Foley improving downtown parking lot
A public parking lot in downtown Foley will be temporarily closed next week as the city completes paving and related improvements at the site. The lot, located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Alabama 59 and U.S. 98, will be closed Monday, April 13, through Friday, April 17, according to City Engineer Taylor Davis. “It’s the parking lot in the middle of downtown,” Davis said. “They plan to pave that next week. Right now, we’re going door to door to adjoining businesses to let them know.” Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the [...]
Foley extending sidewalk system
Sidewalk improvements are continuing across the city as Foley expands pedestrian access along some of its busiest streets, including Alabama 59 and North Cedar Street. The city will install a new sidewalk along the east side of North McKenzie Street (Alabama 59), extending from East Orchid Avenue north to East Section Avenue. The project will connect sidewalks to the site of Local and Company, located in the historic building constructed in 1935 as the original Foley National Guard armory. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the work represents another step toward creating continuous pedestrian [...]
Foley City Council to meet Monday
The Foley City Council will hold its regular work session and meeting Monday, April 6. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. in the council chambers at Foley City Hall. Among the items on the agenda are: Declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Foley. Designating April as National Donate Life Month. Discuss the city’s Fiscal Year 2025 Popular Annual Financial Report. Rezoning property owned by Jarvis and Deborah Sester from Residential Single Family (R-2) to Preferred Office (PO). Rezoning property owned by Rivi Apartments LLC from Extended Business District (B-1A) to [...]
Foley moving ahead with Miflin Road-Beach Express intersection improvements
Improvements planned for the intersection of Miflin Road and the Foley Beach Express are expected to enhance both safety and traffic flow along the busy corridor. The Alabama Department of Transportation has approved a $2 million grant to fund upgrades at the intersection in southeast Foley. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the city has worked closely with ALDOT for more than two years to prepare for the project. Foley transferred ownership of the Foley Beach Express to the state in 2025 following widening and resurfacing work. The route is now designated as Alabama 161. [...]
Foley recognizes area teachers
The Baldwin County Education Coalition recently recognized outstanding educators from across the county while Foley continues to celebrate continued academic progress in area schools. During the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year Banquet, several educators from Foley-area schools were honored as their schools’ Teachers of the Year. Those recognized included: Kerry Becton, multiple disabilities, special education and K-2, Florence B. Mathis Elementary Amanda Welsh, second grade, Foley Elementary Brandy Richard, AP U.S. history, AP human geography, U.S. history II, Foley High Michelle Dillon, science, Foley Middle Kaitlyn Martin, kindergarten, Magnolia Elementary Angela Ingraham, special [...]
Foley continues Beulah drainage improvements
FOLEY – Efforts to improve drainage in the Beulah community while protecting the environment of Wolf Bay are moving forward with the help of new state funding. The Foley City Council has accepted a grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to support continued upgrades to the Beulah Heights Regional Stormwater Facility in southeast Foley. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the work builds on a 480-acre city project that began in 2008 to address longstanding drainage issues in the area. “The water was going directly into Wolf Creek and degrading it, because there [...]
Foley history walking tours set in April
Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to explore more than a century of local history this April during free walking tours of Foley’s downtown historic district. The tours are part of a statewide initiative organized annually by the Alabama Department of Tourism. Alabama is the only state to host coordinated walking tours simultaneously in communities across the state, with more than 30 scheduled in April. In Foley, the guided walks will take place each Saturday morning — April 4, 11, 18 and 25 — beginning at 10 a.m. Each tour lasts about [...]
Foley making plans for new Senior Center building
Plans are moving forward for the construction of a new facility that will serve as the future home of the Foley Senior Center. The Foley City Council voted Monday, March 23, to seek proposals for the design of a new Senior Center building, marking the next step in addressing the city’s growing demand for senior services. David Thompson, executive director of leisure services, said the city previously considered renovating the current library building for use as a Senior Center once the new library opens in 2026. After further evaluation, officials determined that constructing [...]
Foley to continue to use Beach Express road designation
Businesses and residents along the Foley Beach Express can continue using the familiar roadway name in their addresses, even after the route received a new state designation. The Foley City Council has voted to retain “Foley Beach Express” as the official roadway name within city limits. While the highway was transferred to the Alabama Department of Transportation in 2025 and designated as Alabama 161, local addresses will not be required to change. City Engineer Taylor Davis said the city worked closely with the county E-911 system to ensure the Beach Express name remains [...]
New Library-Community Center Nears Completion; Roadway Improvements on Track
Construction is nearing completion on Foley’s new library-community center, along with roadway improvements designed to enhance access to the facility. The Foley City Council has approved funding to relocate books, equipment and other materials from the current library on East Laurel Avenue to the new building once construction is complete later this year. Library Director Kate Norris said the cost of the move is expected to be lower than originally projected. “It did come in under bid,” Norris said. “This is part of our planned project funding, but with the bid that came [...]