About a year ago, the City of Opelika began working on a long-term ADA self-evaluation/transition plan. We set out to become the safest, most business and family friendly city in America by 2023. As a part of this plan, all city sidewalks, buildings, programs and services must become ADA compliant. The city will begin this work in the next few weeks.
This work will continue over the next few months. There will be some road closures in the process. We appreciate your patience while we make ADA improvements around the city. For more information, contact Kevin Rice, City of Opelika ADA Compliance Officer, at 334-705-2083 or [email protected]
UPDATES: (August 11, 2020)
The City of Opelika is beginning its second phase of implementing American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance work on sidewalks and intersections in the Northside area this week. Crews will start with improvements at 3rd Avenue and 12th Street and then will work on 3rd Avenue and 11th Street and 3rd Avenue and 10th Street. This project should take approximately three weeks.
The city has also started its second phase of tree removals for safety improvements. The city asks that citizens be aware of road signs and drive safely, as crews will be in several areas of the city.
(March 27, 2020)
Contractors will be finished with the 3rd Avenue sidewalk between 8th and 9th Street by Friday. Intersection work at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and North 5th Street will begin Monday, weather permitting.
(March 23, 2020)
Crews will begin ADA compliance work on the 3rd Avenue sidewalk between 8th and 9th Street. No road closures are need. Be aware and careful around crews working.
(March 13, 2020)
Crosswalk work at the intersection of 8th Street and Avenue B will temporarily close 8th Street during the week of March 16, 2020. Please drive carefully around contract workers and avoid the area as much as possible.
(March 6, 2020)
Sidewalk work at the intersection of 8th Street and Avenue B will begin Monday, March 9. Traffic will be open on Avenue B, but will be closed on 8th Street for the week. We will keep you updated throughout the week if anything changes.
(January 28, 2020):
Crews will begin working on ADA Compliance work at the intersection of South 8th Street and Avenue B on January 28, 2020. This week, there will be minimal impact on traffic and no road closures.
Beginning next week, we will have temporary road closures to work on crosswalks at the intersection. As usual, we encourage citizens to drive safely and watch for workers.
(December 18, 2019):
Intersection of 10th and Avenue B improvements will run through the holidays due to weather and holiday work schedule. We will keep you updated on work and completion.
(December 6, 2019):
Crews are finishing parking lot enhancements at Bandy Park.
(November 20, 2019):
The City of Opelika has made big strides in making our city ADA compliant and safer for all to enjoy.
All planned major tree removals in the Northside Historic District have been removed at this time. Crews have begun the stump grinding process. There are still some trees in the area that need to be pruned. During the pruning process, we may have a handful of temporary street closures to assure public safety.
On Thursday, November 21, a concrete crew will be finishing up and landscaping 10th Street and Avenue C. After completion, they will move on to improving the parking pad and sidewalks at Ray Ward Park. This work is expected to last until Wednesday, November 27.
The week after Thanksgiving, a crew will begin parking lot enhancements to Bandy Park.
We appreciate your patience while we make ADA improvements around the City of Opelika.
Updates will be added to our Sidewalk/Tree Project Updates on the city website: https://www.opelika-al.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=171
(November 6, 2019):
Weather permitting, on Friday a crew will begin ADA sidewalk and ramp improvements at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and North 8th Street.
(October 25, 2019):
A crew will be finishing sidewalk and intersection improvements at the intersection of South 10th Street and Avenue C. Traffic will be rerouted around the area of work.
An additional crew will begin working on tree pruning and removal along North 10th Street. Beginning work at 7:30 a.m., they will shut down one to two blocks at a time and reroute traffic around the area of work for public safety.
(October 22, 2019):
A crew will be working on the intersection of Tolbert Boulevard, Avenue E and S. 7th Street for the remainder of the week. Another crew will be working on the intersection of 10th Street and Avenue C for the remainder of the week.
(October 11, 2019):
Currently, one crew is working on the sidewalks and intersection of South 7th Street and Avenue D. Weather permitting, this project will be completed by Monday, October 14. The crew will then begin working on the sidewalks and intersection of South 7th Street and Avenue E. This project is expected to be completed on Friday, October 18.
A second crew will continue to work on the sidewalks and intersection of Tolbert and Avenue E through the end of next week.
Tree pruning and tree removal work will start next week on North 3rd Avenue and North 4th Avenue.
(October 2, 2019):
Crews will begin sidewalk improvements at Geneva Street and Short Ave. today. A second crew will begin intersection and sidewalk improvements at South 8th Street and Tolbert Blvd/Ave E tomorrow and throughout the week of October 7-11. Please plan accordingly.
(September 26, 2019):
Due to tree removal for safety improvements, Municipal Park will be temporarily closed from September 30, 2019 to October 4, 2019. Please avoid the park until Saturday, October 5, 2019. In advance, thank you for your patience as we make these improvements to keep our citizens safe.
(September 23, 2019):
2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue: Crews will begin pruning and tree removal in the historic district this week. Starting Tuesday, September 24, 2019, crews will be working on 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue. For the public’s safety, there will be lane closures throughout the process. Please plan your daily commute accordingly.
(September 18, 2019):
S. 7th Street & Avenue C: Crews begin sidewalk and intersection improvements today, September 18, 2019.
Avenue D & Geneva Street: Crews begin sidewalk and intersection improvements today, September 18, 2019.
(August 16, 2019):
9th & Ave B: The work at the intersection of South 9th Street and Ave B is complete. These roads are now open to traffic.
9th Street: Beginning August 19, crews will be working on sidewalks on South 9th Street between Ave B and Ave C. Traffic will not be affected.
8th & Ave D: Beginning the week of August 19, crews will be working on sidewalks.
7th & Ave C: Beginning the week of August 26, crews will begin sidewalk and intersection improvements at South 7th Street and Ave C. Traffic will be limited.
(August 9, 2019):
Earlier this week the city announced road closures due to crosswalk work at the intersection of South 9th Street and Avenue B. Due to weather delays, the contractor was not able to place the sealant on the crosswalk section of South 9th Street and Avenue B on Thursday. As a result, it will require us to keep South 9th Street closed until Saturday morning. This will also result in postponing our road closure of Avenue B until Monday morning. Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening both roads will be open to oncoming traffic.
(August 5, 2019):
Due to the replacement of crosswalks, we will experience road closures the following dates, weather permitting.
Starting 6 a.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2019 to Thursday, August 8, 2019, South 9th Street from Avenue C to Almost Anything will be closed to oncoming traffic.
In addition, crews will shift work to Avenue B from the Lee County EMA building to the front of First Baptist Church starting 6 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2019 to Tuesday, August 14, 2019. South 9th Street will be open once this work begins.
(JULY 18, 2019):
Crews began work on Avenue C and Geneva Street today. At this time, there are no road closures. We will let you know if that changes.
About a year ago, the City of Opelika began working on a long-term ADA self-evaluation/transition plan. We set out to become the safest, most business and family friendly city in America by 2023. As a part of this plan, all city sidewalks, buildings, programs and services must become ADA compliant.
This work will continue over the next few months. There will be some road closures in the process. We appreciate your patience while we make ADA improvements around the city. For more information, contact Kevin Rice, City of Opelika ADA Compliance Officer, at 334-705-2083 or [email protected]
(JULY 16, 2010):
Crews will begin implementing American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance work on sidewalks and intersections in the downtown area today, July 19,2019. We will start with improvements at South 9th Street and Avenue B. This project should take approximately three weeks. Currently, there is no road closures.
About a year ago, the City of Opelika began working on a long-term ADA self-evaluation/transition plan. We set out to become the safest, most business and family friendly city in America by 2023. As a part of this plan, all city sidewalks, buildings, programs and services must become ADA compliant.
This work will continue over the next few months. There will be some road closures in the process. We appreciate your patience while we make ADA improvements around the city. For more information, contact Kevin Rice, City of Opelika ADA Compliance Officer, at 334-705-2083 or [email protected]
(JUNE 12, 2019):
We held two public forums to discuss this project on June 11, 2019. The contract for tree removal will go before city council on June 18. Once the bid is awarded, we will post the name of the tree removal company so that citizens are aware of who will be doing the work in the Northside area. Prior to the work starting, the city’s ADA Compliance Officer and the Arborist will be marking trees that will be removed or pruned. They will be marked with two different colors. The contractor and/or someone from the City of Opelika will be contacting homeowners within 72 hours of work starting around their property. As trees are removed, stumps will be ground and the area will be cleaned. Any sod/grass that is disturbed will be replaced with same or similar species of sod. Contact Kevin Rice, Opelika ADA Compliance Officer, at 334-705-2083 or [email protected] Or you can contact George Barker with Natural Resource Consulting at [email protected] if you would like to discuss a specific tree that is slated to be removed or pruned. Below you will find a list of trees that are to be removed and trees that are to be pruned.
Large Tree Pruning - Northside
Small Tree Pruning - Northside
About George Barker - Natural Resource Consulting
George understands the business of natural resources. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources and Conservation and a Master’s in Business Administration. He annually participates in continuing education in the fields of Forestry and Arboriculture, keeping abreast of current trends and concerns.
Professional Licenses
- Registered Forester – Alabama
- Certified Forester SAF (Society of American Foresters)
- Certified Arborist ISA (International Society of Arboriculture)
- Tree Risk Assessor Qualified (ISA)