FOLEY — The new fire station at Glen Lakes subdivision in Foley is one step closer to reality, as a sign has been placed to mark the spot.

During Monday’s work session of the Foley City Council, Fire Chief Joey Darby provided an update of the project to provide a firehouse in the city’s most populated subdivision that houses more than 500 residents.

As previously reported last June, Glen Lakes residents David and Sue Vosloh approached Darby about the possibility of donating land in the southwest Foley subdivision to the Foley Fire Department if a fully-manned fire station would be placed there. Darby brought the proposal to the Council, who authorized a survey of the land that sits on County Road 20 and Fairvway Drive.

In November, Darby returned to the Council, explaining that Vosloh had been out of town and with his return this fall, it was possible to move forward with the project. That move, he added, included survey revealed that the land in question was housed on two parcels of land and that only the southwest corner would be needed for the fire station.

In December, Darby reported to the Council that he brought the venture to the Foley Planning Commission and continued work on the project found that 0.33 acre was needed for the fire station, adding that the land was valued at $30,000.

In an interview Monday, Darby said that the architect just provided him with the facility’s second plans, and the construction could be ready to bid in August.

As for David Vosloh, it can’t be soon enough.

“I’m waiting on ADEM (Alabama Department of Environmental Management) to grant us a land-disturbance permit,” he said.

Vosloh, who has been involved with the project, said a fourth application for the permit was to be submitted this week. And each application has grown.

“It’s gone from seven pages to 167 pages,” he said.

Vosloh said the complication involved the site’s location.

“It draws into the Wolf Bay watershed,” he said, “You have to jump through hoops that nobody has expected.”

Upon completion, the Glen Lakes Fire Station is expected to staff nine full-time firefighters at a cost of $600,000 to the city. In addition, the venture could shave 10 minutes off the Foley Fire Department’s response time to the Glen Lakes area.

“We are really excited,” Vosloh said.