Historic Alley Area Gets More Modern Look

09.13.2012

City of Norcross, Georgia – The Norcross community improvement effort dubbed the "Skin Alley Block Project" began back in July, when new infrastructure such as conduit for future underground utilities, new grease traps and new above-ground electrical poles were installed. With these elements in place and D.O.T. permits secured, the next construction phase began today, with the focus now on hardscapes improvements.

Local historians don’t seem to agree why the alley behind the old buildings facing Norcross’ historical commercial district is called “Skin Alley” but modern consensus was the alley and adjoining streetscapes needed attention. Over a century of use had reduced the alley to a narrow, roughened strip often blocked by supply trucks delivering to local shops and restaurants. Norcross’ Livable Centers Initiatives (LCI) Study outlined plans to make the area more inviting and in July, the first phase began for realizing that vision.

According to Norcross City Engineer Jeff Mueller, the entrance from Jones St into Skin Alley will have a “plaza-like” appearance, with curbs, pavers and landscaping.  College and Jones Streets are adjacent to the alley, forming 3-sides of the block around which the improvements will take place. Streetscapes improvements to the 4th side, Holcomb Bridge Road, have already been completed.

“Skin Alley itself will be widened with a concrete and paver band that will allow pedestrians to walk through the area safely, and an area adjacent to the buildings where delivery trucks can park while still allowing through-traffic,” explained Mueller. “There will be a new sidewalk with landscaping beds and benches along College Street, and it will look like the streetscapes along Holcomb Bridge Road between South Peachtree and Buford Highway.”

 

Norcross’ Community Development Department Director Chris McCrary has coordinated the project construction contractor, AT&T and the city utilities team so the project can be completed as efficiently as possible, with the least amount of disruption to local pedestrian and through traffic.

 

“There won’t be any construction during events like Art Fest, the Italian Car Day and similar downtown events,” explained McCrary. “When the crews are not out there working, we’ll have the construction sites either securely blocked off or in a condition that it’s safe to walk on, even though it may not yet be the finished surface or condition.”

 

The whole project, including the hardscapes improvements along College and Jones Streets, is projected to take 180 days from start to finish, with demolition of the existing asphalt, concrete and curb materials to begin on September 17th.

 

The construction schedule is on Norcross’ municipal website, www.norcrossga.net. Questions about this project and its updated status should be directed to the Norcross Community Development Department at 678.421.2027 or jmueller@norcrossga.net. # # #

 

 

Here is the construction schedule for the first phase effective 9/13/12:

 

-          Demo of existing asphalt, concrete, curb, etc. will take place beginning 9-17 & will be complete on 9-28.

 

-          Storm drain from Cemetery Street running 1/2 way up skin alley will be 9-17 to 9-21. 

 

-          Storm drain from Jones Street running the other 1/2 of skin alley will be 9-24 to 9-28.

 

-          Concrete band that runs the entire length of skin ally separating the asphalt & the pavers will be put in the week of 10-1 to 10-5.

 

-          Pave between the concrete band & buildings the week of 10-8.

 

The construction schedule will be updated in early October to outline the next phase of construction and posted on the city website, www.norcrossga.net.