An artist works on a mural at dT-Alley, a T-shaped alley dedicated to the arts and education located in downtown Las Vegas Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020.
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020 | 2 a.m.
A pedestrian-oriented interactive public art and community space is opening in Downtown Las Vegas today, eight years after the project was first announced.
Downtown Alley, stylized as dT-Alley, is an existing alley located between Las Vegas Boulevard, 6th Street, Fremont Street and Carson Avenue. Previously vacant and a hotbed for litter, the alley has been transformed through the new initiative, featuring murals, greenery and whimsical interactive attractions such as a piano, a miniature puppet theater and a book exchange area.
Dubbed the first alley revitalization project in Las Vegas, dT-Alley was first conceived of by developer and downtown enthusiast Todd Kessler. Ahead of today’s grand opening, the Las Vegas City Council recognized Kessler at its meeting Wednesday for the innovative and ambitious project.
“We’re grateful for this, to take a disgusting alley and make it something wonderful and exciting, and a new concept,” Mayor Carolyn Goodman said.
The project includes 10 murals from local artists that “personify downtown Las Vegas,” Mayor Pro Tem Michele Fiore said. Newly installed LED streetlights, drainage features and landscaping aim to make the alley safer and more enjoyable for locals and tourists, Fiore said.
Run by a nonprofit in partnership with local organizations and private ventures, dT-Alley will host art walks, farmers markets and family friendly events, according to a news release about the project. Children and adults alike will be able to play the piano, take and place books in the book exchange, perform shows at the theater and share secrets in the confession booth installation.
“One of the key components of the alley is children,” Kessler said.
In partnership with the service group Caridad Gardens, the space will also be the site of a new community garden that employs and empowers formerly homeless veterans. The nearby 9th Bridge School will also work with dT-Alley, hosting field trips in the area, Kessler said.
“It is by far the most transformative project that I have been involved in,” he said.
All are welcome to attend the grand opening ceremony at 2 p.m.
