimously to apply for funding from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that would help pay for the design of the park.
"They have grant moneys available for water parks and recreation areas," Duke said.
The property, which is on Fort Morgan Road and has about 300 feet of frontage on Little Lagoon, already has a boat launch that is in usable condition, city officials have said. City Administrator Ernie Smith said officials weren't sure if they would tear down the gas station building or renovate it as part of the park.