Foley, Ala. – (GSN) – Foley looks to begin the journey to a new senior center as it considers hiring a firm for the construction design, engineering, and inspection at an upcoming council meeting. The city is looking for plans to be developed from June to December, with the goal of receiving bids in early 2027 and opening the new center in February of 2028.

The council will discuss the proposal in a combined regular/work session meeting on June 15 in the council chambers at City Hall at 4 p.m.

Williams Blackstock Architects’ proposal comes in at $434,920 on a project expected to cost about $5 million. Officials hope to start construction in March with a “substantial completion date” target of February 2028.

During the joint regular work session, the council will also discuss:

• Amending city ordinances to license the sale of hemp products in the city and its police jurisdiction. There will be a public hearing on the proposed change.
• Plans for the Foley Aquatics Center, including elevation, parking, and a basic floor plan for the center.
• Spending $8.6 million for goods and services in May.
• A report from the building department shows that 23 permits were issued for single-family houses in May, compared to 35 in April, and 2 for commercial buildings in May, compared to none in April. The homes have a valuation of $7.5 million and the two commercial projects are estimated at $6 million.
• A report from the police department shows 287 inmates were processed through the city jail in May for a total of 1,279 for the year. There were 16 reported simple assaults involving domestic violence, 12 for shoplifting, 10 for theft and one for murder/manslaughter. There were 45 arrests in May for controlled substances, 15 for drug paraphernalia, and one for misdemeanor marijuana possession. There were 2,926 calls to the Foley Police in May.
• A report from the fire department shows crews were called out 48 times for motor vehicle accidents, 43 times to assist an invalid, 19 times called out and canceled en route, 11 times for cardiac arrests, and 10 times for unconscious patients. Crews were called out a total of 240 times in May.
• A tax report shows Foley collected $3.4 million in sales tax in May, or about $117,000 more than in 2025 and $103,000 above budget projections. Foley collected $242,855 in lodging taxes in May, or $25,000 more than in 2025 and $33,000 below budget projections.
• An introduction and first reading of an ordinance on the speed limit on Irwin Street between Azalea Avenue and Michigan Avenue.
• An introduction and first reading of an ordinance to donate former L&N Railroad parcels to Loxley, located south of County Road 68 and east of State Route 59.
• Accepting public rights-of-way and infrastructure improvements in the Bay Street Village Subdivision for city maintenance. Bay Street is located west of South Juniper Street and north of East Pride Drive.
• An introduction and first reading of an ordinance adopting a technical design manual for construction standards within the city and repealing certain prior ordinances, according to the agenda item.
• A first reading and introduction of an ordinance amending the city’s building code regarding code enforcement and fire safety.
• Accepting public rights-of-way and infrastructure improvements in three phases of GlenLakes for city maintenance.
• A liquor license for Waffles R Wild at 217 N. McKenzie St., or the same address as Southern Shores Coffee and Breakfast.
• Approving an employee’s retirement award for July 1. No information was given on who the retiree is or the award.
• Approving further funding for the West Lawson and Pine Street extension project and accepting a contract from Sawgrass Consulting for $195,025 “to get the surveys and designs completed,” a memo from Chad Raybon states.
• Declaring weeds at 407. W. Fig Ave. as a public nuisance and ordering its cleanup.
• Accepting the Alabama Semiquincentennial Community Grant of $2,500 to help with the Flags of Freedom self-guided historical scavenger hunt at Graham Creek Nature Preserve.
• Bids were let during May, including $259,823 to McElhenney Construction for Iberville Square turn lanes, $157,618 to PL Russell for Fern Avenue turn lanes, $45,285 for a four-wheel truck for the municipal complex from Moyer Ford, and $30,608 for the purchase and installation of bleachers at Aaronville Park. Bids for a truck with a landscape dump body for Parks and Recreation were all rejected.
• Approving a light for the Peachtree Subdivision for $3,224.
• Changes in the city’s pay classification in the Marketing Department for communications positions.
• A resolution to approve change order number one on the construction of the first responder safe room, adding $176,000 to enhance existing infrastructure.
• Declaring as surplus Lt. Glenn Hartenstein’s badge and service weapon and donating it to him as a retirement gift.
• Setting a public hearing declaring weeds as a public nuisance at 219 W. Palm Ave. and ordering their cleanup.
• Using cash from the “restricted drug account” and donations to buy an emotional support dog for the police department for $11,500.
• Reappointing Jerry Morrison and Tyler Higginbotham to the Foley Historical Commission, reappointing Perry Hand to the Riviera Utilities Board, and Dr. Brett Taylor to the Library Advisory Committee.
• Paying $30,000 for architectural and foundation design for a 60-by-20-foot prefabricated building for a kennel to temporarily house stray dogs at 12131 Bender Road. The plans by Adams-Stewart Architects will also include footprints for two other buildings: one 10,000-square-foot administration building and a second 20,000-square-foot police training building.
• Approving an application for a Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development grant of $5,000 for nonprofit or government groups. The application is due by June 30, and projects must be completed by July 1, 2027.
• Approving a proposal from West Baldwin Land and Timber to harvest wood from the Foley Beach Express West Industrial Park, west of the Foley Beach Express and North of Doc McDuffie Road.
• A contract with WAS Design for landscape architectural services for the Rose Trail North segment rehab, in the amount of $25,500.
• Waiving fees for the use of Heritage Park and Pavilion for the South Baldwin Chamber’s Walk This Way 5K and after party on Sept. 12.