The Alabama legislature has paved the way for a new resort to be built on 29 acres of state-owned land at Gulf Shores State Park.
The bill allows Gov. Robert Bentley flexibility to work with a projects committee to decide the best way to build a major resort that would replace the state-owned lodge that was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Before the bill was passed Thursday, the governor announced that $85.5 million of BP oil settlement funds will be used on the hotel development and other enhancements at Gulf State Park. Those funds are not part of the proposed BP oil spill lawsuit proceeds.
If the resort is built, the State Parks should realize an unspecified percentage of the income for their annual budget.