Raising up the extensive alley network of Northside

presents

The mission of Spring in Our Steps is to renew

the viability of alleys, stairways and sidewalks

for safe pedestrian and community space.

What is

Spring in Our Steps?

1.Poor lighting, refuse, and overgrowth plague our

under-appreciated, under-utilized spaces.

2. Once clean & beautiful, our alleys should be

Integrated within the needs & dreams of the community.

South Wendell Alley, Cincinnati

Previous alley

activity In Northside

“After [the alleys have been reclaimed], we would like for the residents around the area to take pride in their own neighborhood and help maintain the alleys so the kids don’t always have…to do it.

Source: Cincinnati Post, 10-07-99

Purpose & Vision

of Allies for Alleys

PurposeTo plan, devise, and implement a neighborhood focused approach to assume coordination and liaison roles for the planning and execution of cleanup events, programming, and environmental improvements.

VisionTo improve conditions, to attract positive users, and to encourage independent programming and use of public alleys for Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood.

t

Public art, community cookouts, film screenings, decorative

lighting, sanctioned street art, yard sales—all in alleys.

Nord Alley, Seattle Pittaki Street, Athens

AC/DC Lane, Melbourne

What’s possible—!

Melbourne Laneways Festival, Melbourne

Conditions in

Northside’s alleys

Gorham Alleyfrom Georgia Avenue

Armour Alleyfrom Coates Alley

Conditions in

Northside’s alleys

Honer Alleyfrom Lingo Street

Vint Alley east of Cherry & Hoffner

Medill Alleyat Baltzer Alley

Carrie Alleyfrom Coates Alley

Cluxton AlleyFrom Vandalia Street

Ingol Alleyat Medill Alley

Work plan Identify locations of neighborhood pedestrian assets

Create inventory of community organizations for partnership

Identify volunteer groups & present benefits of SiOS Exhibit accessibility issues and blight conditions Communicate benefits of remediation

(cleanups, programming, informal gatherings, inventory of lighting outages) Develop a cleanup schedule including groups/dates

Coalesce key stakeholders for programming/improvements (residents, businesses, owners nearby), other organizations, and creative types to program inclusive events & adopt spaces

Identify costs for lighting, structures, and landscaping, and seek additional funding to reflect community vision

Work with city departments to reinstate/repair lighting;replace street name blades; add “no parking” signs; trimaround existing lighting for greater visibility; garner permitsfor use of public space

Scope of the project EventsCleanup events each weekend to raise profile Bike rides/walks throughout each alley

Community yard sales

Film screenings and musical performancesScavenger hunts“Sidewalk” sales along Lingo, Pope, and Cluxton Alleys

Finale event showcasing alleys, akin to The Jaunty Jubilee

Tasks

Liaison role to establish Adopt-a-Spot at every alleyBoric acid sprays to each alley(only one application needed per year)Pruning & trimming overhanging foliage for visibilityServe as liaison to DOTE & CPD for lighting/signage/repairs

Apply for permits and gaining permission to use walls for art

Call for support:

Budget & timeline

Activities Low HighCleanups to remove overgrowth, clear bricks, erase graffiti

$1000 $3000

Coordination of events Support for art, music, & film

$5000 $10000

Installation of lighting, mural, & other ornamental elements

Sky’s the limit

May-Jun Jun-Aug Sep-Oct

Scheduling and engagement

Coordination and programming

Wrap-up

Examples of costs include boric acid for weeds, Bobcat & tool rental, coordination, artist materials & commission, film fees.

Will use seed support to leverage matching funds.

Budget example:

The Jaunty Jubilee

Aug-Oct 2014

In-kind donations from Coffee Emporium, Lucy Blue Pizza, & Keep Cincinnati Beautiful.

thanks you!

We ask support through a commitment of up to $1000 for event coordination and base support forcleanup & programmed events.

Through such a residency program, we believe that these enhanced alleys will transform howNorthsiders & visitors relate to them.