BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Baldwin County, which includes cities like Daphne, Fairhope, and Foley, is the fastest-growing metropolitan in Alabama . To cope with the demands that come along with being one of Alabama’s fastest-growing cities, Foley is planning some major projects following budget approval.
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“We are taking the funds that are being generated by that growth and plowing it back into infrastructure, quality of life, amenities, upgrades, the parks,” Foley’s Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. “The whole purpose is that since we’re in a time of plenty, we need to take that and turn it into serving the citizens.”
According to a news release, the Foley City Council voted to approve a budget that includes more than $85 million in capital improvements.
Those improvements and projects include:
- A new library: estimated cost between $20 and $22 million
- Completion of the Public Works Campus: estimated cost of about $16 million
- Expansion of the Graham Creek Nature Preserve: estimated cost of about $14.9 million
- Safe room to shelter first responders: estimated cost about $5.8 million
- Future industrial park: $5 million budgeted
- Improvements on the Foley Beach Express: $4.7 million budgeted
- Improvements and renovations at Fire Station No. 1: estimated cost of about $1.1 million
- Sidewalk improvements: budgeted $1 million
- Road resurfacing: budgeted $1.3 million
- Capital purchases including a new recycling truck, an automated collection truck and police vehicles: budgeted $4.9 million