Gulf Shores is seeking a 10-month extension and a fourth amendment to the grant agreement for RESTORE Act funding for the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability.

The city is seeking to extend the period of performance adding May 31, 2024, to March 31, 2025. The council will meet in a joint regular/work session on Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.

“This no-cost extension will allow sufficient time to complete construction and the grant close-out process per the requirements of the federal RESTORE grant,” a memo on the Dec. 11 council agenda states.

Gulf Shores was awarded $13.4 million from the RESTORE Act council to build the center and site work is ongoing on city property adjacent to Gulf State Park and Gulf Shores City Schools campus.

“The new Eco Center facility will house a range of programs for students from school districts within the region, as well as summer and weekend programs that benefit the local economy and encourage responsible tourism,” the memo states.

The council will also discuss authorizing a $25,050 contract with Sherer Consulting Engineers to design an environmental plan for the center and bring it in compliance with the U.S. Green Building Council’s leadership in energy and environmental design program. According to the agenda, the center has been designed to receive a LEED gold certification.