Rethinking Urban Alleyways in Seattle

"Recently, Seattle’s Department of Transportation co-sponsored a competition with the Seattle-based International Sustainability Institute to see if our community of creative designers could concoct ideas for Nord Alley, between S. Main and S. Jackson Streets in Pioneer Square. At a recent gala, several winners were announced with great fanfare and kudos by Councilwoman Sally Bagshaw, chair of the council’s parks committee.This could bode well for the cityscape, as this is the same committee that is converting Bell Street into a future urban park.

Seattle’s Department of Transportation is now supporting the creative use of the public rights of way in the city. Alleys are a relatively simple way of creating unique public spaces without needing to purchase expensive land."

Ideas for reusing alleyways range from the simple addition of lighting to elaborate plans to lure businesses into alley spaces.