By Cary Estes

July 18, 2018

Given enough time - decades if not centuries - the steady combination of waves and wind will change the appearance of any coastal community. The  city of Gulf Shores decided to escalate that process, and has undergone a major transformation in less than five years.

Following the 2010 BP oil spill, Gulf Shores officials concluded that they needed to diversify the city's economy, create new opportunities for residents and give the entire area an extensive facelift. In 2014, with assistance from the  Alabama Communities of Excellence program, the city adopted the 

Vision 2025 plan, which identified areas of focus for "the growth of Gulf Shores."

"Working with ACE made us realize that we needed a better strategic plan, particularly after the oil spill," Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft said. "It drove home the lack of economic diversity and the weaknesses in our economy.