Foley recognizing ‘Century Trees’ more than 100 years old
FOLEY – On Charolais Road, two oaks stand where they have been growing since about the time that Foley was founded more than 100 years ago. The two live oaks on the property of Harold Hamburg were recognized recently in the Foley Century Tree program. In the program, city officials and supporters work to find and recognize the oldest living trees in Foley. During a presentation recognizing the trees, Hamburg said he recalled the trees growing at what was once his parents house when he was a child. “I’ll be 85 and as [...]
Foley working on statewide disaster assistance plan
FOLEY – Local fire departments and other emergency services are working on a mutual aid system that could get relief to first responders and residents sooner after disasters such as hurricanes. Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby said aid has sometimes been slow to reach Foley and other south Baldwin cities after storms. “Immediately after Hurricane Sally, quite frankly before the wind quit blowing, Orange Beach Gulf Shores in particular, reached out as well. We started requesting resources from other parts of the state,” Darby told Foley City Council members. “We knew right off [...]
Renovations planned for closed 1925 Foley bakery building
FOLEY – The owners of the former Foley Bakery building, closed for more than 15 years, plan to start improvements to the almost century-old structure in hopes of reopening the facility. The Foley City Council voted Monday, March 20, to approve a facade grant for $19,500 to pay some of the costs of replacing and doors and other improvements to the building. The replacement of the windows and doors is estimated to cost $200,998. Mark Wright of 4Wright Investments, one of the owners of the building, said work should start in the next [...]
Foley getting $2.79-million wetlands restoration grant
FOLEY – Work should start in early 2024 to restore wetlands near the head of Wolf and Sandy creeks following action by the Foley City Council. The council voted Monday, March 20, to accept a grant of almost $2.79 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Leslie Gahagan, Foley environmental director, said officials have been working on plans for the project. The new grant will allow work to start. “We've been in the Phase 1 design for a while now,” she said. “We still have about another six months, but NFWF went [...]
Watch Art Come Alive! in Downtown Foley
Something unique is happening in Downtown Foley on April 28th. Watch public art come alive at the CATalyst event. CATalyst is the kickoff event for Cat Alley - a community effort to add more public art in Downtown Foley, create gathering places and promote connectivity. ARCY, an internationally known artist, will be painting an 8' by 12' mural in 4-6 hours while we watch. It all happens in the Foley Art Center parking lot located at 211 N. McKenzie Street across from Heritage Park. The fun kicks off at noon. It is free [...]
North Pecan Street extension opens in Foley
FOLEY – New routes are giving Foley drivers more north-south options through the city. The extension of North Pecan Street Foley opened Wednesday morning. The project, about 2,000 feet long, creates a new route from East Peachtree Avenue to Fern Avenue. The extension of Juniper Street from its current southern end at Miflin Road, Baldwin County 20, to Alabama 59 is also on schedule. Crews should finish that work by summer, Chad Christian, city engineer, said. Plans for another project to extend South Pecan Street from Lay Lane to Pride Drive should start [...]
Foley making plans for new $20-million library
FOLEY – A new Foley library, twice the size of the current structure will not only be a place to check out books, but a community center and learning facility when it opens in about two years, city leaders said. The library will be built on city property south of the Foley Post Office, near the city Dog Park, Mayor Ralph Hellmich said Foley has outgrown the current library. “We've been in and now since 2006, and we’ve pretty well maxed that library out,” Hellmich said. “We knew we had a choice. We [...]
Foley flood insurance rating improves
FOLEY – Improved flood ratings mean that many Foley homeowners will be paying less for flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System announced that Foley’s rating increased one level. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the change will cut insurance payments for many property owners. “It reflects that we have done well at managing our floodplain resources,” Hellmich said. “We're getting a bump to a better rating and it's going to translate to everyone who has flood insurance in Foley to a 5% to 15% savings off of your premiums. That's a [...]
Foley agenda includes $2.79 million wetlands project grant
Foley City Council March 20 agenda FOLEY – Restoring wetlands near the head of Wolf and Sandy creeks at a cost of almost $3 million is among the items to be considered by the Foley City Council on March 20. The council work session and meeting start at 4 p.m. at Foley City Hall. The restoration project includes work on marsh, bays, estuaries and coastal and marine resources. The Wolf Bay Watershed Management Plan identified the project as a priority. The council is scheduled to vote on accepting a grant of almost $2.79 [...]
Foley among nation’s leaders in fortified homes
FOLEY – Foley leads almost every city in the United States in building homes designed to withstand the impact of hurricanes and other weather events, according to the most recent report from SmartHomes America. Foley ranked third in the country in the number of homes designated as “fortified.” Fortified homes are built with reinforced roofs and other measures intended to protect the buildings from storm damage. Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said city building codes require the higher standard of protection. “All the new houses are pretty much being built to the gold standard [...]