“I never thought I’d still be working at 92”: Senior mows lawns after mayor’s neglect
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In the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, a story is unfolding that’s as American as apple pie—one of grit, heartbreak, and a community left in the lurch.
Meet Jimmy Smith, a 92-year-old with more backbone than most city councils, who’s been forced to shoulder the burden of his neighborhood’s upkeep after a city project fizzled out and left his community in the weeds—literally.
A Promise Broken, a Community Forgotten
Let’s rewind to 2006. The city, under then-Mayor Bernard Kincaid, launched the 35th Street North Extension Street Improvement Project.
The plan? Buy up properties, revitalize the area, and bring new life to a historic Black neighborhood. Jimmy’s mother, Nancy Smith, was among those who sold their homes to the city—her beloved house went for $42,000.
But the ink was barely dry on the contract when tragedy struck: Nancy passed away just five days later, a loss Jimmy attributes to heartbreak over leaving her home.
“She died of a broken heart,” Jimmy recalls, his voice heavy with memory. “What the city said they were going to do has not been done, and my question is why? They took what was rightfully ours.”
Nearly two decades later, the grand plans have evaporated. The city-owned properties, including Nancy’s old home, sit derelict and overgrown.
The only thing standing between the neighborhood and total neglect? Jimmy Smith, who, at 92, still fires up his lawnmower to keep the grass at bay—not just at his mother’s house, but at several other abandoned lots nearby.
A One-Man Army Against Urban Decay
Jimmy’s not just mowing lawns—he’s fighting for the soul of his community. “You’re looking at the maintainer. Not just this, but that and that and that, that on the other side,” he says, gesturing to the patchwork of neglected properties.
Across the street, the former Carver High School—once a beacon for Black students during segregation—now stands as a silent witness to the city’s broken promises.
“That’s the school where the children made a difference, and Lord, look at it now,” Jimmy laments. “My God, man, they could do something with that. That hurts, not as much as my mom’s house, but close to it.”
He remembers a time when the neighborhood bustled with life—houses, filling stations, cleaners. “This was a proud community,” he says. “I haven’t completely forgotten. I know God says forgive, but I ain’t Jesus, I ain’t never going to forget that.’
A Glimmer of Hope?
After years of silence, the city is finally making noises about revisiting the project.
A spokesperson for current Mayor Randall Woodfin says they’re “reviewing this area and see the need for access improvements and other changes to benefit the community.” They’ve promised to consult with Jimmy and his neighbors before making any decisions.
“His advocacy has been impactful,” the spokesperson admits. “We’ll be following up with him and others in the community soon to discuss possible plans for the area.”
Jimmy, ever the optimist, still holds out hope. “Some years to come, our babies are going to have a swimming pool, and our babies are going to have safe streets,” he says. “We’re going to have sidewalks. Just watch and see.”
Have you seen similar stories in your own town? Do you know a Jimmy Smith—someone who’s kept the flame alive when everyone else moved on? Or maybe you’ve got ideas for how cities can do better by their seniors and their historic neighborhoods. Share your thoughts, stories, and solutions in the comments below!
Meet Jimmy Smith, a 92-year-old with more backbone than most city councils, who’s been forced to shoulder the burden of his neighborhood’s upkeep after a city project fizzled out and left his community in the weeds—literally.
A Promise Broken, a Community Forgotten
Let’s rewind to 2006. The city, under then-Mayor Bernard Kincaid, launched the 35th Street North Extension Street Improvement Project.
The plan? Buy up properties, revitalize the area, and bring new life to a historic Black neighborhood. Jimmy’s mother, Nancy Smith, was among those who sold their homes to the city—her beloved house went for $42,000.
But the ink was barely dry on the contract when tragedy struck: Nancy passed away just five days later, a loss Jimmy attributes to heartbreak over leaving her home.
“She died of a broken heart,” Jimmy recalls, his voice heavy with memory. “What the city said they were going to do has not been done, and my question is why? They took what was rightfully ours.”
A 92-year-old man in Birmingham, Alabama, has been forced to mow the lawns of his late mother’s home and neighboring properties after the city abandoned a street improvement project nearly 20 years ago. Image source: Remi Muller / Unsplash.
Nearly two decades later, the grand plans have evaporated. The city-owned properties, including Nancy’s old home, sit derelict and overgrown.
The only thing standing between the neighborhood and total neglect? Jimmy Smith, who, at 92, still fires up his lawnmower to keep the grass at bay—not just at his mother’s house, but at several other abandoned lots nearby.
A One-Man Army Against Urban Decay
Jimmy’s not just mowing lawns—he’s fighting for the soul of his community. “You’re looking at the maintainer. Not just this, but that and that and that, that on the other side,” he says, gesturing to the patchwork of neglected properties.
Across the street, the former Carver High School—once a beacon for Black students during segregation—now stands as a silent witness to the city’s broken promises.
“That’s the school where the children made a difference, and Lord, look at it now,” Jimmy laments. “My God, man, they could do something with that. That hurts, not as much as my mom’s house, but close to it.”
He remembers a time when the neighborhood bustled with life—houses, filling stations, cleaners. “This was a proud community,” he says. “I haven’t completely forgotten. I know God says forgive, but I ain’t Jesus, I ain’t never going to forget that.’
A Glimmer of Hope?
After years of silence, the city is finally making noises about revisiting the project.
A spokesperson for current Mayor Randall Woodfin says they’re “reviewing this area and see the need for access improvements and other changes to benefit the community.” They’ve promised to consult with Jimmy and his neighbors before making any decisions.
“His advocacy has been impactful,” the spokesperson admits. “We’ll be following up with him and others in the community soon to discuss possible plans for the area.”
Jimmy, ever the optimist, still holds out hope. “Some years to come, our babies are going to have a swimming pool, and our babies are going to have safe streets,” he says. “We’re going to have sidewalks. Just watch and see.”
Have you seen similar stories in your own town? Do you know a Jimmy Smith—someone who’s kept the flame alive when everyone else moved on? Or maybe you’ve got ideas for how cities can do better by their seniors and their historic neighborhoods. Share your thoughts, stories, and solutions in the comments below!
