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Design board approves permanent Holiday Alley improvements at 196 Laurel Street
Summary
The Design Review Board approved a certificate of appropriateness for Holiday Alley at 196 Laurel Street to install an ADA-accessible permanent path, planted trees, LED strip lighting, and seasonal display pads; staff will seek a small easement from the adjacent property owner for one segment of the connection.
The Conway Design Review Board voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for improvements to Holiday Alley at 196 Laurel Street intended to make a popular seasonal display into a year-round, ADA-accessible pedestrian amenity.
Mary Catherine, presenting for staff, said the alley had "organically" become a local attraction with seasonal displays such as skeletons, artificial trees and a giant ornament. She said the proposed project would replace the temporary mulch path with a permanent, accessible paved path, plant permanent trees that can be lit seasonally, add LED strip lighting in the curbing that can change color for different holidays, and install removable seasonal display pads that allow benches during off seasons.
Consulting engineer Ryan Hayes noted the path would be ADA-accessible. Mary Catherine said the city owns the alley except for a narrow parcel owned by Burris and Chapin Company; staff has requested an easement from that owner to complete the full connection and will pause the connection if the easement is not secured.
Board members asked about maintenance for deciduous trees and coordination around events at the nearby Peanut Warehouse. Brandon Harrelson, the city's public works director, will be the project manager, and staff said they have coordinated timing with Peanut Warehouse to limit construction during peak wedding season.
A board member moved to approve the proposed Holiday Alley improvements. The board voted in favor (voice vote); there was no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript. Staff will return with construction-level details and permits as the project moves to implementation.
