Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley is getting ready to brighten its historic downtown even more. City leaders are moving ahead with a plan to add new lights to outline more buildings in the business district. The project has already changed how the area looks at night. Now, officials say the second phase will expand that glow to additional structures.

The Foley City Council recently approved buying more lighting for the next phase of the downtown program. The city purchased the first set of building outline lights in 2024, and the lights were turned on in January 2025. The first phase began in January when crews placed string lights on buildings along Laurel Avenue.

The project focuses on outlining the shapes of downtown buildings with strings of lights. These lights trace the rooflines and edges of the structures. At night, the outlines give Foley’s historic core a bright, welcoming look. City officials say it also helps draw attention to local businesses.

Taylor Davis, Foley’s city engineer, said the lighting effort has been a clear success so far. He said residents and visitors have responded well to the nighttime view. According to Davis, more business owners have now asked to be included in the program. That growing interest helped lead to the decision to move into the second phase.

“These are the downtown building lights that we’ve come to be familiar with,” Davis said when discussing the project. “They’re a hit. These are for additional buildings.” He noted that the expansion will keep the same style of lighting already seen on Laurel Avenue. The goal is a consistent look across downtown.

Under the program, the city provides the lights for the buildings as well as the automatic sensors that control them. Business owners then place the lights on their structures to outline the rooftops and sides. The sensors switch the illumination on at sunset and off at sunrise. That system keeps the lights shining each night without extra effort from business owners.

City leaders say the lighting design is meant to protect Foley’s historic character. The strings of lights sit on the outside edges and do not require major changes to old buildings. The outlines show off the silhouettes of downtown structures rather than covering them. Officials say this approach lets the city highlight its history in a simple, modern way.

Davis said the new purchase of equipment will not only extend the program to more sites. It will also allow the city to replace some of the original lights from the first phase. Updating older sections will help keep the entire display looking fresh and bright. The goal is a clean, even glow across all the participating buildings.

The growing network of lights is now a visible symbol of downtown Foley’s effort to attract people after dark. City officials hope more illuminated buildings will encourage residents and visitors to spend time in the area in the evenings. Local businesses have welcomed the attention that the glowing skyline brings to the district.

City officials say they plan to continue improving the look of downtown as the lighting program moves forward.