As construction moves forward on Foley's new first responder safe room, city and county officials are preparing the site to support emergency operations during hurricanes and other disasters.

Foley City Council recently approved an easement extension tied to the project, allowing utilities to be brought into the facility currently under construction at the intersection of East Berry Avenue and North Poplar Street.

The city acquired the parcel for the project from Baldwin County, which still owns neighboring property adjacent to the site. Officials said the partnership between the two governments remains a key part of the project's development.

"We're not doing the whole easement on the city side," Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. "We're taking half of the city's property and half of the county's so we jointly share that easement coming into both of our properties."

Buford King, Foley projects director, said the combined easements will allow Riviera Utilities to extend electrical service to the site.

"The two easements, working together, will give Riviera the access they need to bring power into the first responder safe room," King said.

In addition to utility work, Foley is also improving infrastructure around the site. City council approved a separate resolution to install three decorative streetlights along East Berry Avenue near the facility.

Construction on the safe room began earlier this year and completion is scheduled for 2027.

Once finished, the facility will serve as a hardened shelter for firefighters, police officers and other emergency personnel during hurricanes and severe weather events. Officials said the building will also function as a training center when it is not being used as an emergency shelter.

Plans call for the facility to be able to house more than 200 people during a hurricane. The structure is being designed to withstand wind speeds up to 200 mph, meeting standards typically associated with critical emergency infrastructure in hurricane-prone coastal regions.

The safe room will also include a 400-kilowatt generator capable of operating on natural gas or diesel fuel, allowing the facility to remain operational during extended power outages. The building will feature kitchen facilities and other accommodations needed to support emergency personnel during major weather events or disaster responses.

As construction continues, crews are preparing for one of the project's next major phases with a large concrete pour scheduled for this week.

The concrete pour is planned to take place in the early morning hours to reduce traffic disruption near the site at the intersection of North Poplar Street and East Berry Avenue.

The pour is scheduled to take place between May 18 and 22, with work tentatively planned for either Wednesday, May 20, or Thursday, May 21.

Mobilization could begin at midnight, with the pour beginning between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., depending on the availability of concrete. Residents in the area may notice additional noise and lighting while the work is taking place.

The pour is expected to be completed in about four hours.

Additional truck traffic is also expected during the process. Construction traffic will use North Poplar Street during the pour. No streets are scheduled to be closed while the work is taking place.