Planners will be in Foley in February to meet with residents and officials as part of the effort to develop a strategic plan to guide the community as it grows and develops.

The city will hold three community forums on February 7th and 8th in locations around Foley. During the meeting, residents will have a chance to talk to plan organizers about Foley’s upcoming challenges and opportunities.

The first meeting is at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve at 23030 Wolf Bay Drive.on Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

On Thursday, Feb. 8, a forum will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Foley Senior Center at 304 East Rose Ave. The final forum will be Thursday, Feb. 8 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Well at the Foley United Methodist Church at 915 North Pine Street.

The Foley plan will help set a direction for the city’s future by outlining goals and objectives. Another goal is to help prioritize the use of resources so that funds, personnel and equipment are used in the best way possible. 

The plan will also focus the city’s efforts on the areas identified as most critical to achieving the desired outcomes. The city can also adapt the plan as circumstances change. 

As part of the plan development, the city has been conducting a survey asking residents and other stakeholders about their opinions and concerns as Foley grows. A link to the survey is available at the top of the city’s website: https://cityoffoley.org/

The survey is continuing while the plan is being developed.

At the meetings, planners will discuss some of the initial responses to the survey and how city officials are addressing some of those concerns.

Some comments concerned growth and development. Many comments stated concerns about the amount of growth in Foley. The city’s population is now about 25,000, according to census estimates. In the 2020 census, the city had 20,335.

Some responders also said more construction is needed to add more attainable housing that average residents can afford.

Traffic was another concern in the comments. Foley is currently working to add more north-south routes through the city with projects such as the extension of North Pecan and South Pecan streets and the extension of Juniper Street to Alabama 59.

Survey comments also expressed a need for more recreation facilities, such as indoor sites. The city is working on plans to build an indoor aquatic center at Max Griffin Park and to renovate the former National Guard armory that is now city property to create indoor recreation spaces.

Planners will also meet with Foley elected officials and city directors as part of the process to develop the plan.