Up Your Alley cleaning up downtown Hamilton laneways

A series of downtown alleys in Hamilton are getting an urban renewal.

The Up Your Alley project is cleaning up the laneway that runs parallel to the north side of King from James to Wellington. It’s turning it from an area known for dumpsters, graffiti and urine into a much more inviting and clean area.

Members involved in the project held a wrap-up breakfast and award ceremony for business and property owners who are making a difference in the area.

Oliver Hierlihy of the Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement Area told CHCH News, “We really aimed to do a lot of things. Part of that was to clean up the graffiti, clean up the garbage figure out schedules that worked so we’ll have sustained garbage pick up and a clean alleyway that is more welcoming, also with the installation of light bulbs to make sure the alleyway’s always well lit up; plenty of other small projects to keep the alleyway beautiful for downtown Hamilton.”

A handful of art pieces are now in the alleys. Organizers say they plan to continue improving the area throughout the year.