Representatives from Warsaw and the state were present to celebrate the completion of the community-funded project.

WARSAW — The city of Warsaw held a ribbon cutting for the completion of the alley project yesterday, Sept. 20. Representatives from Warsaw and the state were present to celebrate the completion of the community-funded project.

“We’re here today to celebrate a really unique project, in a really unique community with a really unique kind of funding,” said Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer. “This was just a dark, dingy alley that served a few cars a day.”

The alley is located off of Buffalo Street near Warsaw City Hall. Through community donations and a matching grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, adequate funding was received to completely change the alley. Now, the alley acts as a community gathering place with tables and chairs, landscaping, art, shade and public WiFi.

Assistant City Planner Justin Taylor helped come up with the alley project in 2013 during Ball State’s Image Warsaw project. He helped make that dream a reality this year as he assisted with the architecture and engineering work. “It was an honor to be involved in the design and construction of this project.,” said Taylor.

Taylor thanked many local contractors who made the alley possible. These businesses included Boren Builders, Runyon Electric, Wabash Electric, Par Kan and Open Air Nursery. The many donors who contributed to the project were also thanked.

Justin Taylor, left center, and Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer cut the ribbon during the ribbon cutting.