Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley is in the final stages of preparing for one of its most anticipated civic projects in years. Work on the new Foley Public Library and community center is nearing completion. City officials say the move from the current building to the new facility is on schedule. The project is expected to finish in time for a summer opening.

The Foley City Council has approved funding to relocate books and other materials from the current library on East Laurel Avenue to the new building on East Orange Avenue. Library Director Kate Norris said the cost of the move was lower than the city originally expected.

The library is set to open in early summer. During the transition, some library services might be temporarily disrupted as materials, equipment, and staff offices are moved from the current location to the new one.

"It did come in under bid," Norris said. "This is a part of our planned project funding this. But with the bid that came in, we don't need to appropriate as much as we thought."

Road improvements on South Chicago Street, which runs between U.S. 98 and the new library, are also on schedule. The upgraded roadway is expected to be completed before the library opens to the public.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the South Chicago Street work will serve as a welcoming gateway to the new library building.

"Our new project on South Chicago Street is almost complete," Hellmich said. "It is the entrance to our library. It's going to be a beautiful street with landscaping. It's part of our Streetscape Program downtown."

The mayor said the city has been steadily working to modernize its streets for nearly twenty years. "Since 2008, we've been continuing to upgrade these streets, to modernize them, add parking, curbing, drainage, and lighting to make them pedestrian-friendly," Hellmich said. "We're going to keep working on those types of improvements."

The South Chicago Street project includes pedestrian walkways, green spaces, and additional street trees. The city will also install brick pavers and decorative columns, similar to improvements already completed at Heritage Park on Chicago Street. Foley is partnering with Riviera Utilities to add decorative lighting to the corridor as well.

The streetscape work is also intended to slow down vehicle traffic in downtown. City officials say the combination of the new library and improved streetscape reflects a long-term plan for a more walkable and lively downtown Foley.