Foley city officials are moving forward with a series of upgrades at the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market and the Foley Sports Tourism complex, adding new amenities designed to support growth, improve visitor experience and expand recreational opportunities.

Foley City Council approved design proposals for a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen at the farmers market, along with plans for new permanent restrooms at both the market and the city’s multi-use sports fields near Juniper Street. Additional enhancements will include aesthetic and recreational features across both properties.

At the farmers market, improvements will feature a scenic detention pond and a new fountain facing Baldwin County 20 that is expected to serve as a visual landmark. Plans also call for a walking path to better connect visitors to the market and surrounding park space.

City leaders said combining restroom and concession-related construction into a single bid package is expected to reduce overall project costs and attract more competitive proposals.

"The bid for the restroom facility for the CAFFM will be combined with one for the Sports Tourism Fields so we can reduce some overhead and make it more attractive for bidders," said David Thompson, executive director for leisure services.

The effort will result in two new restroom buildings. At the farmers market, the facility will be constructed between the pickleball courts and the beach volleyball court. At the sports complex, the new structure will replace temporary restrooms that have become insufficient for growing demand at the site.

The commercial kitchen is intended to function as a business incubator for local food entrepreneurs, offering professional-grade space for food preparation and production. Officials said the addition will help vendors scale operations and meet increasing customer demand while supporting the market’s day-to-day activities.

"We view this kitchen as a vital resource for our community," Thompson said. "It will not only assist the market's daily operations but also serve as a 'jump start' for local culinary businesses looking to expand."

Under the council-approved resolution, McCollough Architects will develop design plans for the kitchen project.

The Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market is located at 781 Farmers’ Market Lane, north of Baldwin County 20 and east of Koniar Way. The market operates each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., drawing vendors and visitors from across the region.