Foley council to discuss downtown strategic plan at June 19 meeting
FOLEY – After more than a year of preparation, a plan to guide the development of downtown Foley is ready for discussion and possible adoption by the city. The Foley City Council is scheduled to vote Monday, June 19, on a resolution to adopt the Envision Downtown Foley Strategy Plan. The plan was developed as part of a partnership between Foley Main Street, the city of Foley and Main Street Alabama. The planning process included two public meetings, two tours for the Downtown Professional Network Group and Main Street Alabama, 10 roundtable meetings, [...]
Foley downtown beautification projects near completion
FOLEY – Crews will be putting the final touches on two projects to beautify the downtown area in Foley. An underground vault to cover a pump for the Centennial Park Fountain in John B. Foley Park will be added to the project. Crews are also completing the extension of the Perry Wilbourne Rose Trail across East Laurel Avenue about one block from the fountain. The rest of the work to renovate the fountain was completed at the beginning of May. The plans for the project, however, had not included an underground vault for [...]
Foley working on horse arena improvements, expansion
FOLEY – The purchase of more property next to the Foley City Horse Arena will provide additional parking for equine events and an expansion of city services. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the purchase will also provide more space for storage for the city Horticulture Department under the direction of John Graham. He said the city is also considering using some of the property to extend roads. “This will help us open the property up,” Hellmich said. “We've achieved the buying of the property. Now we have additional storage for John Graham’s crew. We're [...]
New giant flag flying in Foley
FOLEY – A new giant American flag flying over Foley provides a more noticeable patriotic display along Alabama 59 in downtown. The nylon flag replaces a heavier cotton banner. The new flag flying from a 90-foot pole requires less wind to stand out in a breeze, Brenda Shambo, city administrative assistant, told members of the Foley Beautification and Revitalization Board. “We got a new lighter weight flag and it really flies so much better now,” Shambo said. “When this one gets wet, it doesn’t take long before it dries out and it's back [...]
Foley adding more fire trucks, equipment
FOLEY – City officials plan to increase fire protection with additional trucks and other equipment to provide more service as Foley grows. Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby said a new pumper truck is on order and is scheduled to be delivered by September. The city has also approved plans to buy a new ladder truck that could be delivered as early as 2025. The Foley City Council approved the purchase of equipment for the new pumper to have those items ready when that unit is delivered. Darby said the price of the equipment [...]
Foley moving ahead with sidewalk project
FOLEY – Students walking near Mathis Elementary School should soon have a new sidewalk following action by the Foley City Council. The council voted to approve a new sidewalk on Ninth Avenue leading to the school. The projected cost of the work is $43,032. Darryl Russell, public works director, said many city sidewalks are funded under the state Transportation Alternative Program. This project has not yet been granted state funding, but the work is needed. “This is the sidewalk on the north side of Ninth Avenue from Cedar Street going to the west [...]
Foley developing strategic city plan
FOLEY – Foley staff members will be meeting with residents and officials in upcoming months to develop a strategic plan to prepare the city for the future. The Foley City Council voted to hire the company BerryDunn of Portland, Maine to help develop the plan. Wayne Dyess, executive director of infrastructure and development, said the project will help officials make plans on issues such as finances as the city develops. “This is not a land use plan,” Dyess said. “This is more a business strategic plan on priorities, goals and where we're going [...]
Mills residents to vote on joining Foley
FOLEY – Residents of the Mills community will have a chance this summer to decide if they want to join the city of Foley following the passage of an annexation bill in the Alabama Legislature. House Bill 488, sponsored by Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, calls for a referendum in the Mills community to allow residents to determine if their community will be annexed into Foley. The bill received a final vote for passage Thursday, June 1 and now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey to be signed into law. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said part [...]
Foley leads area in population growth
FOLEY – Foley’s population grew by almost 3,000 between 2020 and 2022, an increase that tops any other city in the Mobile Bay area and most other communities in the state, according to a report by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. In 2022, Foley had 23,577 residents to rank 27th on the list of most populous cities in Alabama. Fairhope, with 282 more residents, ranked 26th. Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said city officials are working to manage the effects of growth and to keep Foley a place to which people want [...]
Foley Sister Cities Delegates Return from Hennef Germany
Submitted by Linda B. Spangrud, Executive Director Foley Sister Cities Board of Commissioners Foley, AL – The cities of Foley and Hennef, Germany, are working together in a Sister Cities Partnership, according to the Foley’s Sister Cities Commission. The Foley Sister Cities Delegation returns from their first trip to Hennef, Germany with high spirits and good feelings about their recent trip to investigate a Sister Cities Partnership. Foley delegates were received with warm greetings and special activities from their new friends in Hennef. This is the first people exchange as Foley begins [...]