Sidewalk details under consideration for Hollywood pedestrian bridge

Plans for a pedestrian bridge on Hollywood Boulevard over U.S. 280 are moving forward.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, the Homewood City Council held a Public Works meeting to review plans for a sidewalk leading up to the proposed bridge. The plans were presented by Bryan Gurney of Gresham, Smith and Partners.

The sidewalk would run in front of Union Hill Cemetery from where it currently ends at Malaga Avenue and extend to the bridge. It would start at a width of 5 feet and then reduce to 3 feet where there is less space in front of an existing cemetery fence. All of the property under consideration is in the right-of-way.

The Council discussed acquiring a temporary easement to cross the driveway into the cemetery, which has a current incline of 15 percent. The grade might need to be reduced depending on survey results, Gurney said.

Because all property under consideration is located in the City of Birmingham, the council requested its attorneys research if the City of Homewood is permitted to release funds to Birmingham to build the sidewalk.

Council member Fred Hawkins said he believes Birmingham would cooperate if Homewood pays for construction.

Birmingham Track Club President Jennifer Andress told the council that the club would be happy to host a fundraiser for the project or help create public awareness about it.

Homewood plans to continue to work with the City of Mountain Brook and Alabama Department of Transportation on the bridge. Funding for the bridge has been secured and included in the city's fiscal year 2014 budget.