Foley is moving ahead with plans to build the city’s fourth fire station following the acquisition of property that will expand fire protection coverage on the north side of the city.
Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby said the parcel on East Fern Avenue has been donated to the city and officially recorded. The Foley City Council recently voted to seek design proposals for the new facility.
Darby said the next step is issuing requests for proposals, commonly known as RFPs, inviting architectural and engineering firms to submit concepts for the future Fire Station No. 4.
“Our next step would be to solicit architectural engineering firms to put together some design ideas for us,” Darby said. “We’ve already put a RFP together and got some ideas about just general scope, and think there’s going to be quite a bit of interest in firms that will submit for that.”
Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the project reflects the city’s continued efforts to keep public safety services aligned with Foley’s growth.
“Growth requires planning, and this project is an example of the city working to ensure that public safety infrastructure keeps pace with development,” Hellmich said. “This will improve our ability to protect our residents and visitors as Foley develops. Our medical services are expanding in this area in addition to new homes and businesses coming in. This station will also allow our first responders quick access to two of our major highways.”
Darby said that if proposed designs align with the city’s budget, the current timeline calls for design work to continue this year with construction expected to begin next year.
The five-acre parcel on East Fern Avenue will provide convenient access to both Alabama 59 and the Foley Beach Express, helping emergency crews respond quickly throughout the growing northern area of the city.
Current plans call for a portion of the property to be used for the new fire station. Riviera Utilities is also studying the possibility of using the remaining acreage for a future well and water storage facility.