16th Street Alley Lighting Project

About the Project

In November 2025, ODIDA upgraded lighting in the alley between 15th and 16th Streets. This location had ongoing public-safety and nuisance concerns after dark. The goal was clear. Improve end-to-end visibility, increase comfort for people who live and work nearby, and reduce conditions that allow unwanted behavior to take hold.

Working with property owners and lighting pros, the team installed six LED fixtures with individual photocells for automatic dusk-to-dawn operation. Together they draw 312 watts. Optics and aiming focus light on walking surfaces and building interfaces rather than the street, delivering even coverage with fewer fixtures. The photocells keep lights on at night and off in daylight, including during dark storm events, without manual checks.

Why lighting matters

Well-placed exterior lighting increases visibility and natural surveillance. That can deter crime and reduce disorder. Design quality matters too. Shielded, “light-where-you-need-it” fixtures reduce glare and light spill, improving what people can see while limiting light pollution for neighbors and the night sky. Efficient LEDs paired with simple controls add reliability and lower operating costs over time.

Safety enhancements you’ll notice

Approaches at both ends of the alley are brighter. Light is targeted to doors, loading areas, and refuse zones, while spill into the street is minimized. People can better see who and what is around them. That improves confidence, encourages appropriate use, and supports nearby businesses into the evening.