Do You Like Skin Alley's New Look?

The new look of downtown's Skin Alley debuted during Sparkle! last month, just in time for the horse-drawn carriage rides to stroll down it.

The face-lift includes widening the road with paver bands and concrete, giving it an overall appearance to give it a plaza-like feel.

Many see it as a huge improvement on the way it looked before. The new street is more inviting, and the brick pavement matches the sidewalks on other downtown streets.

There have been some complaints on the updates, though, such the nostalgia and history that came with the old alleyway. 

I have personal experience with this, too: On Skin Alley right behind 45 South Cafe was where my then-boyfriend (now husband) proposed to me. When I pointed out the new Skin Alley to him, his initial reaction was surprise, but not in a good way.

"What? They've changed where we got engaged?" he exclaimed.

Aside from the memories some may have, others just may not like the new look of it.

The new paver bands and concrete is only the beginning, though. There are still other landscaping plans in the works, and everything is expected to finish in February or March 2013, according to Norcross Community Development Director Chris McCrary.

Additionally, Norcross' Downtown Development Authority told the Norcross City Council during Monday's policy work session that they would like to move forward with a proposal on upgrading not only Skin Alley, but College Street, Jones Street and Holcomb Bridge.

The DDA proposal would take the Livable Centers Intiative study into consideration, as the initial reconstruction on Skin Alley already had done.

Do you think Skin Alley's updated streetscape fits in with the feel of Historic Downtown Norcross more, or do you loathe the new look? Tell us in the comments.

See also:

• City Starts Skin Alley Block Project
• Speak Out: Would You Change Skin Alley's Name?
• City Sends Bid for Second Phase of Skin Alley Project

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