FOLEY – City officials plan to demolish a storm-damaged old house on the corner of Foley Airport as part of efforts to improve the facility.
The house on Underwood Road has been abandoned for several years. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the city bought the land to expand airport property.
“It was purchased as part of the airport,” Hellmich said. “It squared off the airport on the north end.”
He said the structure was damaged in 2020. The house was used in the past to store equipment for the city’s model railroad display, but the building is not needed.
“Hurricane Sally though laid a couple of trees and crushed it pretty thoroughly on the west side, so it’s pretty well shot,” Hellmich said.
The City Council voted in May to approve the removal of asbestos siding and other materials from the house at a cost of $12,000.
The council also updated plans to add a hangar and taxiway at the airport. The city plans to construct an eight-unit T-hangar and new taxiway at the facility.
The council voted to approve a change order adding $3,787 to engineering costs for the project, bringing the total for engineering to $259,588. The additions are scheduled to be constructed during the 2023 fiscal year.