FOLEY – With the Foley Public Works campus on North Poplar Street nearing completion, city officials are moving forward with plans for the current Public Works site on East Violet Avenue.
At its meeting on Monday, Sept. 15, the Foley City Council approved funding to renovate the existing facility. The project will provide long-term space for the parks division of Parks and Recreation Department and the Horticulture Department.
“As Public Works moves to their new campus, we’ll have the opportunity to relocate Parks and Horticulture into this building,” said David Thompson, executive director of leisure services. “We plan to renovate the site to make it a comfortable, functional space that will serve these departments for the next 20 years. This is a strategic solution, not just a temporary fix.”
The recreation division of Parks and Recreation will be moving to the former National Guard armory building now being renovated behind City Hall.
Plans call for construction of a new 2,500- to 3,000-square-foot office building and the removal of fuel tanks once used by Public Works and Sanitation Department vehicles.
The new Public Works campus is expected to be completed in January. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the transition will allow the city to expand facilities along the Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail, north of Heritage Park.
“Parks and horticulture will relocate there, and new greenhouses and other facilities will be added to support Beautification Committee projects,” Hellmich said. “Once Parks moves into its new home, we’ll also be able to repurpose their current site.”
Hellmich added that Foley is also working to acquire additional property in the area for future city services, including a new civic center and museum.