Un or Intentional Connectors
During my exploration of the EDGE District this week I found 6 prominent alleys. I have always been interested in alleys…for me they are the spaces/places that stray from the overly planned grid system of our cities. They are mysterious, scarey, peaceful, whimical, and offer opportunities of engagement/creativity that produce feelings of personal "ownership" in a public space.
While the inclusion of planned alleys certainly have a purpose in the great system of our cities, they are usually overlooked, under utilized, and interesting sites that blur the line between (perceive or unperceived) public and/or private spaces.
The history of alleys can be traced back as early as 430 B.C. in the Greek city of Olynthus and became prominent in city planning during the 19th Century Industrial England. The purpose and use of Alleys throughout history is largely the same in that they allowed physical services such as refuse removal, underground and above ground utilities to be separated from the main street, but also provided a place that supported housing for the poor.
They can be either formal or informal, dirt or paved, maintained or neglected, dangerous or charming, paths or streets; but they are always at the backs of main thoroughfares and of public consciousness. While there are several types of alleys their initial construction usually falls under two categories; Intentionally planned alleys or left over spaces from poorly planned construction projects. Although alleys share similar traits, they are not all the same. They are diverse and unique places that are CONNECTORS; physically, functionally and conceptually.
The alleys of the Edge District were surprisingly unique both visually and functionally for such a small area. Below is a very general descripition of each;
The Floyd Alley lives between Danny Thomas and fourth street. It literally dead ends in one of the few modern housing complexes in the district and feels rather staged at the west end of the alley. There were plenty of locked unidentified doorways, access to abandoned parking lots, and the only evidance I found of someone sleeping in one of edges alleys. There was plenty of street art paired with sloppy tags. While I did encounter a runner in the alley I didnt feel entirely safe....and I can't explain why....It was by far the longest, most visable, and most accessable alleys in the district.
"On Lock Down" Alley is visable from S. Lauderdale St. on the oppoosite side of the street from the Wonder Bread factory. It is literally the nicest alley...it appears to be recently painted and completely locked up. Towards the back of the alley is a nice metal balcony and it made me happy to see a patch of graffiti on the roof. The nicenss of this alley is totally part of new businesses moving to the area but it is rather sad that revitalized alleys in this area means that the space must live behind a tall locked gate.
"Mystery" Alley turned out not be a real alley after further research. But I have to be honest.....my entire personal interest in the Edge Distrist is because every time I drive by the entrance of this space my creative stomach butterflies start flittering. The access point is off of Union across from the Commercial Appeal. One side of the alley/road follows back of buildings while the other side is lined with trees and goes under Marshall Avenue and dead ends at a huge wall (200 ft?) at Madision Avenue. It turns out that this is the former rail bed of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad that first connected the Atlantic Ocean with the Mississippi River in 1857!
Escape Alley is accessable from Union Avenue (just up from the Mystery Alley) and connects to Marshall Avenue. The North side of the alley appears to have residents including the beloved Marshall Arts while the buildings on the South side of the alley seem to be empty. There is a rather creative vide in the area despite many attempts at "buffing" the street art in the alley. The only artwork not painted over are small wood paintings attached to electric poles. While these little paintings are not all that exciting, they are so far the only unconvential (i.e street art, murals, sculptures) inclusions of artwork in the neighborhood.
10 Year Canvas Alley is accessable from Monroe Avenue Extended and connects to Madison Avenue. This alley is totally a street artists paradise as graffiti is sanctioned and unsanctioned and in complete juxtoposition to Escape Alley. There are large pieces, small pieces, and a huge section that has become the 10 year canvas for street artist Paser. A few weeks back I decided to take a walk through the neighborhood and ran into him before he embarked on a the most recent layer of skin to his canvas. He has permission to paint there and he comes out every couple of weeks. He was really nice and interested in the notion of Collabortory.
Parking Lot vs. Trees Alley is accessable on North New Orleans Street and Neely Street. Half of the alley is wider then what you would expect and has become parking for many of the restuarants on Madison Avenue but the further west you go the more overgrown and harder it is to travel through the alley with a car. The North side of the alley is near the Edison Apartments. This space was really confusing mostly due to proximity of the apartment buildings. It seemed like a quite place to live but further investigation is needed into the housing opportunities in the area. I personally love it when nature takes over the built enviroment.
DiD I say that I like Alleys.....? ;0) I could go on but I will stop there.