Redlands alleyway to be converted into pedestrian park

REDLANDS, Calif. (KABC) -- An alleyway between State Street and Citrus Avenue in Redlands will be converted into a public park.

On Thursday, city leaders broke ground to begin the process of revamping the alley. The park is part of the city's ongoing effort to improve its historic downtown.

Underpasses that serve as the city's gateway have been revamped with murals that depict the area's agricultural history.

"This place does have a lot of history, and it's kind of just nice to see it revamped before it goes away forever," said Pablo Plascencia from Empire Tattoo.

Construction crews will spend the next four months completely transforming the alleyway.

The pedestrian park will also serve local businesses. Tammy Barr, who owns a stationery and craft business called Crackerjacks, said she is excited to have an increase in foot traffic.

But not everyone is excited for the revamped alleyway.

Don Paden said parking is already a nightmare and blocking off the alleyway will increase traffic.

He added that there are four restaurants that dump trash, and on Sundays the alleyway looks like a "mess."

Other Redlands residents said they want to see the historic alleyway restored instead of redone into a park.

The project is scheduled to be finished in July.