Foley updating guidelines for mixed commercial, residential development
FOLEY – An update to the Foley zoning ordinance will allow more mixed commercial and residential development in some areas of the city. The Foley Planning Commission voted in May to recommend that the city approve a zoning ordinance to modify regulations for planned development districts in the municipality. The Foley City Council voted Aug. 7 to approve a first reading on the ordinance. The council is scheduled to vote on final approval at the next meeting Aug. 21. Wayne Dyess, executive director of infrastructure and development, said the changes will allow more [...]
Foley improves employee pay grade classifications
FOLEY – Some Foley city employees will get a raise and all will have additional potential for future salary enhancements under a pay plan approved by the City Council. The council voted to approve a pay classification plan that increases the salary range for municipal pay grades. The action came after a comprehensive study of Foley employee pay. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said Foley officials ordered the study to make certain that city employees receive appropriate pay and benefits. “I would like to say it's so important that these pay studies be done very [...]
Foley increases support for local schools
FOLEY – After one year, a program to provide city financial support for Foley school programs has increased test scores and performance reading, mathematics and other areas. The Foley City Council voted to increase that support from $200,000 to $250,000 for the upcoming year. The Baldwin County Public School System has agreed to match the funding, which will provide a total of $500,000 for Foley area schools. JaNay Dawson, chairwoman of the Foley Education Advisory Committee, said that in the first year of the program, many schools were able to use the money [...]
Sidewalk project to link OWA, Tanger, Foley Event Center
FOLEY – A sidewalk extension project will add more than three quarters of a mile of walkway to link attractions and activity centers in south Foley. The project calls for 4,200 feet of sidewalk to be built linking South Juniper Street near the Tanger Outlet Center with the Foley Event Center and OWA. The estimated cost of the project is about $400,000. City Administrator Mike Thompson said one advantage of the new walkways is that the route will provide pedestrian access for people staying at the J1 Center planned as a residential site [...]
Grocery store development coming to east Foley
FOLEY – A major grocery store will anchor a new retail development that will provide shopping opportunities in east Foley and additional sales tax revenue and new jobs in the area. The Foley City Council voted Monday, Aug. 7 to approve an economic development agreement for the project and road improvements leading to the 10-acre site. The project will be located at the southwest corner of the Foley Beach Express and Miflin Road, which is also known as Baldwin County 20. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said city officials have been working with developers on [...]
German classes being offered
As part of Foley’s Sister City program with the city of Hennef, Germany, residents have a chance to sign up for a German language class being offered by the University of South Alabama. The online classes will be taught by a native German speaker. The eight-week course will be taught over Zoom. Each week’s course will be two hours in length for a total of 16 hours of instruction. The classes will begin Sept. 14. The classes are tentatively set for Thursday evenings, but could be rescheduled to Mondays if the group prefers. [...]
Beautification awards among items on Foley City Council agenda Monday
FOLEY – The Foley City Council will recognize two downtown businesses for beautification efforts Monday. The council is scheduled to present beautification awards at their regular work session and meeting Monday, Aug. 7 at Foley City Hall. The old Foley Hotel building will receive one award. The building, which was constructed in 1927, was the site of a hotel until 1970. Today, businesses operating at the site at the southeast corner of South Alston Street and East Laurel Avenue include the Old Time Stacey’s Soda Fountain. The Foley Hotel building is owned by [...]
Foley hosts annual Baldwin County teacher event
FOLEY – Foley welcomed 4,000 teachers and other educators as the Baldwin County Public School System kicked off the 2023-24 academic year. The annual Teacher Institute took place Friday, Aug. 4, at the Foley Event Center. The event is a gathering of all teachers, staff members and administrators in the county school system before schools open. Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich greeted participants at the start of the event. “This is an incredible event,” Hellmich said. “What an opportunity today. I want to thank you all for coming. I want to welcome or welcome [...]
Five Baldwin County high school graduations to take place in Foley
FOLEY – Students starting their senior year later this month at five Baldwin County high schools will conclude the term with graduation ceremonies in Foley. The ceremonies will take place at the Foley Event Center. Most graduation ceremonies take place in the school’s football stadium. Improvement projects on several fields will not allow the facilities to be used for graduation in May, David Thompson, executive director of leisure services, said. “There are several capital projects that they have going on that will be replacing the turf in several football stadiums, which will not [...]
Foley seniors warned about hurricane repair fraud, other threats
FOLEY – With the height of hurricane season approaching, seniors and other South Baldwin residents should take care against fraudulent claims from people offering to repair storm damage. Kristi Hagood, Baldwin County assistant district attorney, said home repair fraud, identity theft and other forms of deception are common problems in the area. Hagood’s office prosecutes fraud, elder abuse and white collar crimes. She spoke with area residents at the Foley Senior Center during the center’s monthly morning discussion sessions. She said that after hurricanes, property owners can become desperate trying to find someone [...]