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Live Healthsmart Alabama Heersink School of Medicine

Bush Hills

In collaboration with Bush Hills Connections and other important partners, Live HealthSmart Alabama is working to meet the needs of the Bush Hills community.

Bush Hills was established in the 1920s and is a beautiful, historic neighborhood on the edge of Birmingham’s city center. It is home to Birmingham-Southern College and the Bush Hills STEAM Academy. Bush Hills is known for its winding boulevard that showcases some of the city's most regal and well-preserved homes. Bush Hills’ residents have worked hard to preserve its charm and tranquility throughout the years. Young families are flocking to the area for its stellar housing stock and accessibility.

  • Before & after of a repaired sidewalk surrounded by grass and a hedge.
  • Before & after of a repaired sidewalk with dirt on either side.
  • Before & after of a corner with a new disability ramp installed.
  • Before & after of a crosswalk, from broken pavement and spray paint to smooth pavement and road paint.
  • The backs of women wearing tshirts with "volunteer" written across the back.
  • Large group shot of Bush Hill volunteers in a parking lot.
  • A Black male volunteers pulls weeds.
  • Volunteers in red Bush Hills tshirts pick up trash.
  • Black male in a blue Bush Hills tshirt carries a chainsaw.
  • A wall next to a sidewalk with many flowers.
  • Houses with sloped, well-manicured lawns.
  • Sign in foreground reads "Help keep our neighborhood clean! Please do not litter!" In the back of the shot, trash is piled near a house.
  • A street shot featuring two large healthy trees.
  • An older black woman smiles at the camera as she sits at a table.
  • A young black man smiles while standing next to Live HealthSmart banner on the side of a brick building.

The neighborhood faced challenges in the 1970s when the population began to decline. Today, just over 4,200 residents call Bush Hills home. An issue within the community is a lack of resources: healthy foods, restaurants with nutritious options, and proper wellness education.

With the help of the community and partners—such as B.L. Harbert International, Alabama Power, the City of Birmingham, and the Mayor’s Office—Live HealthSmart Alabama is working to support the residents of Bush Hills in creating a healthier community.

 

Improvements

Built 3,300 New Linear Feet of Sidewalk

Installed 59 New ADA Ramps

Added 25 High-Visibility Crosswalks

Planted 25 Trees at Bush Hills Parklet

Added 4 New Stop Signs

Added 11 New Light Fixtures

Transformed Wilson Elementary School into the Bush Hills Connections Complex

Enhanced Complex Courtyard, Gym, Cafeteria, and Auditorium

Made Landscape Upgrades

Pressure-Washed Pavers at Alma Dennis Park

Organized a Neighborhood Cleanup

 

References