Latest news with #RalphHellmich
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Foley dedicates improvements to Heritage Park, extension of Jessamine Avenue
FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — The City of Foley dedicated improvements made at Heritage Park Friday, including the extension of East Jessamine Avenue and reopening East Jessamine and North Chicago streets to traffic after about nine months of construction. Fairhope and Daphne hit by 80 mph winds as surprise storm downs trees across Baldwin County According to a City of Foley news release, improvements included the construction of a brick gateway, columns and pavers at the eastern entrance to the park. Additionally, East Jessamine Avenue was extended from the park's gate to Cypress Street, the release said. These improvements create a new walkway that will lengthen the pedestrian bridge that extends over Alabama 59 to Foley City Hall. Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the improvements increased pedestrian access in downtown Foley. 'We've added a sidewalk that ties in City Hall all the way to our middle school,' he said. 'This goes right through the heart of the park.' Other improvements have been made to East Jessamine including two new sets of four-way stop signs at the intersections of North Chicago Street and North Cypress Street, and 20 new parking spaces, the release said. The completion of the eastern gate now gives the park brick entranceways on all four sides, and pavers link the new gate with the Centennial Clock and fountain on the west side of the park, according to the release. 'The clock tower here is the nexus of the park, so we have sidewalks that go north and south and east and west — very symmetrical,' Hellmich said. 'This eastern boundary is now beautified to match all of the other directions of our park. The city worked with Riviera Utilities to install decorative LED lights on Jessamine Avenue and wooden poles that held halogen lights were replaced with black poles holding LED lights. Tornado and storm damage in the News 5 coverage area (Mobile and Baldwin County) Foley's Horticulture Department will also six new trees along the Jessamine Avenue extension. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich to seek another term
FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich has announced he will seeking reelection. Massive bull shark caught outside mouth of Mobile Bay Hellmich said in a news release he is running with the theme, 'Your Mayor. Your Voice,' and said he wants to continue to be 'an accessible, results-driven leader that prioritizes the community needs.' During his stint as mayor, Hellmich has made four core areas of improvement his primary goal — infrastructure, public safety, education and overall quality of life, the release said. According to the release, Hellmich's administration has accomplished a lot in those areas: Infrastructure: In collaboration with Baldwin County and the Alabama Department of Transportation, the city upgraded 27 intersections, implemented a traffic signalization program to improve traffic flow, and improved pedestrian safety with new sidewalks, solar-powered crosswalks and numerous safety grants. Public safety: The city has invested in 'cutting-edge' fire equipment, police technology and programs that educate young adults about public safety careers, plus new fire stations and expanded police facilities have ben built. Education: Partnerships with the Baldwin County Board of Education has led to an additional $600,000 annually to enhance local schools, raise ACT scores and create public safety career paths. Quality of life: The city has added hundreds of acres in parks and upgraded facilities with LED lighting. Additionally, a new $20 million library and community center is being built, with plans to eventually build a civic center and a World War II heritage museum. 'Our commitment is to ensure Foley remains a safe, thriving and welcoming community,' Hellmich said. 'We are dedicated to preserving what makes Foley unique while strategically planning for our future.' Prior to taking the helm as Mayor, Hellmich served 16 years as District 3 Representative on the Foley City Council, serving as Mayor Pro Tem. He is a Certified Municipal Official served on several boards, including the Foley Planning Commission, Redevelopment Authority and Public Facilities Cooperative District. He served as the chairman of the Riviera Utilities Board and served on the University of Alabama Geological Sciences Advisory Board, the release said. Hellmich is a lifelong resident, having graduated from Foley High School. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in Geology and retired as the Regional Operations Supervisor from the State of Alabama Oil and Gas Board, the release said. He currently serves on numerous boards and organizations in the community. He is married to Jo McGill Hellmich and they have three children and one grandchild, the release said. From addiction to hope: Meet Fairhope's Dancing Queen Hellmich will hold a campaign kickoff party, open to the public, Thursday, June 5, from 5-7 p.m. at Hotel Magnolia, 119 North McKenzie Street in Foley. EVENT LOCATION: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Foley temporarily restricting some residential development
FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — The City of Foley is putting a halt to some types of residential development, temporarily at least. Fairhope Pier temporarily closed for construction — what to know According to a Foley news release, the City Council approved the measure in an attempt to allow time to update what it considers key development ordinances that 'shape the city's growth.' 'The move is aimed at protecting Foley's small-town character while ensuring future development meets the community's expectations for quality and design,' the release said. The new ordinance puts a hold on the building of residential subdivisions, multi-family housing, RV parks and mobile home parks, as well as rezoning requests that would 'increase residential density,' the release said. During the moratorium, the city will work on refining its zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations and other land development policies, the release said. The goal is to make sure the updates working within the city's long-range planning efforts, including an update of the city's comprehensive plan, the release said. According to the release, the moratorium — and upcoming revisions to ordinances related to development — are in keeping with the city's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan: 'We will manage and keep pace with our growth with well thought out plans and a regulatory framework that is fair, predictable, sustainable, and consistently applied to create and maintain a high-quality built environment.' Coffee crooks steal — and wreck — Mobile business' trailer 'We recognize that Foley's success and attractiveness as a place to live have brought substantial residential development, but this growth must be balanced with our ability to protect the character of our community,' Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. 'This ordinance is a necessary step to give us time to update our plans and policies in a thoughtful, strategic way.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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. Jim Nagy hired as general manager for football at University of Oklahoma 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. High-speed chase in Fort Walton Beach leads to drug trafficking arrests '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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
