A part of town in Woodland, Calif., known as Dead Cat Alley, continued its makeover this week as three new decorative ceramic cats were placed atop buildings in the area.
On Thursday, July 27, the Sears building roof was adorned with an angel-winged cat; the Woodland Sewing and Vacuum Center received a tiger that appears as if it is about to leap off the edge of the building; and a cat with a top hat was installed on an antique mall's roof.
Thursdays feline additions bring the total to 10 sculptures installed as part of Woodland Art Centers Dead Cat Alley Nine Lives Project.
The project is part of a revitalization of the historical district that includes murals, a turn-of-the-century clock and Chinese tea and sculpture gardens.
The nonprofit center spearheaded the cat project to energize Dead Cat Alley. Three more cats will be made, but their completion date is uncertain. The first installation was completed in April 2005, according to Gary Dinnen, who makes and installs the ceramic cats.
The Dead Cat Alley area is said to have received its name because of the cats that would eat poisoned rats along a corridor. A block grant and charitable donations fund this renovation project.
Posted: July 29, 2006, 5 a.m. EST