The city of Foley is planning a project to improve pedestrian and vehicle access along Pride Boulevard, a move that will significantly enhance the connectivity of the area. The Foley City Council discussed the project, which involves widening the walkway access near OWA Boulevard, on July 5. A final recommendation is being prepared and will be presented to the council at an upcoming meeting.

Darrell Russell, the Public Works Director, stated that the project aims to expand the current 4-foot-wide sidewalk, thereby facilitating better access for individuals using the walkway. This walkway connects key areas such as OWA, the Tanger Outlet Mall, and a new recreational vehicle park being developed by OWA.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich revealed that OWA had donated land for the project, which would allow for the expansion of the walkways. As part of the agreement, golf carts will be permitted to use the new, wider access route. Hellmich explained that OWA had negotiated for the right of way, with the understanding that golf carts would be allowed to use the sidewalk to access their property, which is golf-cart friendly.

The OWA RV park already permits golf carts on its roads. The sidewalk expansion would therefore enhance access for residents and visitors of the park, as well as workers and others visiting OWA, Tanger, and other local attractions. Hellmich emphasized the significance of the project, stating that it was more than just an addition to the sidewalk, but a crucial improvement to a prominent area adjacent to the city's sports tourism.

Russell proposed two options for the sidewalk expansion. The first option involves adding a 2-foot wide section to the existing walkway, which would be less costly but result in a brighter new section contrasting with the weathered older sidewalk. The second option would be to replace the current sidewalk with a new one, repurposing the old sidewalk as fill material for city projects.

Council President Wayne Trawick suggested a third option: adding a wider section of sidewalk to the current walkway. He argued that a wider section would be more stable when attached to the existing sidewalk and provide more access for carts and walkers at a lower cost than replacing the entire route. Trawick assured that the new sidewalk would soon weather to match the appearance of the existing walkway.