Gov. Riley Signs Gulf State Park Hotel Bill

The old park hotel that was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The bill allows the state to lease beachfront property for 70 years to a private company for development of the hotel.

By: Jamie Burch | WKRG-TV
Published: May 13, 2009

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GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) - Gov. Bob Riley has signed legislation
to build the Gulf State Park hotel and convention center on the
Alabama coast.
Riley signed legislation Tuesday at the site of the old park
hotel that was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
The bill allows the state to lease beachfront property for 70
years to a private company for development of the hotel. The state
would build and operate an adjoining convention center, in
conjunction with coastal towns that would benefit from convention
business.
Mayors from Orange Beach, Foley and Gulf Shores attended the
signing. Coastal officials had pushed for the development because
they said they were losing conventions to Destin, Fla., and Biloxi,
Miss.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)