BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — The city of Bowling Green has partnered with Downtown Bowling Green and the Bowling Green Arts Council to revamp some of the city's downtown alleyways to better connect to its residents and visitors. The goal of this plan is to make these alleyways more appealing and parking more accessible.
Downtown Bowling Green has formed an alleyway committee, consisting of eight members who have been assigned to complete this mission. The committee members are Jenny Bowers, Jeff Dennis, Robin Gerrow, Greg Halamay, Rachel Phipps, Gordon Ricketts, Kati Thompson and Martha Woelke.
The committee's primary goals are to make each alleyway both unique and as safe as possible. Signage, art, seating and lighting will be used to better define and improve the pathways.
There are six primary walkways on which the committee will focus:
1&2. Dogleg Alley: The alleyways in between Finders and Insomnia Cookies. This area has long been known as Dogleg Alley and now will be officially deemed as such.
3. Union Alley: The alleyway behind Wildflower Aesthetics, Call of the Canyon and Kalifornia Glow. The name comes from the historical Union Street that once occupied the site of West Wooster Street that was home to the Union Hotel.
4. Monarch Alley: Near the Mini Mall on the southwest block of Main Street. This name is in honor of the Monarch Underwear Company, which once produced undergarments in this area. The name also pays homage to the monarch butterfly, to symbolize transformation and beauty.
5. Opera House Alley: The southernmost alleyway on the southeast block of Main Street. This name reflects the historic Hankey-Taber Opera House, which once brought cultural performances to the community.
6. Black Swamp Alley: The alleyway between Juniper and Becketts. This name honors both the region's history as the Great Black Swamp and the ongoing tradition of the Black Swamp Arts Festival.
A map of the affected alleyways is included below:
After the alleyways are completed, the next goal is to install metal signs on the entrances as well as lighting. Plans for more improvements are still in the works and will include art. The committee has allocated funds for artistic treatments, with a request for proposals set to be issued in September for mural work in Dogleg Alley.
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