BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Bids will be opened March 16 for a boat launch in Lillian which will feature 70 parking spaces, a 200-foot pier, two ramps and overflow parking areas, according to County Engineer Cal Markert.

Landscaping, lighting, irrigation and dredging to accommodate most boats also are planned at the south Baldwin County site, Markert told Baldwin County Commissioners on Tuesday.

The project is awaiting permit approval from the Corps of Engineers and construction should begin May 1. September is the completion date.

Commissioner Charles “Skip” Gruber said the community has asked for a launch for several years.

“The search and rescue teams have to go to Florida now to launch,” Gruber said. “That takes about 30 minutes.”

He said construction plans for a Wolf Bay boat launch is also in the works.