The MHDC is sending this special edition to notify everyone of the actions taken yesterday (Wednesday, December 2) at the Alabama Historical Commission concerning Middle Bay Light.

 

In the morning, the Properties Committee of the Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) discussed and passed by unanimous vote a resolution recommending to the entire Commission that the Middle Bay Lighthouse remain in its historic location and that the Commission dedicate $30,000 per year for maintenance as part of its regular budgeting process.  Following public comments and the report of the Committee, the entire Commission voted at its afternoon meeting to accept the recommendation of the Committee assuring the Light would remain in Mobile Bay.

 

The Alabama Lighthouse Association, a private volunteer organization which has been doing maintenance on the structure, had approached the AHC with a proposal to relocate the Light to Battleship Park.  Citing the expense and difficulties of maintaining the structure located in Mobile Bay, the tourism advantages of having it more accessible to the public, the lack of regular maintenance by the State, and the current need for repairs, the Association made a strong case for its position.  Estimated costs of relocating the Light to the Park was $2,000,000.

 

During the five meetings and a visit to the Light, the Properties Committee listened to proponents and opponents of the move.  Opponents pointed out there were no funds for the move and that $2,000,000 would complete all necessary repairs and cover routine maintenance for a number of years.  They also pointed out that the Light survived Hurricane Katrina while Battleship Park was severely damaged.  However, the argument that made the largest impact was the loss of historic integrity if the Light were moved from its watery surroundings to dry land. 

 

On a roll call vote each committee member replied in the affirmative for the resolution.  Committee Chairman Craig Sheldon thanked the Committee members, the members of the public, staff of the AHC, and the Lighthouse Association for all the work that had been done in researching and discussing the proposal.  He said the the letters of support from both sides along with staff reports was over six inches high.

 

At the afternoon meeting of the full Commission, a public comment period heard two people speak to the question of the Lighthouse.  Captain J.D. Smith of the Bar Pilots association spoke in favor of retaining the Lighthouse in its historic location.  He stated that he and every other bar pilot as well as numerous recreational and commercial boaters used Middle Bay Light virtually every day as an aid to navigation.  This reiterated what the Committee heard at its public fora where others spoke about fond memories of visits to the Light.  Captain Smith concluded that he appreciated the work of the Properties Committee; he thanked the Committee for its morning decision and that he supported it.

 

Dan Dealey representing the Lighthouse Association stated that though the Association believed it was working for the best interest of the structure, he was pleased that the Committee voted to commit maintenance funds to the Light.  He offered the assistance of the Association in fund raising for Middle Bay Light joining an offer made by Captain Smith on behalf of the Bar Pilots.

 

During the full Commission discussion, it was pointed out that there is $120,000 in this year's budget for the Lighthouse and that the Commission would be more than meeting its financial commitment for this year.  It was also noted that the proposed grant to carry out further repairs on the structure could not be requested until 2012, causing one AHC member to immediately accept the offers for fund raising assistance.

 

Also during the discussion, Ann Bedsole, a member of the Commission and a Properties Committee member, was asked about her change of mind concerning the move.  She replied that her initial view was the move would be the ideal solution to continued maintenance; but that after reading the reports, visiting the Light, and listening to both sides of the argument,  she had changed her mind and believed the best solution was to maintain the Lighthouse in its original location and for the Commission to make the financial commitment to maintain it.

 

The Chair of the Commission closed the discussion and began a roll call vote on the resolution proposed by the Properties Committee to maintain Middle Bay Light in its historic location and to budget for yearly maintenance at $30,000.  Answering the roll, each member voted yes passing the resolution unanimously.  Mobilians Ann Bedsole and Elizabeth Sanders joined in the decision.

 

Below is the press release of the Alabama Historical Commission.

 

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