White-Spunner Construction is proud to announce the groundbreaking of the new Foley Public Library and Community Center, a transformative project in partnership with the City of Foley and Williams Blackstock Architects. The ceremony, held on January 30 at the future site on E. Orange Avenue, marks the beginning of construction on a state-of-the-art facility designed to enrich the community for generations to come.

Spanning approximately 40,000 square feet—nearly double the size of the existing library—the two-story building will serve as both a library and community hub. It will feature an expanded children’s area, a dedicated teen space, computer labs, study rooms and a cutting-edge STEAM-STEM lab. Additionally, the facility will include areas for special-needs programs and a multipurpose room accommodating up to 277 people, providing a versatile venue for meetings, events and public gatherings.

The Foley City Council awarded the construction contract to White-Spunner Construction with a bid of $17.99 million—well under the initial $22 million budget projection. As a result, the City of Foley and library staff are able reinvest savings into essential enhancements, including furnishings, audiovisual equipment and other critical resources, creating a state-of-the-art facility for the community.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich commended the efforts of the design team, contractor, city staff and library partners, stating, “We established a budget for this project three years ago. (…) Our library was bid – and we had lots of bidders – and we came in under budget, which is impressive in this day and time. I appreciate the effort that all have done to make this project a success.”

With completion expected in spring 2026, the project represents a major milestone in Foley’s commitment to providing accessible, innovative spaces that support learning, engagement and community development.