Foley, Ala. - (OBA) - The former Foley Bakery building, a historic structure in Foley dating back to 1925, is finally slated for renovations after being closed for over 15 years. The nearly century-old building will undergo significant improvements with the hope of reopening in the near future.

On March 20, the Foley City Council approved a $19,500 facade grant to contribute to the costs of replacing windows, doors, and other enhancements to the building. The estimated cost for these replacements is $200,998.

Mark Wright, a representative of 4Wright Investments and one of the building's owners, announced that work is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. He mentioned that the windows have already been ordered, with work expected to start around six weeks from now.

The overall cost of the renovations is estimated at $443,296. According to the grant application, the renovation process is set to commence on April 20 and be completed by October 20.

The building was initially constructed in 1925 and served as a bakery for many years. Its most recent use was as the Cactus Cafe, a restaurant that closed its doors in 2007. Due to deterioration, city officials deemed the building unfit for use without extensive renovations.

The city purchased the building in 2012 to preserve the historic structure, which is one of the oldest in Foley and contributes to the Foley National Register Historic District. It was later sold to Katapult Properties and 4Wright Investments.

Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich expressed excitement about the renovation project, stating that the building has long been a topic of interest for residents.