Alley of the Future

In the fall of 2022, the City of Bexley is launching a bold new community challenge to help us design the "Alley of the Future".

Alleys have long served to provide access to properties, conduits for the provision of city services, and informal gathering and play spaces. The Alley of the Future contest asks community members to help us envision dynamic and community-building ways to better use the alleys that service approximately half of Bexley's homes.

The winning Alley of the Future submission will be selected as a City infrastructure project for 2023. City staff will work with the winning applicant to hone the project scope. Budgetary and practical restrictions may limit the implementation of all parts of the winning alley submittal.

Upcoming Events

Jan. 30, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Bexley City Hall
Community Workshop
and Design Brainstorming

Past Events

Sept. 7 at Bexley Public Library
Program Launch Workshop
View Video Recording Here

Sept. 28, 6:30-8:00 pm
Bexley Public Library
Ask-an-Expert Panel and Q&A

October 6, 5:00-6:30 pm
Bexley City Hall
Open Office Hours

October 14
Application Deadline

Competition Process

So you'd like to submit your alley for the Alley of the Future contest!

We recommend you watch the launch workshop video to get a good feel of the competition and the process involved.

The steps to applying for the competition include:

  1. Create a concept! Our workshops serve as a resource you can use, but inspiration for your Alley of the Future concepts can come from you, your neighbors, and/or any sources you wish to draw from.
  2. Work with your neighbors to socialize your concept and make any changes/additions/subtractions based upon feedback you receive. "Ask and Expert" and "Open Office Hours" events are also a great resource to help you refine concepts.
  3. Circulate an application petition, to make sure that alley neighbors are aware of the application and are on board with the plan being proposed. Applications need at least 75% approval from alley properties in order to be considered.
  4. Complete the application online by Friday, October 14!  Complete applications include a submitted concept, a completed petition, and narrative details submitted on the application form.

Guiding Principals to Consider

A successful Alley of the Future contender will help us address challenges and opportunities around:

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
What changes to alley infrastructure and alley features can be made to address stormwater handling, native plantings and pollinators, light pollution, air quality, etc?

SAFETY
Are there ways to encourage safer alley environments for all users?

COMMUNITY BUILDING
How can alleys be designed to encourage social interaction, active play, physical fitness, etc?

MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION
How can alleys better accommodate a variety of transportation modes, including vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian, etc?

PROVISION OF CITY SERVICES
How can we more effectively provide City services through alleys?

ARTS AND CULTURAL CONNECTIVITY
How can alleys provide a canvas for artistic expression and cultural connectivity?

BEAUTIFICATION
What efforts can be made to encourage naturally and architectural beautiful, tidy alley environments?

A Few Project Examples