ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — There is a study in contrast at work near Perdido Pass.

The Gulf restaurant and its outdoor dining room are bustling with activity as the weather continues to warm up and the burgers, fries, grouper sandwiches and daily specials are flowing.

Just to the east of the hustle and bustle the popular seawall continues to erode and tumble into the flowing water of the pass. As recently as October the state Department of Transportation said a plan was being prepared to fix the area that is popular with fishermen and sightseers alike.

But early in 2013, citing financial difficulties, the repair of the wall was removed from the 10-year plan of projects by the department, according to Pre-Construction Engineer Don Powell.

Shaul Zislin had big plans – and still does – for the restaurant made out of shipping containers and an adjoining parcel of land looking over the pass. At one time the seawall played an important part in those plans.

Zislin owns several businesses on Pleasure Island including the Hangout and Surf Style Stores. He is the driving force behind the Hangout Music Festival and the fourth edition will kick off in May.

“We’re disappointed because we gave them an opportunity to partner up, city, state, county and private enterprise to really create something great,” Zislin said. “The fact that this is something they decided not take a look at, I think they lose the potential for a great partnership.”

Zislin envisioned a large public space flowing from the seawall to some city property at the pass, The Gulf and a larger restaurant he still plans to build on the site.

“The big restaurant, we can do by right and we don’t need the seawall for that,” he said. “Forget the bigger restaurant. The whole idea was to create a huge public space. That was the key. That whole area is so deserving of a beautiful park-type public space environment. The whole idea was we as private individuals were willing to take a step and work on your timetable to try and create something that is so much better.

“Obviously, at the end, we think it’s a good business decision, but it also made a lot of sense for the overall feel. We’re part of this community. We want to do good stuff. We take pride in it.”

Zislin is not sure when the new restaurant will go up, but he and developers are studying plans now.

“We’re right now sort of measuring what our options are and seeing what we can do and what makes sense,” he said. “We’re working on it right now.”

As for the seawall, it remains fenced off to keep the public out and continues to deteriorate.

“I think the state is making a mistake,” Zislin said. “Obviously there is potential there for this to be an absolute driving jewel for what we are about and the level of aesthetics that Orange Beach and this area has. I think it’s a missed opportunity.”