Most Perry residents probably remember the consensus worst alley approach in the City, located between Mary Rose Collection and the Perry Perk Coffee Shop on Warford Street. However, that bad spot became the starting point to a new pedestrian courtyard.

City Administrator Sven Peterson says the Public Works Department came in and repaired the problem area earlier in the year. While the approach was fixed, it unfortunately created a dam effect for water in the alley, so they had to repair and pave further back. Once again that proved not enough, so public works had to go even farther. When work was completed, the City realized they had just created a really nice area. Peterson says the neighboring business owners then had an idea for the space. “The concept came together for kind of turning this into a pedestrian courtyard. So we took a couple of the older concrete planters and put that at either end to kind of block that off from traffic, and then they’re having an artist come in and do murals on the wall. And it’s just really turning into a beautiful space.”

While most agreed it was a good project, Peterson admits he may have jumped the gun on getting it off the ground. “I did get off to a bad start on the project by not involving more of the neighbors in that planning process, which is why we did bring it to City Council and talk through that. The neighbors were present and they were able to provide their input. There were some issues that came up that I wasn’t even thinking of, but we were able to mitigate those issues the best we could and I think everybody in the neighborhood is accommodated and can make things work.”

One of the concerns brought up was snow removal, but that was addressed by only having the alley be a courtyard from spring through fall. In the winter the planters will be removed and it will be a normal alleyway. To learn more about Perry City projects, listen to this past Tuesday’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.