Hero image: AI-generated editorial illustration representing waterfront investment. It is not a photograph or an architectural rendering of Valor Park.
Spanish Fort News | Monthly community report
Reporting period: February 1–28, 2026
Retrospective prepared October 28, 2026, from public records and attributed reporting.
A waterfront park project moved into its construction phase in February, while Spanish Fort’s council addressed staffing, transportation maintenance and preparations for the city’s operating budget. Business networking and the transition from winter basketball to spring softball added to the month’s community activity.
Mayor and parks: Valor Park reaches its groundbreaking milestone
Spanish Fort’s Valor Park project reached its February groundbreaking milestone with plans to combine shoreline stabilization and public recreation. A city announcement carried by the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce identified February 13 as the groundbreaking date and described the project as part of a longer-term effort to expand parks and recreation.
The announcement outlined sidewalks, picnic tables, a pavilion and a viewing area overlooking Mobile Bay. GOMESA financing and matching support were identified as part of the project’s funding. The environmental work and visitor amenities were presented together: protecting the shoreline while creating a place for people to experience the waterfront.
For residents, February marked the start of a public-space investment, rather than the opening of a finished park. Construction progress, accessibility and eventual operating arrangements remained the measures by which the project’s public benefits would be assessed. The announcement’s description of the planned amenities should not be read as confirmation that those facilities were available during February.
Fire and police: new firefighters and Citizens’ Academy recruitment
At the February 2 council meeting, Fire Chief Roger Few reported that David R. Wyatt and Shayne M. Larson had successfully completed fire training. Mayor Brad Bass administered their oaths of office. The ceremony documented two trained firefighters joining the department; it did not establish the department’s net staffing change after any other departures or assignments.
Police Chief John Barber also reported that applications remained open for the Citizens’ Academy. The update gave residents an avenue to become more familiar with their local police organization, alongside the department’s everyday enforcement responsibilities.
Transportation: council approves an ALDOT maintenance agreement
The February 2 minutes record adoption of Resolution 1579-2026, authorizing an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for cooperative maintenance of public right-of-way. Councilmembers present and the mayor voted in favor.
This was an agreement defining a maintenance relationship, rather than a newly announced road-widening project. Keeping that distinction clear helps residents understand how routine infrastructure responsibilities differ from major capacity improvements.
Source for public safety and transportation: City of Spanish Fort, February 23 packet, including February 2 minutes.
City Council and economy: budget hearing and business-park rezoning advance
On February 23, city leaders discussed the proposed fiscal-year 2025–2026 general operations budget and announced a March 2 public hearing. The February record therefore marks a step in the budget process, rather than proof that the spending plan was adopted that night.
Councilmember Curt Smith reported a positive Planning Commission recommendation to rezone Lots 4 and 5 in Woodside Business Park from B-2 to B-3. The council introduced the ordinance and announced a March 16 public hearing. The distinction matters for economic-development coverage: a favorable recommendation and ordinance introduction do not by themselves establish final rezoning or a new business opening.
The council also approved Resolution 1581-2026, allowing the mayor to appoint and hire a provisional or temporary administrative employee. Together, the actions show attention to the city’s operating capacity, financial planning and commercial land-use process.
Source: City of Spanish Fort, March 2 packet, including February 23 minutes.
Business and chamber: a cross-bay networking opportunity in Spanish Fort
The Mobile Chamber listed a February 11 Networking at Noon session at Ralph & Kacoo’s, 1595 Battleship Parkway in Spanish Fort. The noon-to-1 p.m. program was designed for members to introduce themselves and their businesses to other professionals.
The listing limited reservations to 25 participants, with one representative per company, and offered each attendee 45 seconds to address the group. The advertised $15 price included lunch. That small-group format created a structured opportunity for business introductions, rather than a large public expo.
The event’s Spanish Fort address illustrates how business connections can extend across the bay. The calendar establishes the advertised opportunity; it does not document attendance, contracts or sales resulting from the luncheon.
Source: Mobile Chamber: Networking at Noon, February 11.
High school sports: basketball postseason and an early softball win
Spanish Fort’s girls basketball team fell 48–39 to Gulf Shores in the Class 6A, Area 2 tournament on February 7. AL.com reported that Brooke Boudreaux led the Toros with 19 points. Gulf Shores controlled the middle of the game, outscoring Spanish Fort 23–5 across the second and third quarters.
The result sent third-seeded Gulf Shores past second-seeded Spanish Fort and into the area final. It was a significant postseason outcome, with Boudreaux’s scoring a notable individual contribution in the defeat.
Source: AL.com: February 7 area basketball tournament results.
Later in the month, Spanish Fort softball defeated Tate 7–1 during a Saturday tournament at Foley High School, according to NorthEscambia.com’s February 22 report. The tournament’s Friday play had been canceled because of weather. The six-run victory supplied an early-season result as community attention began shifting toward spring sports.
Source: NorthEscambia.com: February 22 tournament report.
Read the January 2026 State of Spanish Fort report.