Foley Mayor Announces New Building Projects
By Isabella Gomez
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
October 3, 2026
FOLEY, Ala.
Foley continues to grow, as does the amenities for its residents and visitors.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich outlined the city’s plans during his annual State of the City address this week and after the opening of the bigger library, the mayor said the city is ready to renovate and build a few other projects.
Some of those projects planned for 2027 will include a new senior center, aquatic center, and World War II naval aviation museum.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich outlined the city’s plans during his annual State of the City address this week. He emphasized the importance of improving infrastructure, expanding recreational opportunities, and maintaining public safety as Foley continues to grow.
The city is in the heart of Baldwin County and has been among the state’s fastest-growing cities for several years, and Mayor Ralph Hellmich said officials are doing what they can to manage the growth.
“We didn’t try to do that,” Hellmich said. “So, we’ve been working really hard and our council recognized that growth was coming.”
“When I got elected in 2020, I laid out five to four courses of action, which we’re following and we’ve incorporated that into the strategic plan,” Hellmich added. All of those are equally important. However, I will say that number one is that your city has to be safe.”
With approval of next fiscal year’s budget, totaling approximately $130 million, Hellmich said even more improvements are coming in 2027.
The former library will be renovated to house city offices and the old public works building is being remodeled to house the parks and recreation department.
“At that point, we will tear down the old parks and recreation and that whole five-acre block right there will be the future home of our new civic center and our new Naval Aviation, Barron Field Naval Aviation, a World War II heritage museum that we are working on right now,” Hellmich said.
The city is building two new roads near Baldwin Health and working on sidewalks and pedestrian routes across the city.
Hellmich said the city pays for projects through capital work projects, grant money, savings, and the general fund. He said the city has worked with the local delegation and developers to complete major building projects.
The mayor emphasized the importance of the new BJ’s Wholesale Club in Foley and said since the announcement, other wholesale companies, such as Sam’s Club and Costco have shown interest in the area.
Hellmich said the city is pushing to bring in new retail and restaurants, but planners are trying to be responsible as growth continues.
“I will tell you, for the people who are anti-growth, I’m not for growth, I’m not against growth.
I’m for good growth, and that’s what we focused on in Foley,” Hellmich said. “We want to make sure that we’re getting good growth. We’ve changed our standards for home-building subdivisions and our impact fees.
Everything is designed to make sure the citizens don’t bear the burden of the growth that’s coming.
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