Downtown alleyway to be pedestrian space in coming weeks
ALPENA, Mich. — In just a few weeks, the alleyway connecting 2nd and 3rd Avenue in Downtown Alpena will be closed off to vehicles.
Alpena’s Downtown Development Authority plans to transform the alley into a pedestrian-centered space that businesses can get creative with.
“It will be closed for car traffic,” said Anne Gentry, the DDA’s Executive Director. “There will be bollards and concrete movers. Businesses will be able to put a little bit of stuff into it if they want.”
City Council recently approved the project for this summer, and will shut down once the weather gets colder. It’s just a trial run; after this year, officials will reevaluate and decide if they want to continue with the pedestrian alley for future summers.
“That’s the beauty of it being a pilot project,” Gentry said. “To really see how it goes this summer, and then next year if we want to close it again we might have a better idea of how it flows.”
The idea has been in conversation for a while. Local businesses in the area have expressed their support for a pedestrian space, and in the future it could be home to a lot more than foot traffic.
“We can put our street performers in that area,” Gentry said. “That’s kind of the vision long term- is to maybe beautify it with some art, flower planters, seeding, twinkle lights- just seeing this year how it goes over and if it’s worthwhile to make that type of investment.”
The alley must allow for 14 feet of clearance regardless of what businesses use it for, just in case emergency vehicles need to fit. The DDA plans to have the space set up for pedestrians before the 4th of July. That’s around the same time they expect the social district to be up and running, all while the fresh waves project is going on. Safe to say- it’s going to be a busy summer in Downtown Alpena.
