By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Many major improvements, including quality-of-life additions, have been made in downtown Decatur in recent years and the latest may be what would be called the “DeCATur Alleyway.”
Decatur Main Street President Max Miller and Community Coordinator Jamie Gephart spoke with city council at its June 17 meeting about turning the half-block of alley beside Sherwin Williams downtown into an area featuring art work and other additions.
The east-west alley is already closed to traffic and has a cat sculpture at its east end.
Miller said Main Street’s design committee is leading the project, plans for which include colorful fixtures like benches, planters, lighting and activity equipment for kids.
A public art wall collage with a cat theme may also be featured.
Miller said the organization figures that the sprucing up of the alley can be completed for an estimated $25,000.
Gephart noted that not all the funds available for its facade grant program were consumed this year (all project requests were funded, however), with some $12,000 left over.
They said the Decatur Rotary Club is talking about covering the other $3,000 or so.
“I like the idea,” Councilman Matt Dyer said and moved to approve the use of the facade funds on the alley upgrade. A unanimous vote followed.
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