News photo by Steve Schulwitz Hopside Brewery employee Doug Haynes wiped down tables at work Friday. This small business is located along an alley in downtown Alpena, which will be permanently closed and the small business along the alley will be able to use the extra room for outdoor dining, cocktails, and events. .
ALPENA — Earlier this month, the Alpena City Council voted to permanently close an alley that runs between Second and Third Avenues behind Chisholm Street shopping centers such as Rusty Petunia and Hopside Brewery.
Officials say the closure will give these businesses more space to expand their outdoor offerings and improve downtown's walkability.
Anne Gentry, executive director of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority, said staff continues to move handicap parking and trash cans to the back of stores and install large flower boxes along alleyways. he said.
Gentry said further improvements will be made to the alley to transform it into a gathering space where people can enjoy outdoor dining, cocktails, entertainment and other events.
The alley is already lined with many murals and small parks, and the area around it is beginning to develop into its own downtown district.
“We're building permanent flower beds and we're just going to develop them along the back of the alley and make it a more attractive place for local businesses to use and for events to be held,” Gentry said. “There will be more space for things like outdoor dining, music events or flower festivals.”
Gentry said businesses are currently offering outdoor dining along the alley, but cars are moving up and down the narrow alley, creating safety issues.
Closing an alley to vehicles “just makes it safer, because I've been there and cars try to drive through, and it's really time to close it permanently.” Because there are,” Gentry said.
Businesses along the alley are already considering how they can benefit from the additional space.
Hopside Brewery has already added cornhole boards and other outdoor games, and Gentry said Mango's Tequila Bar plans to make changes to the back of the building, including a drink and a walk-up food counter.
Alley improvements are just one project changing the dynamics of downtown.
The redesign of Carrigan Square at the corner of Second Avenue and Chisholm Street is expected to begin later this year, and a downtown restroom facility is expected to open next year near the square's parking lot.
The city also plans to use the grant money it received to build new restroom facilities at Bayview Park, not far from the Bandshell.
