Green in between: Detroit alley to become earth-friendly experiment

Louis Aguilar / The Detroit News

Detroit

The alley behind Motor City Brewing Works near Wayne State University is sadly typical for a Detroit alley: It's ghetto.

The cracked cement resembles a jigsaw puzzle. Trash as big as mattresses and small as crack pipes has been occasionally dumped amid the tall weeds. Some of the graffiti is covered by graffiti.

But if plans work out -- and they appear headed that way -- this ribbon of big city blight could become Detroit's first "green alley."

A coalition of business people, community groups, WSU and DTE Energy is working to transform a block of this east/west alley between Canfield and Prentis streets into a welcoming, earth-friendly patch of permeable asphalt that recycles water and nurtures native plants. Pedestrians and bicyclists could use it as a pathway, and all of it will be bathed in light from energy efficient street lamps.

"We hope it's a success and a model for many alleys in Detroit. A lot of them are in bad shape," said Susan Mosey, president of the University Cultural Center Association, the non-profit Midtown group helping to raise $50,000 for the project. The group already hopes to turn a second Midtown alley "green" later this year.

Transforming an alley from ghetto to green is a test of whether Detroit can act in progressive and environmentally friendly ways, organizers admit.

There is initial excitement and funding but red tape could still clog this dream.

"The high-level 'concept' part is done. Now comes the reality, and, that can be the messy part," said Thomas Brennan, co-founder of the Green Garage business, an incubator of green technology ideas, and a co-sponsor of the green alley.

It's taken two years to get the idea to this point. The green alley was originally suggested by a city planner, said John Linardos, co-owner of the Motor City Brewing Works.

The alley had been on the slide for years, he said. Budget cuts in city government over the past several years reduced bulk trash pick up and homeowners began being charged for trash collection service. The number of trash bins declined and garbage began to pile up.

About a year ago, an apartment complex that shares the alley went into foreclosure -- encouraging squatters and generating even more trash. The building has since been bought and secured from squatters.

"The messiest part of our week is right after the city dump trucks empty the trash bins. The whole alley can be covered with the trash left behind," Linardos said.

Frustrated by the lack of response from the city, Linardos began to explore the green alley concept and discovered other cities as big as Chicago and Boston have already utilized the idea, paid for by taxpayers.

Given Detroit's financial challenges, Linardos and brewery business partner, Dan Scarsella, knew they would have to find other funding and more support, and the nonprofit UCCA was key. DTE Energy is contributing $10,000 for the installation of energy efficient street lamps and WSU will provide technical assistance. WSU and UCCA also hope to break ground on a two-mile pedestrian walkway and bikeway near the alley.

"Everyone in the city has been really helpful. Actually, everyone we've approached has said 'Yes, please do this,' " Scarsella said.

But it's all virgin territory. There are no laws regarding building a green alley in the city and that's helped and hurt the project.

During his brief tenure as mayor, Kenneth Cockrel Jr. had a city "green czar," Rick Bowers. His successor, Dave Bing, has not appointed such an official.

But back on the City Council, as president, Cockrel still retains Bowers, exploring green ideas for the city. The rapid succession of three mayors has delayed the Midtown green alley project for more than a month.

Plenty of city officials, from the historic district commission to the planning department, have offered guidance on how to cut through the bureaucracy.

The project is expected to get a final green light from various city departments in a couple of weeks.

"Hopefully, then we have a template for others to follow," Linardos said.

But even one alley would be a major victory for Scarsella. "Sometimes, this city seems to forget that improving day-to-day life can be big victories for a lot of people."

laguilar@detnews.com (313) 222-2760