FOLEY – A project to add green space and an extended floral trail to downtown Foley won a state award for contributions to the local community.
The program was one of the achievements recognized by Main Street Alabama during its 11th- annual Awards of Excellence Banquet in Monroeville.
Foley won the Planning and Public Space Award of Excellence for its work in the Foley Main Street District with the completion of the Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail. This project took an underutilized parking area and turned it into the connector of the rose trail.
The Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail, which opened in 2007, is a public walking path that winds through the heart of Foley, following the former track of the L&N Railroad line.
The project connected the two sections of the trail. The north section includes about 1.5 miles of antique roses, native plants, flowers and grasses. The trail also includes a shorter southern section.
The project connected the two sections with a walkway between East Laurel Avenue and East Orange Avenue.
Downtown Foley business operators on the west side of the trail said foot traffic has improved since the section opened.
Local Main Street programs also selected a Main Street Hero that honored an individual, business or organization that made an outstanding contribution to their program and was recognized at the Toast to Heroes Reception sponsored by Regions Bank prior to the banquet.
Foley Main Street’s 2023-24 Hero was awarded to Chad Watkins who has served as president of Foley Main Street since its inception in 2018. He has quietly, yet with plenty of humor, guided and helped lead our Main Street program to where it is today. He believes in investing in our organization and believes others should as well. He leads by example and has been one of the organization’s top businesses sponsors every year.
Foley Main Street Executive Director Darrelyn Dunmore said Watkins brings a foundation of stability to the board and, with his landscape design background, has brought a wealth of knowledge and advice to multiple downtown projects working with the city of Foley as well as Foley Main Street. He is willing to “give” a certain amount of advice to the city and Main Street if it is for the greater good of Foley.
“If there is a hiccup in any of the Foley Main Street strategies, Chad does not hesitate. He asks what he can do, who he can talk to and what support can he give,” Dunmore said. “He has Downtown Foley’s back and mine. You cannot ask for anything more from a president.”
The annual Main Street Alabama event was sponsored by Alabama Municipal Electric Authority and University of West Alabama Division of Economic Development and Workforce Development.
Main Street Alabama’s President and State Coordinator, Mary Helmer Wirth, and Assistant State Coordinator, Trisha Black, recognized projects and individuals who made significant contributions to their communities.
The Awards of Excellence program highlighted the tremendous impacts of these honorees in their respective areas. The Awards of Excellence recognized winners in multiple categories. There are a finite number of awards and with the number of designated districts, the competition is tough.
“Last night’s event was a heartwarming celebration of the remarkable achievements of our local Main Street programs,” said Wirth. “The inspiring success stories shared at the event truly highlighted the essence of community spirit and collaboration. It’s a testament to the effectiveness of Main Street’s Four-Point Approach in fostering economic development and preserving historic areas.”
Main Street Alabama has 33 Designated Programs and 29 Network Communities. Alexander City, Anniston, Athens, Atmore, Birmingham’s Historic 4th Ave Business District, Birmingham’s Woodlawn District, Calera, Centreville, Columbiana, Decatur, Demopolis, Elba, Enterprise, Eufaula, Florence, Foley, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Heflin, Jasper, LaFayette, Leeds, Marion, Monroeville, Montevallo, Montgomery, Opelika, Oxford, Scottsboro, South Huntsville, Russellville, Talladega and Wetumpka each have Designated Programs.
Main Street Alabama is a non-profit organization focusing on bringing jobs, dollars and people back to Alabama’s historic communities. Economic development is at the heart of our efforts to revitalize downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
Foley Main Street is committed to increasing the economic vibrancy of Downtown Foley by working on recruitment, facilitation, and the aid to businesses and investors interested in the downtown. The primary focus of this initiative is to increase awareness of the Downtown Foley district and its businesses, as well as working with the existing businesses to facilitate their strength and vibrancy.
As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, Foley Main Street is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by the National Main Street Center.
For more information, visit www.foleymainstreet.com.