Walking the Walk: The City’s Ground Game for Better Sidewalks
The City of Homewood is committed to maintaining safe, walkable neighborhoods—and our sidewalks play a vital role in that effort. With an annual investment of $75k-$100k, the Public Works Department is working diligently to ensure sidewalks across the city are in great condition and accessible for all residents. And we’re not only fixing what’s already there—we’re also looking ahead. The city has a “Complete Streets” committee working on filling in the gaps where sidewalks are missing.
So, how many sidewalks do we have? Well, to better understand the scope of our entire walkway system, Public Works and the Engineering Department are developing a comprehensive map of all sidewalks within Homewood. This inventory will help us determine how many miles of them we’re responsible for and assess their overall condition.
Among the most common issues we see are cracking and sections lifted by tree roots, which can create significant trip hazards. And both can mess with the structure in ways that are hard to predict and even harder to fix. If you spot a broken or uneven sidewalk, let us know, and call Public Works at
205-332-6816.
To manage repairs efficiently, the city now uses a mapping system that includes images and a color-coded priority ranking. Segments that present the most serious safety concerns are addressed first. We are also focused on ADA compliance. More wheelchair ramps are being added throughout the city, and sidewalk projects follow PROWAG (Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines) to ensure accessibility for individuals of all abilities. Our ADA Transition Plan, established in 2017, continues to guide this work, and we are in the process of creating a new inventory to identify intersections that still lack ramps. Funding for ADA upgrades typically comes from capital funds for larger projects, while routine sidewalk maintenance is supported by the city’s general fund.
From routine maintenance to major upgrades, the City of Homewood is investing time, resources, and teamwork into making our sidewalks safer and more accessible. With new mapping tools, ADA compliance efforts, and dedicated crews tackling everything from cracks to tree root damage, every step is part of a larger plan to improve walkability across the city.
Next time you're out for a jog or pushing a stroller, give a little nod to the crews behind the scenes. They’re keeping Homewood walkable, one sidewalk at a time.
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