Alley Gathering Space Facing Hurdles

A concept of what the alley may look like as a public space.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Creating a space downtown for people to meet and gather.

That concept involves transforming the alley directly west of the Chief Mahaska statue, or next to Smokey Row Coffee and Bridal Dreams, into an intimate gathering space that would allow downtown users and visitors a place to sit.

The space is being designed to help visitors take in the history of the community, from mining and agriculture to arts and music.

Two area residents have been helping to spearhead the project. Sherry Vavra and Theresa Grahek, Ann Brouwer and Karen Hafner formed a group called “The Alleycats”, and have been working on the concept for several months.

On Friday, Oskaloosa Main Street petitioned the Oskaloosa Historic Preservation Commission for permission to attach anchors to the walls of buildings to hang lighting in the alley. The anchors would be attached with the permission of the building owners.

Karen Hafner, Oskaloosa Main Street Director said that alley projects like the one being proposed are utilized in many other communities as gathering spaces, and this proposed project isn’t a new concept.

The commission also heard concerns about how the project may impact Bridal Dreams and the buildings tenants who utilize the dumpsters that are currently in the alley.

The management of the business said that they are not objecting to the beautification project, but is concerned that the function of the alley will be lost. Those functions include access for deliveries and the mentioned dumpsters, not only for the business but also the tenants of the buildings who rent apartments.

“If you take that alley away from us, you take away all our function,” said Bridal Dreams management to the Historic Preservation Commission.

The petition to attach the lighting to the buildings, pending building owners approval, was passed by the commission.

The discussion will now move on to the Oskaloosa City Council for their ultimate approval at an upcoming meeting.