News

Cedar Rapids Alley Crash

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Great things happen when you get a great group of people together. Staff from all Confluence locations met up in Cedar Rapids to transform a parking ramp and an alley into a pedestrian-friendly pocket park.

The goal was to alter the public’s perception of alleys in Downtown Cedar Rapids through the use of temporary interventions that transform an alley from a purely utilitarian space to an attractive, pedestrian-friendly public space.

Historically, Cedar Rapids alleys have served as service drives and one-way vehicular connections which has resulted in a network of desolate corridors that are not pedestrian-friendly. While alleys serve a critical function for the many shops, restaurants and offices throughout Downtown by providing a location for dumpsters and service vehicles; they can also function as pedestrian spaces capable of locating amenities such as outdoor seating, art installations and pedestrian linkages.

This installation acknowledged and rewarded existing pedestrian use of a selected alley, and involved injecting simple pedestrian-oriented amenities such as colorful banners and artwork, plantings and seating to transform this space into a linear urban park while preserving existing service functions.

Our hope is this temporary transformation will spark greater recognition of the potential role that alleys can play in promoting pedestrian activity - and that it leads to future permanent alley improvements throughout Downtowns in more locations throughout the Midwest.

News Potential 23rd Street Revamp in Columbus, NE

News KCU Breaks Ground on New Center for Medical Education Innovation

News Beyond the Loop Study