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County plans purchase of Old Fowl River parcels, one set for conservation and possible education trails
Summary
Commissioners discussed and approved terms for buying two Old Fowl River parcels totaling $1,050,000; one parcel will be held for shoreline restoration and conservation, and commissioners discussed future educational and trail uses for the other property.
Mobile County commissioners reviewed and moved forward with a purchase-and-sale agreement to buy two parcels in the Old Fowl River subdivision, with a total purchase price listed at $1,050,000 plus closing costs.
Staff described the transaction terms, including one parcel appraised at $296,000 (unimproved) and a second parcel with a residential structure being purchased at a reduced price that leaves $116,000 recognized as a donation to Mobile County; the current owner will be permitted to remain on the second parcel for 30 calendar days after closing under a separate written lease.
Commissioners discussed plans for the land: one parcel will be used for shoreline restoration as part of the Fowl River project, while the other — described as the county’s longest contiguous undeveloped property on the western shore of Mobile Bay (about 1,600 feet) — was identified as suitable for conservation and possible future public uses. A commissioner said the county could explore educational trails or an interpretive center similar to existing regional facilities and mentioned potential public–private partnerships to fund improvements.
Why it matters: The acquisition supports shoreline restoration and adds contiguous conservation land adjacent to county property, which commissioners said could provide outdoor education and recreational access. Staff said details about leasing and moving arrangements would be formalized in a written lease and that administrative corrections to the transaction language would be fixed before closing.
Next steps: Staff committed to correcting identified drafting errors in the purchase paperwork and to provide additional details about lease terms and conservation use prior to the closing.
