Foley City Council to Vote on South Chicago Street Upgrades

John Mullen • May 19, 2025

Graham Creek pavilion project could cost $290K

Foley City Hall

Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Foley will consider a proposal from Jade Consulting to make streetscape improvements on South Chicago Street from U.S. 98 to East Orange Avenue. The plan will include improvements along 400 linear feet of the roadway. This will include determining the rights-of-way locations in the area. Surveys will also determine how driveways, drainage and other infrastructure will be improved in the project.

 

The city council will meet on May 19 in council chambers at city hall at 4 p.m. Jade’s plan for the South Chicago Street project, if approved by the council, would cost $65,000.

 

During the joint meeting, the council will also:

 

  • Declare May as Older Americans Month.
  • Receive a report on tax collections in April, including $3.4 million in sales tax or about $300,000 less than 2024 collections and about $57,000 over budget projections. Foley collected $260,514 in lodging taxes in April, about $23,000 over 2024 collections and $55,000 over budget projections.
  • Receive a report from Community Development showing the city issued 25 new building permits for single-family residential with a valuation of $9.3 million and two new commercial permits with a valuation of $9.8 million.
  • Receive a report from the police department showing 257 inmates were processed through the city jail, 14 arrests for theft, 13 arrests for shoplifting and 11 arrests for simple assault domestic violence. Police were called out 2,244 times in April.
  • Receive a report from the fire department showing crews were called out 46 times for medical assists, 20 times for motor vehicle accidents with injury, 27 motor vehicle accidents with no injury, 24 times to assist an invalid and 27 times crews were called out and canceled en route.
  • Approve expenditures of $9.6 million during April.
  • Consider approving a fireworks show at OWA for July 5 with a makeup date of July 6.
  • Discuss spending $18,982 to complete a project for decorative bollards in downtown.
  • Consider awarding the bid for a lighting project on West Jessamine Street from State Route 59 to North Alston Street for $141,000. Staff will also ask for a $70,000 increase in the total cost of the extension of East Jessamine Street, making the total $495,000.
  • Discuss approval of an event pavilion and going to bid on the installation and site work for the project at Graham Creek Nature Preserve for $290,000.
  • Consider a five-year contract with Volkert for professional services at the Foley Airport.
  • Discuss bids awarded by the city in April including $396,705 for the work on the West Peachtree sinkhole, $54,951 for fencing at the soccer complex, $76,860 for door access controls, $25,375 for ADA ramp, deck and stairs for the finance modular building and $15,652 for magnetic door access for the finance building.
  • Consider waiving fees for the use of Heritage Park for the Julio Jones Squad to have a Juneteenth event on June 19.
  • Discuss accepting a donation of $5,000 from Frank Rikard to help purchase rescue tools for the fire department. Rikard will be recognized for donating more than $60,000 to the city’s police and fire departments.
  • Consider approving $250,000 for the replacement of sheet metal on the east side of Station No. 1 and gutters on two sides of the building.


Share this article w/ Friends...

Foley City Hall
By John Mullen July 6, 2026
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Foley will consider a contract to begin a project to upgrade the streetscape along West Orange Avenue in downtown. The first step will be to hire an engineering firm to propose a plan and supporting documents for the street improvements.
Your Weekly Guide to the Alabama Gulf Coast
By Jessica A. Taylor July 6, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Another week, another reason to head out and explore the Alabama Gulf Coast. Whether you’re visiting for a few days, soaking up summer as a local, or simply looking for something new to do after work, this week’s lineup offers a little bit of everything. We’ve gathered seven days of fun—fr
Gulf Shores City Hall
By John Mullen July 6, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – After several years of infrastructure projects near the city’s beachfront in surrounding neighborhoods – parking, sidewalks, streetscape, and drainage – Gulf Shores will now focus on a new direction. The city is planning a new tax incentive program to support business development in the area
Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show
By OBA Staff July 5, 2026
Pensacola Beach, Fla. — (OBA) — Pensacola Beach will once again welcome thousands of spectators as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels return for their annual hometown air show. The event is among the Gulf Coast's largest attractions this summer. Visitors from across the Southeast are expected to attend the aerial demonstratio
Cedar Point Oyster Cultch Barge
By OBA Staff July 5, 2026
Mobile Bay, Ala. — (OBA) — Limestone barges are traveling across Alabama to help restore oyster reefs in Mobile Bay. The effort is part of a major conservation project led by the Alabama Wildlife Federation and its partners. The rock, known as oyster cultch, will provide a hard surface for young oysters to attach and
School Lunches - Stock Image
By OBA Staff July 5, 2026
For the 2026-2027 school year, Baldwin County Public Schools will continue to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The district announced that no further action is required of parents or guardians, as eligible students will automatically r
Orange Beach Honors American Veterans
By OBA Staff July 4, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of its founding this Fourth of July, Orange Beach is honoring the milestone with a permanent tribute to its veterans. The City of Orange Beach has launched a commemorative brick program at the Orange Beach Veterans Memorial on Orange Beach Boulevar
Orange Beach Lady Makos - Photo by Brent Williams, Wolf Bay Media
By R. Peevy July 4, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — State 4A Champions, Ranked 4th in the nation, State's Player of the Year, and Five Players selected for the All-State Team. It seems like the accolades just keep building for the Orange Beach Makos softball team. But wait, there is one more to add.
2025 Orange  Beach Pop Up Party in the Park
By OBA Staff July 4, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — A free community block party is coming to Marjorie Snook Park in Orange Beach one week from today. The city invites residents and families to gather for an outdoor night of live music, lawn games, and food. The event is free and open to the public. A kids' zone and local food trucks will
The Fourth of July Holiday is a Busy Boating Weekend in Orange Beach
By OBA Staff July 4, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach Surf Rescue lifeguards are prepared and on duty to keep beachgoers and boaters safe during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The holiday weekend draws large crowds to the sugar-white sands and waterways of Orange Beach, Alabama. Officials urge residents and visitors to take
Show More