Earth-friendly Detroit alley a greening experiment

Locals look to transform a Midtown alley from “ghetto” to green.Excerpt:A coalition of business people, community groups, WSU and DTE Energy is working to transform a block of this east/west alley between Canfield and Prentis streets into a welcoming, earth-friendly patch of permeable asphalt that recycles water and nurtures native plants. Pedestrians and bicyclists could use it as a pathway, and all of it will be bathed in light from energy efficient street lamps.”We hope it’s a success and a model for many alleys in Detroit. A lot of them are in bad shape,” said Susan Mosey, president of the University Cultural Center Association, the non-profit Midtown group helping to raise $50,000 for the project. The group already hopes to turn a second Midtown alley “green” later this year.Transforming an alley from ghetto to green is a test of whether Detroit can act in progressive and environmentally friendly ways, organizers admit. Read the entire article here.