GULF SHORES, Ala. — Plans are being made to complete the Homeport Marina with a hotel, conference center and possibly a ferry terminal.

Homeport Marina, best known as the site of Lulu’s at Homeport Marina restaurant and named after her parent’s place that was located on Mobile Bay, sits along the Intracoastal Waterway in Gulf Shores. Lucy “Lulu” Buffett moved to this location several years ago after the state decided not to renew the lease at her previous location on Weeks Bay where she owned Lulu’s Sunset Grill.

Since that time, Mack McAleer, who owns the 27 acres where the Homeport Marina now sits, has been planning to complete the project he started.

“What I am trying to do with the proposed hotel, conference center and ferry terminal is to complete the marina,” McAleer said. “I realize that other hotel and conference centers are being proposed along the Gulf Coast, but this one will be different because of its unique location.”

McAlleer says because the marina is north of the Intracoastal Waterway and because it is 12 feet above sea level, the hotel and conference center will be open 365 days a year, storm or no storm.

While specific plans have not been drawn up, owner representative Ken Carter says they are hoping to develop a 250-room hotel along with a 40,000-square-foot conference center. Carter said the site will also include space for additional restaurants and retail shops.

“This is probably our third plan for the property,” McAlleer said. “First we considered boat storage, then we were thinking about building some condominiums, but after the hurricane we stopped those plans. And hopefully if this works out, we can include the ferry terminal.”

McAlleer said the ferry could run either from Homeport to Mobile and Fairhope or possibly to the casinos in Biloxi, Miss.

Both Carter and McAlleer said several major hotel companies have expressed interest and will be visiting the site over the next several weeks.