Foley's plans for the recently annexed Mills community are set to include new sidewalks, following the approval of a resolution by the City Council.

The council voted to greenlight the engineering phase for a pedestrian improvement project in Mills, encompassing surveys, design, environmental permitting, and construction inspection services. The proposed 5-foot concrete sidewalk is slated to run along Airport Road, Daily Lane, Little Rock Road, Mills Road and Baldwin County 65.

The decision to bring Mills into the city was made by residents in August 2023, and Mayor Ralph Hellmich highlighted Foley's commitment to ongoing improvements in the area.

“We've gotten the Mills Community Park off and running,” he said. “We’ve cleared out the area and we'll continue to improve that during the year. Our Mills community annexation, now that all of that community is now one and part of Foley, we'll continue to upgrade that area. We have a sidewalk project under design right now to make them part of our city just like the rest of the city.”

In addition to the sidewalk project, the Foley City Council, on Jan. 2, voted to approve a first reading zoning the park site as open space preservation. City officials are actively engaged in drainage improvements within the area.

Mayor Hellmich provided updates on the progress, indicating that work has commenced to clear the 4-acre parcel designated for the park. The planned walkway will extend around the park and into various areas of Mills.

“It’s forest mowed now and then we’re going to go into the design phase of the park itself,” Hellmich said “This is for the pedestrian walkway that goes around that square and also had some alternatives down Cater Lee and also on Airport Road.”

Acknowledging the financial aspects of the project, city officials revealed plans to seek community development block grant funding to offset some of the costs. Mayor Hellmich expressed optimism about the potential for grant qualification.

“This will mean a new park in a new area,” Hellmich said. “We feel like we have a better chance so if we get the grant money that would be good.”