31 Tunnel - A Little History
The U.S. Highway 31 pedestrian tunnel is temporarily closed while it undergoes a major renovation. While crews are at work over the next few months, we thought it would be a good time to look back at the history of Homewood's longest-serving pedestrian connection. For more than 70 years, the tunnel has provided generations of Homewood families with a safe passage beneath a busy roadway.
The tunnel was constructed in 1954 after widening of U.S. Highway 31, then known as Montgomery Highway. At the time, many students who attended Shades Cahaba Elementary lived on the west side of 31. Rather than requiring hundreds of children to cross a rapidly expanding highway at street level, community leaders pushed for a pedestrian underpass. To help make room for the tunnel's west entrance, Hill Food Store, the predecessor to today's Piggly Wiggly, provided a portion of its parking lot.
The tunnel has even had a moment on the big screen. In 1988, it was used as a filming location for The Verne Miller Story, where it doubled as one of Chicago's underground tunnels. Want to see it for yourself? Check out the film
HERE and skip ahead to
1:11:40 to catch the tunnel's appearance. As for the rest of the movie... we'll just say, fast-forwarding isn't a bad idea.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, students at Shades Cahaba Elementary came together to transform the tunnel walls into a colorful mural on the east entrance. Featuring The Shades Cahaba Way, local landmarks, and scenes inspired by nature, the project gave students a meaningful way to leave their mark on the school and the community during an unforgettable time.
Today, the tunnel is receiving a major renovation, changes will include new lighting, handrails, brick pavers, and other enhancements designed to create a safe, bright, welcoming area. In addition to what the City is doing, the Piggly Wiggly will be providing new landscaping right above the wall. You can view renderings of what that looks like HERE. The new Pig is expected to open by the end of 2026.
The purpose of all of this remains exactly the same as it was in 1954, provide a safe path for the people of Homewood!
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Pre-Council Meeting - July 13, 2026
The Board of Zoning Adjustments approved a variance for a family to build a therapeutic pool on Gran Ave. The variance allows a 105-square-foot increase in impervious surfacing. The applicant demonstrated the project would remain within the city's maximum allowable impervious surface coverage, at approximately 44.6%, while providing enough space for aquatic therapy for their son with cerebral palsy. The board denied a requested variance for a proposed condominium development on Courtney Drive after nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, alley access, and neighborhood impacts, while approving two separate requests for second story home additions on Ardsley Place and Peerless Avenue. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3SCceD3
Beginning Monday, July 6, the U.S. 31 pedestrian tunnel near Piggly Wiggly will be closed on both ends as construction begins on a major renovation project. Construction is expected to take a few months to work on new landscaping, lighting, and other upgrades designed to create a safer and more welcoming connection for everyone walking through the area.
Microtransit is now available for Homewood residents, adding an on-demand option to move around our city from the Birmingham Transit Authority (BJCTA). It works just like ride sharing whereby riders will be able to request a trip through an app and get picked up nearby, with routes designed in real time to keep trips efficient and wait times low. The service provides point-to-point transportation anywhere within the city limits for just $1.50 per trip. For more details, GO HERE. How this pilot program is being funded? The initial phase, running from July 2026 through September 2027, is fully funded through the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham , at about $792,000. This allows the city to launch the service without immediate long-term cost commitments. After that, projected annual costs are expected to be around $610,000 to $630,000, depending on how the service is adjusted according to our needs. This pilot approach gives Homewood time to see how people actually use the system, where demand is strongest, and how the service can be refined. It also keeps flexibility built in, with the ability to adjust hours, coverage, and fleet size based on real data. You can VIEW THE PRESENTATION presented to the Council on April 13, 2026.
It's not just the temperatures rising this summer, online buying and selling is hot too. Which means more people are meeting strangers to complete transactions. If that's you, consider meeting at a safe location. As a reminder, the Homewood Police Department offers an official 'Community Meetup Spot' in the parking lot in their parking lot. The designated exchange area is located just to the left as you enter the parking lot and is marked by two parking spaces with green lines. It is a well lit area with security cameras, and of course, police officers all around you. This is an easy way to protect yourself and the other person.
Pre-Council Meeting - June 22, 2026
The City of Homewood is committed to responsible planning and ensuring that future growth aligns with the long-term interests of the community. In connection with the proposed temporary moratorium on data center development, the City wishes to provide the following information to residents, businesses, and stakeholders. No permanent zoning regulations are being adopted through this ordinance. Currently, the City of Homewood has no pending applications for the development of a data center. The proposed ordinance is a temporary measure intended to provide the City with adequate time to evaluate and prepare for the potential impacts of this emerging land use and to ensure that future development is consistent with the public health, safety, and welfare of the community. The City is currently engaged in a comprehensive review of its Comprehensive Plan and recognizes the importance of establishing thoughtful policies and regulations that address evolving development trends. During the moratorium period, the City intends to study and develop standards and regulations specifically applicable to data center facilities. The purpose of this review is to determine whether zoning, operational, buffering, infrastructure, or other development standards should be adopted before such facilities are considered within the City. The City's review will focus on several key considerations, including: • Infrastructure planning and long-term capacity; • Utility demands and potential impacts on public services; • Compatibility with existing and future land uses; • Preservation of the character and quality of life within the community; and The temporary moratorium will provide the opportunity for careful evaluation and informed decision-making. During this period, City staff and the Planning Commission will study potential regulations applicable to data center facilities and will present any proposed zoning or development standards through the City's normal public review process. Residents, property owners, businesses, and other stakeholders will have opportunities to review proposed regulations, provide comments, and participate in public meetings before any permanent zoning regulations are considered for adoption by the City Council. The City intends to work collaboratively with the Planning Commission and to encourage public engagement throughout this process to ensure that any future regulations reflect the needs and priorities of the Homewood community. This temporary action is a proactive planning measure and should not be interpreted as opposition to economic development or technological investment. Rather, it reflects the City's commitment to responsible growth, sound infrastructure planning, and the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of its residents.
Star Spangled Homewood is a community fundraiser and patriotic decorating contest celebrating Homewood's Centennial and America's 250th anniversary. At the heart of this effort are three organizations that serve our community throughout the year. With a $25 donation, you can support the Homewood Police Foundation , the Homewood Fire Foundation , and the Homewood Patriot Band . Every dollar goes directly to the organization you select. In return, you will receive a commemorative Star Spangled Homewood yard sign. A second way to participate is through a decorating contest. Between now and June 26, residents, businesses, and even entire streets can put up patriotic displays in their areas. Judging will take place July 1 through July 3 with categories that include Best Home, Best Business, Best Street, and Best HWD100 Spirit, with special Homewood themed prizes awarded to the winners. To donate, register, or learn more, visit starspangledhwd.com . Questions? Connect with Ward 3 Councilor Chris Lane: chrislaneward3@gmail.com .
NEXT MEETING INFO: Beginning Wednesday, July 22, community meetings at the Homewood Public Library will focus on topics like growth, parks, transportation, housing, arts and culture, and economic development. The day will wrap up with a community presentation at 6:00 p.m. in the Homewood City Hall Council Chambers. On Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24, an Open Studio at the Homewood Public Library will give residents the chance to stop by, review ideas, ask questions, and share feedback. Additional topic specific meetings will also take place throughout both days.
Two popular topics were discussed during the June 8 Pre-Council meeting. These were Alabama's new consumable hemp product licensing law and the possibility of a temporary moratorium related to data centers. It is important to note that these were discussion items only. No decisions were made, and no policies were adopted on either topic. To move these forward, they would return through the public Pre-Council and Council meeting process for additional discussion and consideration before any action is taken. Data Center Moratorium The data center discussion focused on whether Homewood should consider a moratorium on data center applications while zoning regulations are reviewed. A moratorium would pause the acceptance and review of any new data center applications. There have been questions about a proposed data center project near Lakeshore Parkway. As clarification, that project is located within the City of Birmingham and is subject to Birmingham's approval process, not Homewood's. Hemp Licenses Homewood's City attorneys provided information about Alabama's recently enacted licensing system for consumable hemp products. Under state law, cities play a role in the license application process, but the ABC Board makes the final decision on whether to approve a license and enforces the laws on what can be sold under the license. There are three license categories to be considered, shown below. Municipalities can allow any number of them, all of them, or none of them: 1. Licenses for grocery stores to sell certain beverages. 2. Licenses for pharmacies to sell certain pharmacy-related products. 3. Specialty retailer licenses, which are only for package stores and standalone hemp retailers.