Gravel streets lined with weeds. This description may come to mind when you think of Manhattan’s alley ways. These areas of disrepair were the sole discussion item on the agenda for City Commissioners, during a Tuesday night work session at City Hall.
Public Works Director, Robert Ott led commissioners in a discussion that focused on improvements to alley ways – located in the Multi-Family Redevelopment (M-FRO) District developed between 2001 and 2005.
Developed through community discussion, revision and compromise, the M-FRO District is designed to guarantee that infill development is functionally integrated and compatible, with the traditional characteristics of Manhattan’s early neighborhoods.
The existing district is made up of 22 alleys, occupying 15,644 sq. yards of surface space.
More than half of the alley ways are in need of repair, with a total of seven unpaved.
As commissioner’s learned, these conditions have created poor drainage. In a city where flooding has become a common concern in recent months, repairs could have wide spread benefits.
Proposed expansions to the district would see four alleys, with only two unpaved.
Other potential solutions discussed, included solicitation of requests for proposal from consultants – who would design and bid improvements for the poorly conditioned alleys.
Because the meeting was a work session, no motions were made on the issue, and financing options will be made by commissioners in the future.
