After almost two years of planning and delays, Gilroy has begun construction on a project to transform a back alley into a public square for pedestrians.
Gourmet Alley is currently a narrow street in downtown Gilroy that abuts a strip of restaurants, mostly serving to house dumpsters and access parking. But over the next few months, contractors will transform the alley into two blocks of pedestrian-only space, lined with trees, planters, benches and lights.
“This project aims to enhance and rejuvenate a vital … corridor within the heart of our downtown,” said Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley at its recent groundbreaking. “Our vision is to create a space that provides cleaner and safer access to this historic downtown and allows for pedestrian-only enjoyment of that space for strolling, dining, shopping and visiting.”
The construction marks a concrete step forward after almost two years of planning, delays, and reassessments.
The city was originally awarded $3.9 million from a Caltrans Clean California grant in May 2022 to beautify Gourmet Alley and nearby Railroad Alley. After the design was completed in October, however, no construction companies responded to the city’s call for bids. A subsequent search found bids coming in over a million dollars over budget, so city staff worked to downsize the project, cutting off a block of gourmet alley and removing Railroad Alley entirely.
While the original deadline for construction was June 2024, the deadline was pushed back to December to make space for the delays.
Last month, Gilroy City council voted unanimously to approve the smaller scope with local company Trinchero Construction taking the helm.
“Finally we’re getting it started,” said Blankley. “It’s gonna be such an improvement for the community.”
Still, some citizens and downtown business owners expressed concerns about how the construction and the new set up will affect them, many of whom spoke out at a community meeting last week.
City administrator Jimmy Forbis pulled no punches about the temporary effect of the construction. “I will tell you from the very start, we are going to be very disruptive. We are going to tear downtown up and it is going to be a pain for all of you,” said Forbis. “But we hope you get through with us because it’s going to be really nice when we do get done.”
Nearby parking is expected to be shut down for several weeks during construction, and the city says it is in ongoing communication with local entrepreneurs on its effect on their business. Construction is slated to finish by Winter 2024, with more information and updates available at https://www.cityofgilroy.org/1009/Gourmet-Alley-Project.