Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival seeking 2024 artist
FOLEY – The South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce is looking for an artist to design the artwork for the 2024 Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festiva. The artwork will be used on posters and t-shirts used in the 20th-annual festival. The three-day event is scheduled for May 2 through May 4 at the OWA Parks and Resort in Foley. Criteria that will be considered in selecting the artist will include: The artwork must be original by artist. The artist must be 18 years of age or older. The theme should include: hot air [...]
Foley plans another downtown mural
FOLEY – Another mural is in the works to add to the growing number of displays in downtown Foley. The latest mural would be placed on the building wall near the new flagpole on the east side of South McKenzie Street. The Foley Beautification Board is developing plans for the outdoor artwork. The board will decide on a price to pay for the project then ask local artists for submissions. Darrelyn Dunmore, executive director of Foley Main Street, said the board can then work with the artist on the details for the project. [...]
Foley plans $1.2 million in airport improvements
FOLEY – The Foley City Council will consider plans for almost $1.2 million in airport improvements when it meets Monday, July 17. The council meeting and work session will begin at 4 p.m. at Foley City Hall. On the agenda is a resolution to accept a bid of about $1.2 million to build an access taxi-lane and an eight-unit hangar at the Foley Municipal Airport. Also on the agenda is a resolution to accept grants from the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to pay part of the costs of [...]
Foley getting $5 million to expand Graham Creek Nature Preserve
MOBILE – Foley will be adding a large amount of property to the city’s Graham Creek Nature Preserve, greatly increasing the size of what is already one of the largest municipal environmental centers in Alabama. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the grant will be a major benefit for the city and environmental protection. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to expand the Graham Creek Nature Park and to increase the quality of life for our citizens,” Hellmich said. “This is a significant improvement for Foley and for our work to protect the Wolf Bay [...]
It’s official There are FIVE cats in the new Downtown Foley Mural!
Submitted by Foley Main Street Cat Alley, A Foley Main Street project, is beginning to take shape. A new mural has been added to Downtown Foley. The theme chosen for the seven panel 28 by 8-foot community mural was recreation - things to do in Foley, Alabama. Hannah Legg’s concept was chosen out of twelve entries, and she did a stellar job! In the panels you will see the rose trail, pitcher bog plants, scenes from Graham Creek, a tribute to sports tourism, trains for the train museum and more. Also - hiding [...]
Foley expanding sidewalk access on Pride Boulevard
FOLEY – People walking and riding along Pride Boulevard will soon have better access under a project being planned by the city of Foley. The Foley City Council discussed the project to widen the walkway access along Pride Boulevard near OWA Boulevard on July 5. Officials said they will prepare a final recommendation to be presented to the council at an upcoming meeting. Public Works Director Darrell Russell said the plans are intended to widen the 4-foot-wide sidewalk to provide more access for people using the walkway between areas such as OWA, the [...]
Bon Secour River project to reduce Foley flooding
FOLEY – A city project will clear debris and sediment that Hurricane Sally left in the Bon Secour River that is flooding property almost three years after the storm. The Foley City Council voted to approve the project to clear debris at a cost of about $263,000. Darrel Russell, public works director, said much of downtown Foley and nearby areas west of Alabama 59 and south of U.S. 98 are drained by the river. He said the river was cleared after the 2020 hurricane, but more sediment and debris from the storm has [...]
Officials discuss hurricane preparation plans
FOLEY – Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich and other city officials took part in a briefing at the Baldwin County Emergency Operations Center to discuss hurricane preparation topics. Foley officials met with other local mayors, the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency and Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Smitherman. This collaborative gathering will help strengthen the community's emergency preparedness and response efforts, ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents Throughout the meeting, participants discussed innovative strategies, shared valuable insights, and brainstormed effective solutions to enhance local emergency management systems and to work toward a [...]
Annexation vote, new park planned in Mills Community
FOLEY – Residents of the Mills Community will vote Aug. 22 at New Fellowship Church to decide if they wish their community to become part of the city of Foley. The Alabama Legislature approved a bill in May to allow residents to vote on the issue of annexation into the city. The referendum on the proposal will be at the New Fellowship Church at 17535 Little Rock Road. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 22. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said he and two City Council members met with Probate [...]
Foley, county making plans for jurisdictions outside city
FOLEY – Foley and county officials will be working over the next six months to develop an agreement to plan for the growth of subdivisions outside the city’s corporate limits. The Foley City Council voted Wednesday, July 5 to approve an agreement with the Baldwin County Commission to continue the current extraterritorial jurisdiction for six months. Under an act passed by the Alabama Legislature, cities and counties had to reach an agreement on jurisdictions in July or authority now exercised by municipalities would go to counties. The Baldwin County Commission also voted Wednesday [...]