Bob Morgan

By Bob Morgan

Staff Writer

A series of workshops and historical presentations next week are designed to get Foley citizens involved in the historical aspects of “The Forward City.”

May 9-15 has been proclaimed “Preservation Week” and the theme is “Looking Back, Stepping Forward.” The week of events, sponsored by the Foley Historical Commission and Foley Public Library, is geared toward the educational and practical.

“We’re trying to get the whole community involved in the historical aspects of our city,” said Mayor John Koniar, who read a proclamation on May 3 declaring the city’s First Annual Preservation Week.

“There are a lot of resources people might not be aware of,” the mayor said.

Some of the practical applications of Preservation Week are property owners’ potential eligibility for Alabama property tax reduction and federal rehabilitation tax credits.

Mary Shell and Chloe Mercer of the Alabama Historical Commission will explain the importance of historic preservation and available federal rehabilitation tax credits on Tuesday, May 11, at 2 p.m. at Foley Public Library.

Later that same day a workshop is open to the public but aimed specifically at property owners and tenants of the Downtown Historic District. The goal of the 6 p.m. workshop at City Hall is to update residents on progress being made with the historic district. Other topics of discussion will concern how the Certificate of Appropriateness approval process works, property tax incentives, and design guidelines for the historic district.

Jeff Rouzie, the city’s Economic Development manager, will make a presentation on the important role historic districts play in downtown revitalizations and economic development.

The public is encouraged to attend the Foley Historical Commission meeting at 1 p.m. on May 11 in council chambers at City Hall.

On Thursday, May 13, at 2 p.m. Jeanette Bornholt of Foley Public Library will make a presentation on genealology and property research at the library. At 3 p.m. citizens have an opportunity to hear about the history of Foley from Tom Stoddard, author of the book “Foley Steps Forward.” Stoddard will be speaking at Foley Public Library as well.