By Amanda Raymond

amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

Another spot like Easy Street is coming soon to Salisbury.

At the Salisbury City Council meeting on Tuesday, the council approved a motion to adopt an ordinance amending section 13-365 of the City Code to allow a portion of Hogan’s Alley to be closed to vehicular use.

The closure would begin on North Main Street and stop at the end of the building at 119 N. Main St., Vickie Eddleman, traffic engineering coordinator, said at the meeting.

Eddleman also said that 55 percent of private property owners in the area were in favor of the request. One property owner did not sign in favor or opposition, and one signature could not be counted because it was typed. If the typed signature was counted, the percentage of property owners in favor of the closure would be 67 percent.

Since the ordinance was approved, the entrance to the alley will be blocked in a way to prohibit vehicular traffic. Since the alley was a one-way street, that blockage will only be on the North Main Street side of the closure.

According to Paula Bohland, executive director of Downtown Salisbury, Inc., a series of focus group interviews conducted in 2014 found that people wanted more public spaces.

“The number one comment that we received, or group of comments that we received, is a request for an increase in public spaces, public art and places for people to gather,” Bohland said.

Councilman Kenny Hardin commented that the closing of the alley was also a public safety issue. The alley is too narrow for vehicles and pedestrians to use at the same time.

“It’s no longer a very useable alley for vehicles at all and it’s very unsafe for vehicles,” Bohland agreed.

Bohland showed the council conceptual drawings of what the alley could become, with public art along the walls, greenery and planters, bike racks, benches and appropriate signage. Bohland said there is funding prepared to provide the design and installation of everything they might put in the alley.

Lighting and other amenities for safety would also be added.

Mayor Karen Alexander asked about the possibility of rotating the art pieces that will be featured in the alley, and Bohland said they are partnering with the Salisbury Public Art Committee to make that possible.

One parking space would also be gained on Main Street.

“I’m sure that would make a lot of people happy,” Alexander said.

Bohland said closing the alley to vehicle traffic would be a good repurpose of the public space and make the community more aesthetically pleasing and walkable.

After a motion from Councilman Brian Miller, the ordinance to amend the code in order to allow the closure of a portion Hogan’s Alley to vehicular traffic was approved.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.