Building on the work of the Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association, the city of Dallas and Team Better Block led a planning and design process to permanently close an unneeded section of West 7th Street from West Davis to Montclair in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, TX.

The Community began by highlighting potential changes to the area that would make the landscape more appealing for residents and defining elements to remain.

Andrew Howard, AICP led a group to the site to create chalk outlines of amenities that could be incorporated within the existing space. Ultimately, the community decided that the focus of the plaza should be:

• Neighborhood centric
• A trail head or pause park
• Inviting to young families
• Inviting to pet owners
• Mindful of noise conflicts with immediate area residents
• Well shaded

After two community meetings were held, we worked with residents and children from the local elementary school to help illustrate several of the concepts discussed in the meetings.

A plan was developed, based partially on Portland’s successful Intersection Repair project and New York City’s Streets to Plazas initiatives, that incorporated traditional plaza amenities like chairs and tables with repainted concrete surfaces.

A Mondrian inspired theme was used because it was easily understood bu Rosemont Elementary students who would paint most of the project. Local area artists Nicole Horn and Rosemont Elementary Art Teacher Stacy Cianciulli set to work creating a series of renderings based on previous concepts outlined in community meetings. Painting would represent elements such as shade trees, water feature, historical identifier (Texas flag), kids play area, and a bicycle. for clarification the Mondrian style was used because grade school students are familiar with it. It will not be used as the final design style.

Using locally sourced materials, the neighborhood set to work building benches from reclaimed pallets, and tables from reclaimed electrical spools.

Children from Rosemont Elementary school came out on Saturday morning and began filling in the street art.

And to top things off, a Mondrian inspired tire swing was added to the mix.

Over forty nearby residents worked on this project together. Many of them had not attended previous public meetings. This was a great step toward community understanding ownership of the project. Next steps for this project are to complete the construction drawings of agreed upon elements for a permanent plaza. Those will be available in August. Check out the video below of the day for more on the Rosemont Better Plaza project.

A better block is hard to describe in words. It is best when experienced and felt, but if you have not made it out to a better block, check out the videos, stories and pictures below from a recent project in Norfolk, VA.

This is one of the top five better blocks ever completed. The community embraced the idea and demonstrated the power of action. I love the following video because it concentrates on the people of better block Norfolk. The characters and passions translated into a unique experience and expression of the city. People are attracted to authenticity and that is why better blocks get large crowds without advertising or gimmicks.

What is left after the better block is a community of doers. They now have new tools to tackle issues in the city and their own neighborhood. Check out what this amazing community did!

More videos:

Norfolk TV 

757 Living

WAVY 

Virginia Pilot Coverage 

Perspective of a pop-up shop

Perspective of a professional in civic engagement

Perspective from an attendee 

Beautiful Pictures

Paul Costen

Kelsie McNair

This has been the year that we’ve seen the Better Block go international with efforts beginning in Australia, Canada, and now Iran! Ali Tayebi was a student in Arlington, Texas and wrote a portion of his dissertation on the Better Block project. After returning to his hometown of Tehran, he began developing a group called “Bahamestan” which translates to “communihood”. You can check out that group’s facebook page here (mostly in Persian).

Their Better Block project is dubbed Kucheye Behtar (Better Alley). The facebook event is located here, with the project taking place on February 28th. We look forward to seeing more of these projects take place all over the world!

Denver is once again working on a Better Block project, but this time in the 5 points area at Welton Street. Check out complete details on their facebook page here.

Both Norfolk, and Saint Paul have Better Blocks planned for spring and summer respectively. Each city will be working directly with Team Better Block out of Dallas to help pull these projects together. Norfolk’s will take place on North Granby Street, while Saint Paul’s will focus on East 7th. The schedules are being set for both now, but you can learn more and sign up for either below:

Norfolk Better Block

Saint Paul Better Block

Government Street in Baton Rouge will be transformed with lane reductions and an upgraded streetscape as part of a Better Block project planned for April 13th and 14th. Check out full details on the project here.

Check out this post from Our Chattanooga to learn more details on a Better Block project planned for Glass Street on February 23rd.

A ton of great activities and pop-up shops are planned for the block. Also, a volunteer form is available to take part.

Grand Rapids, Michigan, is launching its first Better Block project which is being led by Tyler Doornbos, Lynee Wells and Josh Leffingwell. The effort will take place on May 18-19th and will feature a revitalized street, pop-up shops, and more.

For more information, check out the story in the Grand Rapids Press here. We’ll post more details as they become available.

The final better block of 2012 and 3rd in San Antonio, TX occurred this past weekend (Dec. 8th). The City of San Antonio’s City Center Development Office contracted Team Better Block of Dallas alongside the Project for Public Spaces in New York City, which worked together to develop a site plan that narrowed a segment of West Commerce Street from 4 lanes to 3 lanes in order to create a more inviting pedestrian experience. In Full Bloom Creative out of San Antonio transformed a parking lot into a plaza with an outdoor market, street furniture, and landscaping. The goal for the project was to bring to life the West Commerce Street road diet recommendations from the recently completed Downtown Transportation Study and show how the “West Commerce District” could host greater retail outlets as proposed in a recent Study.

 The plan was to take West Commerce, a major east-west one-way arterial in Downtown from 4 lanes to 3 lanes with an expanded pedestrian area, better bus stops, cafes, landscaping and a market. Do all of this in a period of three hours of set-up using temporary materials, gauge the reaction, capture data and take down before the sun sets. With a handful of dedicated volunteers we set out.

Speed before 25MPH

Speed after averaged 20 MPH. The experiment worked! The addition of landscaping, on-street parking and wider sidewalks reduced speeds to a safe range. Studies indicate that every MPH under 20 MPH significantly reduces the frequency and severity of traffic accidents. A safer environment for pedestrians and cars means greater viability for retail and cafes.

Street furniture built from reclaimed wood

Click here to view the San Antonio Express write-up on the project including a photo essay. Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers that made this project a success. San Antonio is truly lucky to have so many people that care of love for their city. This is the last project of the year for Team Better Block. Next year, they’ll be  Australia, France, and Canada demonstrating street improvements to international audiences. Next stops in the U. S. are St Paul, MN and Norfolk, VA. Check back soon for more details.

On December 8th, from 10AM to 3PM, the city of San Antonio will hold their third Better Block project at the historic Plaza de Armas. Head out to experience a revitalized street complete with live music, pop-up vendors, food, dance and more.

Fun!
- 10AM Running/Walking Tour of Downtown Historic Sites (Starting from The Vistana)
- 10AM – 1PM Live music by Sarah Centeno and band (Spanish Governor’s Palace, Side Courtyard)
- 11AM-11:45AM Lululemon sponsored Yoga Class by Kristal Cuevas (Inside The Vistana)
- 1PM-2PM Tango Class by Rincon del Tango (Inside the Vistana)
- 1PM – 3PM Live music Josh Klaus (Governor’s Palace)

Food!
- 10 AM to 3 PM Partridge in a  Pie Tree serving Breakfast and Delizia Empanadas (Spanish Governor’s Palace, Side Courtyard)
- 10 AM to 1 PM Say-She-Ate food truck with bistro tables (Corner of Laredo and Commerce)
- 10 AM to 3 PM Pop–up Coffee Shop and Bakery, by Revolucion Coffee and Bistro Bakery, with bistro tables outside. (northern side of W. Commerce across from Continental Bldg, same side of street as Penner’s)

The Arts!
- Pop-up display windows by Brandon of www.gambrellrenard.com (Building located at corner of West Commerce and Flores)
- Art & Jewelry Retail and Artists at work with a live painting event by Joshua Perez (who will raffle off painting at the end) (Along the Continental Hotel Building – San Antonio Metro Health Department Building)

Shop!
- Holiday Market (Plaza de Armas Parking lot)
- Great Retail at Penner’s and Marti’s, Dollar General, and Goodwill

Bring the Pets!
- Blessing of the Animals at noon and pick up your Yelp! Doggy Bandana (Market Square)
- Lucy’s Doggy daycare and Spa will be providing free nail trims, and coupons (Plaza de Armas parking lot)

Getting Around!
- Bike Valet and BCycle (Plaza de Armas parking lot)
- Wider sidewalks and On-street parking (North Side, Across from Continental Building)
- Parked VIA Primo Bus (W. Commerce, West of Flores)

Let your voice be heard!
- Project for Public Spaces Survey (Plaza de Armas and corner of W. Commerce and Santa
Rosa)
- San Antonio River Authority and Kell-Munoz discussion on the San Pedro Creek Restoration Project (At San Pedro Creek)
- Yelp! Will have a table handing out bags and allowing you to vote for favorite vendor. (Plaza de Armas Parking lot)

Volunteer Opportunities:

There are a few main shifts. For set up or break down,  please meet Andrew Howard of Team Better Block in front of the store called Penner’s at 311 West Commerce Street San Antonio 78205 at 6 am, 7 am or 2:30 pm.. He will direct you where you need to go and what you will be doing. Please be sure to wear close toed shoes and bring a pair of gloves. If you need to reach someone on the day of Better Block please call Andrew Howard at  (214) 235-7886or Colleen Swain at  (210) 287-5865. We still need at least 2 more volunteers to assist Andrew at 6 am We also need two more volunteers during the event itself to assist with the Project for Public Spaces (between 10 am and 3 pm).

For further questions on shift opportunities, please email Teal Thompson with your preferred time at: teal@infullbloomcreative.com. And for those 2 more early risers who would be willing to help Andrew at 6 am, please email Teal as well.

Early Morning Volunteer Shift: 6 am to 10 am(We need at least 3 volunteers willing to help Andrew from 6 to 7 am and would love to have you on through 10 am if you’re available)

Morning Volunteer Shift: 7 am to 10 am (we may cut you a little earlier, but let’s say 10 am end time for now)

Afternoon Volunteer Shift: 2:30  to 4:30 pm