Proposed idea of what the alley will look like after the renovation.

WARSAW — An empty alley will soon be turned into a downtown destination thanks to help from the community. The Warsaw Alley project reached and exceeded its final goal of $50,000 on Friday, May 5. A total of 144 donors raised $58,795 for the project.

Currently, the alley that connects Buffalo Street with the City Hall Plaza serves as a pass-through for vehicles. The goal is to make this alley an enjoyable place for the community with tables and chairs, landscaping, art, shade and public WiFi. This project is not just about beautification of the area, it’s about improving the pedestrian infrastructure downtown.

“Warsaw is a city on the rise,” said Rob Parker, President and CEO of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce. “However, there are few places for the public to gather and mingle in public spaces in the downtown. The Alley Project will address this specific need as well as incorporate bicycle parking that will create an environment that is conducive for people to participate in active transportation, a fast growing trend in our community. We believe this project will create a vibrancy to the downtown that will benefit everyone in our community.”

Since the City of Warsaw reached the $50,000 goal, the donations will be doubled. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority will provide a matching grant of $50,000 for the project.

“We are excited to support Warsaw on this creative, placemaking project,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, board chair for IHCDA. “This type of place-based community revitalization is exactly what is needed to create an Indiana with a quality of life for all Hoosiers to live in the communities of their choice.”

The project could begin as early as July.