FOLEY, Ala. — The prospect of a public dog park in the Forward City is one step closer to reality.

During its regular meeting Monday, the Foley City Council voted to accept the $159,536.50 bid for grading and paving of Foley Dog Park from R&S Paving & Grading Inc.

According to municipal records, that amount will enable R&S to conduct such work as excavation, soil removal and creation of sidewalks and parking spaces at the designated site.

“This is going to be maximizing parking in downtown Foley,” Council President Wayne Trawick said.

In April the city of held a public-involvement meeting to gather input on the pending project, with several canine enthusiast weighing in. Architect Chad Watkins led the meeting, explaining that the facility is to be housed on about two acres next to the municipal employee clinic. It will be divided in half, with parking spaces taking up one acre and the dog park located on the other. Discussions included a shallow water feature, separate areas for dogs with varied temperaments and a possible bronze sculpture dedicated to the first Foley Police Department K-9 officer.

City leaders have approximately $290,000 in the capital budget earmarked for both the park and parking. In June, the Council voted to go to bid on the grading and paving, requesting various options for the project, in case the they decided to keep some of the work in-house.

Site work is expected to begin in September.