Monroe DDA received state award for Best Design Project of Year for activity alley

During the Annual Awards Ceremony of the Georgia Downtown Conference, The Georgia Downtown Association recognized the Monroe Downtown Development Authority and the Downtown Activity Alley as the Downtown Excellence-Best Design Project of the Year.

The Monroe Downtown Development established two goals for their downtown; addressing parking challenges and creating more places to play in downtown.  With these goals in mind, the idea of an activity alley was quickly put at the top of the Monroe DDA’s to-do list.  After establishing a crowd-funding campaign, work began on the alleyway and with the help of volunteers and business owners, the alleyway was cleared, cleaned and repainted with bright colors.  Interactive musical instruments, painted hopscotch games, jumping challenges and a painted mural that provides a backdrop for photos were all installed.  The alley provides an entertaining and interesting path from off street parking and has become a destination in itself.

As the premier event on downtown development and historic preservation in the state, the Georgia Downtown Conference promotes downtown and economic development through public awareness, governmental relations and education.