The Alley

Where will your project take place?

Grandville

Briefly Describe Your Project Idea:

We are hiring a local group of artists to create and paint a mural on one wall of an underutilized alleyway. By adding lights and bistro tables/chairs to the design, we will create a space that invites residents and staff of the area office buildings to enjoy a coffee or doughnut from local shops.

Why does your community need this project?

Our DDA has done a phenomenal job over the past few years undertaking large structural projects like the streetscape along Chicago Dr. and the addition of a farmers’ market pavilion with beautiful green space. But in looking at our downtown, we are lacking in sense of space elements – bright pops of color, inviting gathering spaces and nooks that just invite people to sit and share a chat with a friend or neighbor. There are a few places we have identified in our town that could benefit from a project of this nature. Being awarded this grant would enable us to take the first step in beatifying one of the focus areas.

What do you hope to achieve through this project?

We hope to take a dreary and underwhelming space and transform it into a beautiful surprise on the side of our downtown. Our goal is to create a gathering space where community will naturally be built and where the littles who attend preschool across the parking lot will feel wonder as they walk through The Alley to the bakery for an after school treat. We are also currently revising our city food truck ordinance with plans to add a food truck pad on the lot in front of this alleyway. Creating a gathering space where people can eat will increase food truck sales and encourage them to come more often. Finally, we have an empty food business opportunity in one of the buildings near this space. We are looking for a sandwich or soup shop to rent that space, and creating this outdoor seating area could help to fill this empty restaurant.