27-02-2025
Foley moves forward with new safe room design
FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — The Foley City Council approved an emergency shelter plan for first responders to use during hurricanes or other emergencies.
According to a news release from the city, the plan's approval means the project can move forward to the next stage.
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has learned that the approved plan calls for a structure with an all-brick facade, the practical design will blend in with other buildings in the area.
'The building is going to look very good,' Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. 'It's very well designed from that standpoint. It will be low maintenance. It will blend with the area.'
The estimated cost of the project is nearly $6 million. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided a grant that will cover most of the cost by about $5 million.
The FEMA grant would have covered the cost of an Exterior Insulation Finishing System, a less-expensive facade that would only cover part of the building with bricks. However, the city chose to go forward with the full-brick design to save on future maintenance expenses.
The project has been ongoing for more than four years, and the approval from the council is a huge step towards the goal of construction.
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'It's important that we go ahead and move this forward so that we can get this to FEMA,' Hellmich said. 'The faster we get this to them for approval, then our architects can start getting this thing designed and then hopefully out to bid.'
The planned facility will offer a secure place for first responders to take shelter from hurricanes or other events. The building may be used as a training center when it's not being used as a shelter.
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