Levitate Legal & Consulting, LLC served as the lead grant writers for the City of Birmingham’s successful application to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program—a national initiative aimed at repairing the legacy of transportation infrastructure that has divided historically underserved communities.
The City of Birmingham, in partnership with the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA), was awarded $800,000 in planning grant funds—one of only 45 awards out of more than 430 applicants nationwide.
Laying the Foundation for a More Connected City
This planning grant will support the development of a Transportation Capital Investment Plan (TCIP) that reflects the priorities of the City’s ImagineBham planning framework and other regional assessments. The TCIP will guide data-driven decisions to reconnect neighborhoods severed by interstates, railroads, and high-traffic corridors.
Rather than expanding car-centric infrastructure, the TCIP will prioritize transit, pedestrian, and bicycle accessibility—transforming existing corridors into equitable, multimodal connections between Birmingham’s historic urban villages and commercial districts.
“We were proud to welcome U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Birmingham in 2022 to announce this transformative program,” said Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “This grant allows us to advance a vision for transit and active transportation that reconnects residents to jobs, education, and opportunity.”
Addressing Mobility and Economic Equity
Today, more than 75% of Birmingham’s original urban villages are disrupted by major transportation infrastructure. This legacy has resulted in significant challenges for residents—particularly those without access to a personal vehicle. In fact, over 80% of Birmingham metro area workers drive alone, and those who rely on public transit or walking face limited mobility options.
According to the Brookings Institution, access to a car increases the number of reachable jobs within 30 minutes by a factor of 100—a sobering statistic that reinforces the connection between transportation access and economic mobility.
The TCIP aims to reverse this trend by identifying projects that will:
- Enhance access to jobs, schools, healthcare, and essential services
- Advance transit-oriented development opportunities
- Improve quality of life and public health outcomes
- Support environmental and economic sustainability
A Collaborative Path Forward
The City of Birmingham and BJCTA have each pledged $100,000 in local matching funds to support this planning initiative. Together, the agencies are designing a more resilient, inclusive, and connected future for Birmingham residents.
“We want to create a truly multimodal city,” said James Fowler, Director of Transportation for the City of Birmingham.
“This grant is a critical step in building a roadmap for how people can safely and efficiently walk, bike, or take public transit to reach their destinations.”
“This is another major win for transit in Birmingham,” added Charlotte Shaw, Executive Director of BJCTA.
“It reflects the strength of our partnership with the City and the federal government’s commitment to reinvesting in cities through equitable, community-led planning.”
Strategic Grant Writing That Drives Impact
Levitate Legal is proud to have partnered with the City and BJCTA to develop a winning application that centers community connectivity, mobility equity, and long-term sustainability. This award underscores the power of aligning fund development strategy with policy innovation and inclusive planning—an approach Levitate brings to every client engagement.
Let’s reconnect communities—together.
