Foley's downtown area is set to see a change as the city moves forward with a project to connect the Foley pedestrian bridge with City Hall and other downtown attractions.

The initiative, recently approved by Foley City Council, will create a walkway complete with columns and canopy lights, bringing a fresh look and accessibility to Heritage Park and East Jessamine Street.

The walkway will extend through Heritage Park, linking with North Cypress Street and the planned Jessamine Avenue improvements. The project is part of Foley's broader efforts to make downtown an inviting area for strolling, recreation and community gatherings.

Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich shared his enthusiasm for the new developments, noting that they will improve downtown as a location for strolling and recreation.

"We will tie it into the Jessamine Avenue project that is going to bid," Hellmich said. "That will repave East Jasmine Avenue. It will have sidewalks, and it will tie in City Hall all the way over to the middle school. It will also upgrade our Heritage Park with new electrical connections, lighting, including lights in the trees."

The upgrades include replacing the existing wooden light poles with elegant black double galleon lights, matching those on the north end of the park. New pavers, entry walls and columns will be added to the east side of Heritage Park to complement the existing features around the Centennial Clock tower on the park's west side.

"This will continue the symmetry of the park to the north, south, east and west," Hellmich said. "This would carry that over to Jessamine and all the way over to City Hall."