Enjoy the last few weeks of patio weather on Ingersoll Avenue’s newest outdoor seating space! An alleyway, located between 2714 and 2716 Ingersoll Avenue, has been activated with public art, lights and seating. The space is open to the public whether they are enjoying takeout food or drink from a neighboring business or just need a place to relax along the corridor.
An alleyway, located between 2714 and 2716 Ingersoll Avenue, has been activated with public art, lights and seating.
The project was made possible by a Community Betterment Grant from Prairie Meadows to The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand. The space contributes to The Avenues’ goal of creating a clean, safe, beautiful and healthy environment as well as aligning with the vision of the Urban Recreation District to identify new spaces to activate as “pocket patios” within the commercial, cultural and residential district.
Earlier this year, a pair of utility boxes adjacent to the alley were transformed with art by North of Grand neighbor Ramona Muse Lambert following a call for artists and public selection process. Lighting and seating was recently installed. Maintenance to the seating area is possible through partnership with Lachele’s Fine Foods and Ingersoll Flats.
The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand, recognized as a Cultural & Entertainment District by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs in 2020, has added several public art and urban recreation opportunities to the corridor this year, including:
- The first of eight DART art bus shelters featuring work from two Iowa artists was installed earlier this summer at 2100 Ingersoll Avenue
- A public art staircase was unveiled at 2300 Ingersoll to connect Ingersoll and Grand Avenues via an active pedestrian pathway
- Knit-ical Mass, a yarn-bombed bike collection, featuring the work of fiber artist Jen Geigley, was installed from late July-early September
