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Alice Peil Stairway

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The Alice Peil Stairway is a popular shortcut from Granite Street to the Downtown Plaza. The stairway will be replaced in summer 2024.

HISTORY — The Alice Peil Stairway has served the citizens of Ashland as a shortcut from Granite Street to the Plaza since the mid-1930s. The Peil family first installed the stairway and adjoining walkway as a private means to quickly travel from their home at 52 Granite Street to their business on the Plaza.

After the Peils gifted the stairway and walkway to the City, they became public right-of-ways that are used frequently by local pedestrians today! Unfortunately, as everyone traveling on the stairs has probably realized, the current stairs have reached the end of their design life and need replacement.

*Alternate route from Granite St to the Plaza*

PLANNED REPLACEMENT DESIGN — When designing the new stairs some changes were made from the original stair layout to bring
the stairs into compliance with modern design codes (including broader stairs and updated handrails on both sides) and to
incorporate modern materials where beneficial, while maintaining the fundamental steel design and function. The new stairs will also utilize design elements of nearby public spaces.

SCHEDULE OF WORK — Bids for stairway replacement were accepted through mid-February and approval for the work will be sought from City Council in early March. Given the time needed to approve the contract and then proceed with the offsite fabrication work of the stairs, Public Works optimistically is targeting replacement of the stairs in early summer 2024, with an estimated time of 30 to 40 days during which the stairs will not be available to the public. The map illustrates an alternate route during the closure using stairs a short distance to the north, which also connects Granite Street to Ashland Creek and the Calle Guanajuato.

Please check this page regulary for project updates throughout the summer.

Update: April 9, 2024
The new Alice Peil Stairway is coming!

Shop fabrication of the stairs is expected to commence in mid April with site work starting in early May. As one of the first site activities will be to remove the existing stairway, the walkway will be closed from early May to early June. Please make use of the accessway near the intersection of High Street and Granite Street to access Calle Guanajuato and the Plaza while the stairs are out of service.

During construction, fencing will be installed around the parking area outside of the 51 Winburn Way Community Development Office. Access to the restroom and waste transfer facility (for Plaza businesses) will be maintained.

More updates to come.

Alice Peil Detour