07-02-2025
Over $17 million to be invested in downtown Foley improvements
FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — The City of Foley along with private investors have put in over $17 million to help improve the downtown area of the city.
According to a city news release, Foley Main Street Executive Director Darrelyn Dunmore recently presented the downtown improvements annual report to the Foley City Council.
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The Foley Main Street program began in 2018 and since then, private investors have provided funds to help renovate downtown buildings and bring new businesses to the city.
'Right now, there's $3,267,000 that has been input by the city for investment into the downtown just since Main Street began,' Dunmore said. 'We know you did a lot of work before that. In this time period, the private investment is now at $14,687,000.'
Projects completed in the downtown area over the past year include:
Opening Cat Alley extension
Creation of the downtown Arts and Entertainment District
LED lights were strung on buildings at Christmas
Renovations on Foley Bakery
Colt Grill opened in a historic building
'Y'all are really getting things done,' Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich told Dunmore. 'There is just so much happening downtown with the opening of various new restaurants and other things. It's all just really impressive.'
FMS is a national program that works to increase the 'economic vibrancy of Downtown Foley,' according to its website.
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The website said FMS had to go through an in-depth application process to be accepted into the Main Street Alabama program.
Members of the state Main Street organization will come to Foley in March to tour the downtown area. They will also hold a training session in the area.
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