Julie Happy, 509.625.7773
Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 2:47 p.m.
The City is launching a project charter to make alleyways in the downtown more pedestrian friendly. Innovation Alleyway aims to enhance safety and functionality for pedestrians and businesses by enhancing alleyway streetscapes and infrastructure for select downtown alleyways. The alleys included in the charter offer the opportunity to add unique character and value to the downtown core with walkability, safety, place making, and green infrastructure.
“Activating these public spaces can make active streets, feed a vibrant arts culture, draw people to local businesses, and even improve basic infrastructure,” said Community Program Specialist Maren Murphy.
Historically, alleyways have provided limited functions and primarily serve as an access area that lacks visibility to the general public. Current uses today include back of business operations (i.e. refuse removal and movement of freight), uncontrolled vehicle access for those by-passing congested downtown streets, in often cases vandalism of building facades, graffiti and transient activity.
The project charter will focus on the following components:
The full project area includes Railroad Alley on the north side of the railroad viaduct from S. Cedar St. to S. Washington St. and Steam Plant Alley on the south side of the railroad viaduct from S. Cedar St. and S. Washington St. with the possibility of reaching S. Division St. via W. Pacific Ave.
We invite you to share your design ideas in a brief survey about innovating Railroad and Steam Plant Alleys. We believe your input is important to understanding how the alleys are currently used and to laying the foundation for successful activation and revitalization.
The community can join local urban designers, landscape architects, architects, and artists at a workshop designed to explore ways to enliven the downtown alleyways
WHEN: Friday & Saturday, March 29 & 30
WHERE: 4 Degrees Real Estate, 1209 West 1st Avenue, Lower Level Conference Room
TIME: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
