Orange Beach, Ala. — (GSN) — In a special-called meeting, the Orange Beach City Council will consider hiring a real estate appraisal firm to assess a much-discussed 24-acre parcel near City Hall. Beech’s Campground and RV Park has occupied the parcel for years, and developers recently looked into buying it for a pirate-themed tourist attraction.

The council will meet at noon on June 29 in the council chambers at City Hall. The next day, June 30, the council will meet in a work session at 11 a.m. in the south conference room at City Hall.

Orange Beach will consider paying $8,500 to Heron Valuation Group “to provide

real property appraisal services for a potential land acquisition,” according to the agenda item.

Items on the pirate dinner theater began showing up on city agendas for the planning commission and council since February but have met staunch opposition from citizens, mainly for their location in the heart of the city’s main north-south thoroughfare.

Two of the alternatives discussed moving the location of the attraction north of the Intracoastal Waterway, and other residents suggested the city buy the property for a park or other uses.

After the initial meeting on the appraisal resolution, the council will meet in executive session to discuss pending litigation.

During the June 30 work session, the council will discuss:

• Potentially suing manufacturers and retailers of fire trucks for violations of federal antitrust laws.
• A property acquisition. The agenda didn’t state where the property was located or if it was the Beech’s property.