FOLEY — The city of Foley is planning to ring in its centennial anniversary, with bells and all.

During a kick-off celebration Thursday evening at Foley Civic Center, the city unveiled its plans for a plaza that would herald a milestone.

“Jan. 8, 2015 will be a hundred years that this community has been alive and well,” Foley Mayor John Koniar said at the celebration.

Plans to mark the Forward City’s 100th anniversary include the addition of a 52-foot clock tower containing 32 brass bells, which have the ability to play 10,000 songs, to Heritage Park.

“The plaza will provide two stage areas, graceful landscaping, seating, beautiful chimes and music as added amenities in the wonderful park that is the cornerstone for our community,” states brochure information distributed at Thursday’s celebration.

David Vosloh, who chaired the committee that coordinated the project to design the plaza, explained that the idea for the structure came about when the city acquired a bell tower for half price after it had been re-possessed.

“They (city officials) wanted it to be bold and to make a statement,” he said Thursday, “and they wanted it to be accessible and have repetitive use.”

With that in mind, the plaza was designed with the idea that both large events, such as concerts, and smaller events, such as weddings, could be held at the stages. Those stages, along with the rest of the structure, will be situated at the mid-west side of the park, adjacent to the Rose Trail.

“You want it to be visible, with a high opportunity for interaction,” Chad Watkins of WAS Design Inc., added.

Vosloh pointed out that it will be complementary to the park’s Railroad Museum and train, which takes visitors on trips around the park.

“We’ve made it so the train can travel underneath it,” he said.

Both Watkins and Vosloh explained that Heritage Park was selected from among five potential locations in the Forward City, because of its features, use and centralized location.

“Heritage Park became the go-to place for the plaza,” Watkins said.

With the tower portion on hand, the location selected and design plans in place, fundraising efforts are now under way. During Thursday’s celebration, Fundraising Committee Chair JaNay Dawson explained that several opportunities to fund the project are available at a variety of price points. At the top of the list are large- and medium-column plaques for $2,000 and $,500, and small-column plaques for $1,500.

According to Dawson, some of these have already be tapped.

“There are nine (small-column plaques) left,” she said.

Engraved cast-stone pavers are $750, while commemorative centennial bricks are $50 for four-inch-by-eight-inch and $125 for eight-inch-by-eight inch.

Plus ornaments depicting the centennial tower and Foley’s centennial dates are available for purchase at $15 each.

“The Christmas ornaments will be here in October,” Dawson said, “and they’ll be available at the Festival of Flavors.”

Plus, residents can also contribute to the tower’s music portfolio by adding songs at $10 each.

“This bell tower is capable of playing 10,000 songs,” Dawson said Thursday, as examples of the tunes chimed in the background. “We want to make sure we get every one.”

She also pointed out that some portions of the structure are already paid for.

“Riviera Utilities donated $25,000 for the east stage,” Dawson announced, adding that Foley High School Principal Russ More and Dr. Bill Lawrence of Foley Elementary have committed to funding the center ramps.

She added that she wasn’t surprised by the donations to the project.

“We in Foley have always turned out,” Dawson said. “We have always supported our city.”

For more information about contributing to the Foley Centennial Plaza, call Foley City Hall at 943-1545.