The smell of stale urine, trash, puddles, cracked pavement - these are the things one might find in a dingy, unkempt alley. But can Sacramento turn those alleys into commercial and residential areas resembling something more like an oasis, complete with plants, permeable pavement and a sense of safety?

That is what more than 75 Sacramento residents met to discuss on Wednesday, March 25. A monthly gathering organized by Sacramento's Urban Design Alliance (UDA), this week's dialogue was entitled Alleys in Sacramento's Future, and was standing room only for about a third of the crowd.

The meeting began with everyone introducing themselves, viewing a photograph of an alley, and telling what they liked, or didn't like about it. No one seemed completely disappointed or disgusted with the alleys, with most describing something positive.

Panelists Jeremy Drucker, principal of Stitch-Space, and Aaron Zeff, project developer of Restaurant Row, gave brief presentations about why they were inspired to develop alleyways. Tom Pace, long-range planning manager for the city of Sacramento, added that "Alleys should feel enclosed and safe, and give people opportunity to make use of backyard space."

This was followed by a facilitated dialogue moderated by Brian Fischer, founder of Midtowngrid.com. More than a dozen people brought up issues that developers should consider when remodeling alleyways.

Several people noted that many alleys smell like garbage. Some businesses have trash cans in their alleyways, and we in general seem to simply lack the ability to clean our alleys enough others said.

Another important issue was the slope of many alleys being American Disabilities Act (ADA) noncompliant, meaning they are inaccessible to disabled people who are in wheelchairs. 

Others brought up the point that fire and emergency response vehicles might also not be able to access alleyways.

Several others mentioned that though delivery trucks might block many alleys and create a hazard during the day it was agreed that each case should be looked at differently, so that each alley has an organic feel. A few others mentioned that alleyway trucks also pollute the air with their loud obtrusive sound.

A number of people voiced their concerns that the history of many of these alleys should be addressed and even be focused on during a renovation, while others discussed how to deal with storm water in alleys.

Zeff closed with a challenge to citizens and the city to give their input and help create interesting alleyways so as not to create another suburb.

Next month's free meeting will be held at the same location – the AIA Central Valley Conference Room at 1400 S Street in Sacramento on Wednesday, April 29.