Burchfield Trace Alley provides a gateway
The three strings of overhead lights and the lights mounted to each archway pillar can be controlled and programmed separately to create themed lighting to match holidays and city events. (Photo by Morgan Arhart)
A ribbon cutting held Friday celebrated the completion of significant upgrades to the Burchfield Trace Alley including new archways, lighting and a stereo system to promote use of the city’s municipal parking lots. Pictured from left are Lighting Specialist Ed Wojciechowski of Edison Lighting, General Contractor Matt Dangel of MBD Carpentry LLC, City Service Safety Director Joe Cappuzzello, Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey, Joe Hovorka, and Street Foreman Shawn Smith. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
The three strings of overhead lights and the lights mounted to each archway pillar can be controlled and programmed separately to create themed lighting to match holidays and city events. (Photo by Morgan Arhart)
A ribbon cutting held Friday celebrated the completion of significant upgrades to the Burchfield Trace Alley including new archways, lighting and a stereo system to promote use of the city’s municipal parking lots. Pictured from left are Lighting Specialist Ed Wojciechowski of Edison Lighting, General Contractor Matt Dangel of MBD Carpentry LLC, City Service Safety Director Joe Cappuzzello, Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey, Joe Hovorka, and Street Foreman Shawn Smith. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
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SALEM-- A ribbon cutting held Friday celebrated the completion of the city's upgrades to the Burchfield Trace Alley.
The upgrades cost roughly $75,000 and were paid with American Rescue Plan funds.
They include new decorative archways, bistro lighting, directional lighting, and a sound system for music -- intended to present "an inviting gateway from the parking lot entrance behind Ezio's Restaurant to Broadway Avenue," according to a press release.
Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey said that these improvements would make people feel safer and more comfortable taking advantage of using the adjacent municipal lot and help relieve parking issues downtown.
Dickey also said that the alley would also see the addition of bistro tables and seating in the summer to give people a place to "socialize and relax in the shade."
The alley will now be fully lit in the evening, with music playing from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. City Service Safety Director Joe Cappuzzello said that the lights would turn on 30 minutes before sunset and currently are set to turn off at 10 p.m. This time will be extended as the season continues, with Cappuzzello noting they may stay on as late as 11p.m. to 12 a.m. in the spring and summer.
Cappuzzello said that the city could fully control what type of music was playing, and the color and timing of lights joking that the system could "do anything you could think of."
This includes tailoring light coloration and music choice to match holidays or city events such as red for Valentines Day, pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, or purple and orange for Halloween. Cappuzzello explained that the individual overhead light strings, and each of the mounted post lights could be controlled and programmed separately.
"We really have a program for all 365 days of the year -- we tried to think of and cover every holiday and event," said Cappuzzello.
Cappuzzello also said the city would be collaborating with the nearby businesses on aesthetic upgrades to the rear of their buildings, including improvements to trash storage with Ezio's Italian Restaurant, and potentially a mural by the Salem High School art club at the rear of Ziegler's Trophy if the business approves.
These upgrades come amid ongoing efforts to promote the city's municipal parking and promote walkability in the downtown area, which saw Sugartree Alley also receive significant lighting and aesthetic upgrades in November.