Alleys - so much more than places for trash and cars

I've written before about how we can take better advantage of our pavement space (http://newurbanismblog.com/manage-pavement-space-fun/) , and how even our alleys and lanes can become fun and interesting places. A recent blog post from Sightline Daily does an excellent job of detailing this phenomenon in the Pacific Northwest. All of our cities have numerous opportunities for exciting transformations like this, especially in our historic neighborhoods. For so many years, we've neglected these spaces, or thought of them as relics of a previous era.  The Sightline post shows how we can change our thinking, and look at these as key elements of public space. Enjoy: http://daily.sightline.org/2011/08/26/alley-alley-in-come-free-2/