Conway, Arkansas – Work is about to begin on a long-awaited transformation in downtown Conway, as city leaders move forward with the Downtown Conway Alleyway Project, a plan that has been discussed in some form for more than two decades. What once served mostly as parking space and storage areas is now set to become a more open, walkable public space designed for everyday use and community events.
Right now, the alleyways near Oak Court, Main Street, and Chestnut Street have a very different look and function than what planners originally envisioned. Instead of inviting walkways or gathering spots, much of the space has been taken over by parked cars and stored items. That image is exactly what the city hopes to change starting next week, when construction crews officially begin the renovation work.
“Currently being used for parking and for storage of stuff,” Bobby Kelly, Communications Coordinator for the city of Conway, said.
The Court Street Alleyway Improvement Project carries a price tag of about $1.7 million and is designed to reshape the heart of downtown into something more welcoming and people-focused. City officials say the goal is not just to improve appearance, but to completely shift how residents and visitors use the space.
Planned upgrades include new lighting, landscaping, seating areas, and public art installations. The idea is to turn what is now a mostly overlooked section of downtown into a place where people actually want to stop, walk around, and spend time. The changes are meant to make the alleyways feel less like back-end infrastructure and more like part of the city’s public identity.
“There will be lighting, landscaping, places to sit, and public art. It’ll be an aesthetically pleasing place to be,” Kelly said.
But the project is not only about what people will see above ground. A significant portion of the investment—more than $750,000—is going underground to improve drainage systems. City officials say this is a key step in addressing long-standing flooding issues in the downtown area, which have affected both businesses and public spaces over time.
Even with the redesign, some parking will remain, but the space is expected to function in a very different way than it does today. Instead of being used only for vehicles or storage, the alleyways will also be opened up for public gatherings, small events, and casual outdoor use. Planners describe it as a mix of practical infrastructure and flexible community space.
“It will help drive different events. The public can access is for fundraiser events, all types of activities for the community,” Kim Williams, Executive Director for Downtown Conway Partnership, said.
Local leaders believe the project could also change how people view downtown Conway overall. By making the area more inviting, they hope to encourage more foot traffic, more social activity, and a stronger connection between local businesses and the public.
“It’s certainly going to open up this piece of Conway for the folks to come to exist and be if they want to shop here or just hang out,” Kelly said.
The project has been in planning since 2002, making it one of the more long-standing redevelopment efforts in the city. Now that construction is finally set to begin, officials are aiming for completion by late 2026 or early 2027, depending on how the work progresses.
