Downtown Alleyway Finally Getting A Purpose

MELROSE, MA — Alleyways are just kind of weird in general. But the city is looking to put the one nestled between the Y and Rising Eagle to work as more than just an awkward pedestrian cut-through.

The Central Terrace alleyway will undergo a transformation "by expanding the space available for walking, resting, and gathering, along with space for future public programming and pop-up shops," according to a release from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

There will also be some furniture for outdoor dining, City Planner Denise Gaffey said.

The City council this week voted to accept the $28,822.75 Shared Streets and Spaces grant from MassDOT, setting the changes into motion.

The alley has long been a leading "I can't believe they let cars down here" way until recently. The changes will close the curb off — eliminating the need for the current driver-deterring flowerbed — and repave the alley. The closed curb will result in another parking spot downtown.

A mural along the pavement extending up the YMCA will give the alley some added pizazz.

The city will work with the Y, the Turner family which owns the Rising Eagle and the sole residential address at very end of Central Terrace to work out specifics.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook