“Some people ask, ‘When’s it going to happen?’” said James T. Martin, president/CEO of Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority (CIEDA), referring to the Foley entertainment development at the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Leadership Series luncheon on June 14. “Well, it’s been happening; it’s not ‘going to happen.’ It’s in the process of happening. You have to realize what you see is 520 acres. Not many things in the state of Alabama or in the southeast United States of this magnitude is occurring at any one given time.”
Years in the making
Although this project began a few years ago, Martin took the packed room of people on a tour through this project, from the beginning to the current stages, and beyond.
“We’re here today to tell you why we’re going to complete this project and how we’re going to enhance the landscape of south Alabama and change the landscape for Foley, and I believe, for the residents of Foley, Baldwin County, the Panhandle and Mississippi,” Martin said.
Foley Holdings LLC — the operating entity charged with overseeing the development — is anticipating the destination to attract visitors from a 400-mile drive radius who would choose to stay overnight or plan a day trip.

“This type of family-friendly destination we’re going to be bringing to Foley, I think helps the region as a whole,” Martin said.
The development has been given a name but it has not been released to the public. Foley Holdings is in the final stages of negotiation with the state of Alabama on development incentives. Upon completion of state negotiations, Foley Holdings intends to host a press event to officially release the new project name and future development plans.
The concept
This development concept will be what you can find in any part of south Alabama.
“We plant to recreate a city and we’re going to take that city through a transformation,” Martin said. “We’re going to take the best of it in the old times, then the current commerce of a healthy city — just as Foley is — and take what a city could be in the future, being more of a green, environmental city.”
Martin said the idea for the project will lean on Foley as far as the model for the development.
“We have a jewel seven miles to the south,” he said. “6.2 million people come to this area already.”
Martin complemented the infrastructure, noting the Beach Express from I-10 to the beach has enhanced and will continue to greatly enhance the area.
“What we believe is missing — or is not as good as it could be — is a destination retail, dining and entertainment facility in one area,” Martin said. “We want to provide a destination where a person can not only stop, but stay on site for multiple hours and have a tremendous selection of food venues and a different selection of entertainment venues that makes this area not just a beach area, but a destination resort for the city, region and state.”
The next step
The next step is the completion of the Foley Sports Tourism Complex (FSTC) championship field and then begin the event center for the sports complex. Martin said the construction of the first hotel will hopefully begin in the next 30 days. It will be a Marriott product. Then a second hotel, a resort convention hotel, will be next in line.
The city of Foley is continually working on the beautification of the city and also making it more pedestrian friendly. This development plans to continue that.
“We want it to be more friendly for walkers and bicycling,” Martin explained.
Many people have been wondering if this project will be like Disney World or Six Flags. The short answer: no.
“If you say Disney is the main course, we’re going to give them the heavy hors d’oevres,” Martin said. “It will give you the feel of Disney, but not to that extravagance. Can it grow into that? Yes, it can.”
One thing is for sure. Foley, and Baldwin County in general, will look a lot different 10 to 15 years from now.
Martin explained what is happening right now at the construction site, moving dirt around.
“There is a method to the madness,” Martin said, laughing. “In construction terms, we’re balancing the site, making pad-ready areas, instead of having to do it later on. We’re doing it all now.”
A family-friendly destination, this development will have something for every member of the family. Phase one of the destination will include a 14-acre lake with an island, a 150-room hotel attached to the city’s event center, 225,000 square feet of retail dining and entertainment space and a 10-acre theme park with 20 rides, including one major rollercoaster.
“The theme park will be like the city park that had the carnival come to town, only this one came to town and stayed,” Martin said. “There will be 20 rides in this package and we’re doing rides for all ages.
Rides are currently under construction and the anticipated arrival time for those will be at the end of this year and beginning of next year.
Martin made one thing clear in this presentation. This development will not be all asphalt. There will be lots of green, lush spaces.
Economic development
Of course, this development will bring in many jobs, but what many people don’t realize is that just the construction will bring in employment to this area.
“We anticipate hundreds of new jobs to be created, from entry to executive level, during construction through completion of this new development,” said Kristin Hellmich, public relations for Foley Holdings.
Two years ago, the city made a commitment to the ball fields at the FSTC and the state made a commitment to put Pride Drive in, a road that winds through FSTC and around the new development. These are well underway and soon to be completed.
“What we’re doing and talking about is adding what was already committed to: the multiple millions of dollars that the state and, more importantly, the city made to this project,” Martin said. “This is truly the concept of a public/private partnership.”
Martin complemented the city for its support.
“There’s no way we could come in here and do this by ourselves, and we shouldn’t do it by ourselves,” he said. “There’s great commitment out of the mayor, city council and planning commission.”
The Poarch Band tribal council knew the city of Foley was committed to this project, and knew the reputation the city had.
“They said, ‘If they’re (Foley) willing to put their money into it, we’re willing to put our money into it,’” Martin said.
Martin summed up the spirit of Foley and south Baldwin County in just a few words and what this development hopes to bring.
“Those people from Birmingham or the Midwest, they come down here for a reason,” Martin said. “They want to taste a little bit of what you taste every day — that slow, little relaxing community and beautiful beaches. We want to provide that for individuals coming in. We want this to be a place for families; a place for people to enjoy and come again. If you treat people right, do it at a quality level they can appreciate at a value they can appreciate, they’ll come again and bring a friend.”
CIEDA is the economic development arm of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Martin’s task is to diversify the tribe’s portfolio through corporate operations and direct and indirect investments.