CrackerBarrelAlley-ProjectCLOSE-WF8-8-18
Completed Project Report: Cracker Barrel Alley
Northampton, MA
1. Campaign Summary
Our campaign raised $10,000 using a combination of social media (the Patronicity produced video went
viral in our community), word of mouth, and local media coverage. The City, using a combination of city
funds and a disability access improvement grant covered all shortfalls in the project.
Social media, with a great video, and traditional media built community interest.
2. Project Summary
We did our crowd funding with only a vague concept and no details, so nothing was defined originally.
We ended up holding three focus group and public meetings and a great deal of public discussion for the
final design solution. Our solution built on a growing understanding that to transform the alley, three
critical steps were required:
1. We needed to consider the access points to the alley.
2. We needed to look at the pedestrian paths to the alley, and not look at the alley in isolation.
3. We needed to close vehicle access to the alley.
To that end, the project evolved to:
1. The city gave permission to an adjacent coffee shop to build a parklet on the north end of the
alley, to influence how people used the alley.
2. The city built a curb extension on the south side of Main Street to shorten the distance of the
crosswalk that crosses Main Street and make it a more desirable pathway into the alley.
3. The city enlarged the greenbelt/tree opening at the mouth of the alley to allow the tree there to
grow and shade the alley.
4. The city prohibited vehicles from driving down the alley, dedicating it only to pedestrians and
bicycles, including posting Do Not Enter signs.
5. The city physically closed the curb cut to the alley, blocking vehicles and making the sidewalk
leading into the alley far more attractive (and handicap accessible)
6. The city installed planter barrels to further green the mouth of the alley.
The project closed one of four curb cuts across Main Street, has increased pedestrian use of the
alley, has started discussions about close a second curb cut, and has made pedestrian paths to and
through the alley far more desirable.
Total project cost, including related accessibility improvements, was just over $72,000.
The project opened on July 15, 2018 (with major parts of the work opening much earlier).
3. Quotes or Stories of the projects impact on the community
“We like two projects wrapping up soon in downtown Northampton — converting Cracker Barrel Alley
into a walkway and space for bicyclists, and installing new stained glass windows in Thornes
Marketplace. They will add to the vibrancy on Main Street,” said the Daily Hampshire Gazette in a lead
editorial. The editorial continued, “In addition to being a more welcoming spot for people on foot and
bicycles, the alley’s wheelchair ramp will be upgraded to meet requirements set by the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Green space also will be added.”
4. Partners
Iconica Social Club, a café on the northerly end of the alley, was a leader and built the first green space
on city land adjacent to their property, creating a magnet drawing people through the alley and building
community desire. Other partners were the dozens of supporters who both contributed financially and
helped fight the political battle for the project in light of some opposition to closing the alley to vehicles.
5. Next Steps
Our next steps are:
1. Thinking about how we can replicate the success of this project, and are already having
discussions on two other downtown alleys.
2. Thinking about how we can use the movable parklet we have that first began the conversations
about the alley almost three years ago when we used it to close off vehicle access down the
alley.
3. How we can further green the alley, but in a way that breaks the echo noise in the alley and
avoids new nuisance noise that has made the abutters to the alley nervous.
Signature: Date: 8/8/2018
Title & Organization: Wayne Feiden, Director of Planning & Sustainability, City of Northampton
Email:WFeiden@NorthamptonMA.gov
ITEM# of Item Purchased$ / ItemTotal Cost of ItemSource Company or Manufacturer Web link to Item or CompanyMain St. curb extension, south side Cracker Barrel Alley crosswalk1 $20,000$20,000 AJ Virgilo Constructionwww.AJVirgilio.comMain St. curb closure & treebelt expansion, south side Cracker Barrel Alley 1 $42,142$42,142 AJ Virgilo Constructionwww.AJVirgilio.comAmber Lane parklet north side of Cracker Barrel Alley1 $10,000$10,000 Iconica Social Club (donated- value estimated)www.Iconicasocialclub.comPlanters4 $100 $400 Downtown Northampton Association (donated)www.northamptonDNA.comCracker Barrel Alley signage2 $100 $200 City of Northamptonwww.northamptonma.govTOTAL $72,742Project Name: Main Street & Cracker Barrel Alley ParkletFunding Sources: Partronicity crowd funding & matching funds, City of Northampton fundsCreator: City of NorthamptonLocation: Cracker Barrel Alley and its entrances, Northampton1
Before
A sad unloved alley
dominated by cars
During (photos: Daily Hampshire Gazette)
An alley requires a good entrance
A pedestrian alley requires no cars
After
Anchors and Pathways
Pedestrian friendly