Melbourne day 3
Another day embedded in the fine grain – there are endless adventures within this city. After a trip south to St. Kilda beach, I explored more laneway bar culture with a visit to the famous Cherry Bar in ACDC Lane, formerly Corporate Lane. The city changed the name about 15 years ago in honor of the local legends.
Today, I spent a good part of the day in my new favorite alley of all my travels thus far – Centre Place. This place is incredibly rich. Apparently, it used to be a prime shortcut from the main train station to the next main road. This alley has incredible shops with simple roll down doors, the city’s bluestone pavers, copious amounts of shipping boxes for stools, and great bars above the street as well, including Hell’s where I spent a good three hours documenting activities in this beautiful urban space. It may be a prime candidate for a physical model demonstrating the potential of alleys and existing buildings’ capacity to become open and usable.
Alleys of Seattle 
Looks like some great research, Daniel. It will be interesting to hear about the policies Melbourne used to accomplish such a dramatic change in their alleys.
Lisa, it is really a different city in their emphasis placed on progressive permitting, the embracing of what they call micro-cultures, and the general liberal attitude toward the city as a whole. It feels incredibly safe, vibrant, and dynamic. The meetings I have had with the two city officials in their Council House 2 building have been great, and the building they work in is a testimony to these attitudes. I can’t wait to share it all with our city! They are very interested in mentoring an arts program for our alleys.
We’re trying to create some excitement about transforming our alleys in Mount Vernon, WA so your posts from your travels are of great interest to us. Will you be making more additions? What are the plans for your research? What is the future of research? Will you be making public presentations? I’d like to continue a dialogue with you about this subject. Thanks for your postings.
Frank Bettendorf
Mount Vernon, WA
Frank,
What are the alleys of Mt. Vernon like? I will be making many more additions to the research – I am putting together my final post on Melbourne with a couple videos this weekend! I have been quite busy planning my last research trip to Japan this coming Tuesday – where I will visit the alleys of Kyoto and Tokyo for two weeks and document them for our use!
I am currently in the process of finding a small space to exhibit in while working towards a larger final exhibit beginning in May at the American Institute of Architects’ gallery in Belltown here in Seattle. This exhibit will run from May to June of 2011. I am also beginning to work on a series of walking tours of downtown Seattle alleys that will include public presentations.
I would absolutely love to come visit your community and give a presentation on my findings upon my return from Japan after Thanksgiving. Please let me know when a good time, or event is.
I am so happy to hear that this research is inspiring other communities so close!
Best,
Daniel