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Birmingham Commission directs final design for Wimbledon Drive Phase 2 despite resident requests for alternatives
Summary
The commission authorized final engineering for Wimbledon Drive Phase 2 to include underground water/sewer replacements and a 26-foot cape-seal roadway to match Phase 1. Residents asked for curb/curve alternatives and more cost detail; commissioners split but the motion passed to continue design work so the project can be bid for 2026.
The Birmingham City Commission directed engineering staff to proceed with final design for Wimbledon Drive Phase 2 — the east side stretch between Oxford and North Adams — including replacement of aging utilities and a 26-foot cape-seal street surface consistent with Phase 1.
Planning and engineering staff told the commission the project’s water main was installed around 1925 and is currently a 6-inch pipe; the proposal is to install a 12-inch main to connect to adjacent newer mains and improve service. Staff also recommended replacing the combined sewer in the project area (8–12-inch ranges reported) and installing separated storm systems where feasible to improve drainage. If design approval is given tonight, staff said they expect to advertise bids in January–February 2026 and begin construction in 2026 with an anticipated duration of 3–4 months, weather-dependent.
Residents repeatedly urged the commission to require alternative designs to be studied before locking in the cape-seal option. Speakers asked for: a second estimate showing capeseal-plus-curb or capeseal-with-curves; detailed cost comparisons (including the city’s projected special-assessment splits); safety features such as bump-outs, signage or striping; and clarification that underground infrastructure costs are city-borne while driveway laterals remain homeowners’ responsibility. Resident speakers noted recent state road-funding changes that increase city road funds and asked whether that new revenue could reduce homeowner assessments.
Commissioners debated process: some argued the multimodal transportation advisory board should complete its review and that residents deserve more time; others said Phase 1 established precedent, the board is advisory only, and delaying final design by months would push the project out of the 2026 construction season. Engineering staff said design consultants and bidding schedules require commission direction now if the work is to be bid in winter 2026.
The commission voted to direct engineering to proceed with final design of Wimbledon Drive Phase 2 (water and sewer upgrades and cape-seal surface at 26 feet). The motion passed on roll-call (four in favor, three opposed). Staff committed to meet with residents who request specific design clarifications and to consider traffic-mitigation elements during the design review.
Next steps: engineering will prepare final design documents, meet with residents on specifics of frontage and crossings, and return with special-assessment information and final construction-cost estimates as part of the next steps in the capital project process.
