UPDATE: This class has been rescheduled from the Spring of 2013, to the Fall. We will post updates “>here on the full schedule.
Ready to learn the ins and outs of developing a Better Block project? Join us in Dallas in November, 2013 while we help create a Better Block project in real time and instruct you on the details, obstacles, and best practices for rolling out a project in your own city.
Want to Learn How to Build a Better Block?
Team Better Block is now offering workshops where you may earn your own Better Block Certification
REGISTER HERE for the 4 day workshop from Wed March 13th – Saturday March 16th
What does Team Better Block do?
Team Better Block temporarily re-engineers and re-programs auto dominated, blighted, and underused urban areas into complete ones by working with cities, developers, and stakeholders to create quick, inexpensive, high-impact changes. Team Better Block uses pop-up shops to test the local economic development potential of streets re-engineered for walkability. Additionally, Team Better Block bolsters civic pride by enlisting the community in the build-out of the temporary installation.
Why are Team Better Block’s Temporary Rapid Revitalization Projects Important?
Although comprehensive planning projects are necessary for most property developments, the cost, scale and long-range timelines associated with these initiatives can often lead to a loss in project momentum and frustration or lack of confidence among area stakeholders and residents. In our projects we have seen improved acceptance by city engineers, planners, designers, and public safety officials of some of the most progressive measures in the urban street design toolbox. The Better Block approach has been used in over thirty cities from California to New York to illustrate rapid street changes and community revitalization. These cities have reported greater understanding and urgency by elected officials, leaders, and citizens for permanent change.
What will you learn in the Better Block workshop?
How will you earn the certificate?
What are the benefits of earning a certificate and becoming a Better Block certified member?
What are the costs, what is the availability and who is eligible?
800.00 per person
700.00 per person [group rate]
Because of the “hands on” approach there are only 15 available spaces for enrollment
All skill, training and professional levels can take the workshop and exam
For questions regarding the workshop email Andrew@teambetterblock.com
Visit www.betterblock.org for final workshop schedule, Team Better Block and instructor’s bios, past Better Block projects and updates
Better Block Certificate Workshop Tentative Schedule March 13th-16th Dallas, Texas
[All classes will be held at RE gallery + studio at 1717 Gould Street, Dallas, Texas]
Wednesday March 13
8-9 am Coffee and Personal Introductions
9-10 am The Better Block Approach – Andrew Howard and Jason Roberts
10-11am Readingson Place Making Discussion – Wanda Dye
11-12 am Marketing, Social Media and Community Organization – Jason Roberts
12- 1pm Lunch
1 – 2 pm Pop Ups Ideas and Implementation – Shannon Driscoll, Cayli Cusick
2- 3 pm Re-programming – Jason Roberts and Wanda Dye
3-4 pm City Permitting for Better Block Events – Andrew Howard
4-5 pm Overview of Better Block Project in Cedar Hill – Andrew Howard
Dinner on your own
Thursday March 14
9-12 pm Oak Cliff and Cedar Hill Site Visits Public and Private Space Survey
12- 1pm Lunch
1-2 pm Assign Teams and Tasks
2-5 pm Design and Planning Session
Dinner on your own
Friday March 15
9-12 pm Design and Build day
12-1 pm Lunch
1-5 pm Continue Build and Prepare Schedule for Mobilization
Dinner on your own
Saturday March 16
9-10 am Exam
10- 12 pm Mobilization and Installation in Cedar Hill
12 – 1 pm Lunch
1 – 5 pm Mobilization and Installation in Cedar Hill
5- `10 pm Better Block Event and Award of Certificates
Through the past two years, we’ve developed numerous pop-up stores for our Better Block projects and have learned several lessons along the way that we hope others can use in developing their own stores. These ideas actually work well in permanent shops also, but we’ve had quite a bit of experience in building temporary businesses. In some cases, we don’t have the room to apply all of the ideas, but incorporating as many as possible can help bring more foot traffic into the shop.
First of all, think of the store as a social experience that happens to include a retail and service component. People want an excuse to spend time around the things they love and people that share that same love. This is universal. Most retail stores don’t provide this opportunity, which leaves people feeling as if they’re not welcome to stay after they’ve finished browsing. We’ll use our local Oak Cliff Bicycle Company bike shop as an example to follow for creating a socially centered store (though this can easily be applied to floral shops, craft stores, cafes and more).
So when building a shop, break up the store into four sections: an outdoor/invitational area, a retail area, a service area, and a sitting area that allows easy conversation and observation of the service area.
The Outdoor/Invitational area
The first area we’ve found is key to develop is the front door/window space. Any ability to create interplay between the sidewalk and the entrance helps create a welcoming environment. Open doors with merchandise spilling out onto the sidewalk, including sandwich boards with information and exciting windows, helps invite people into the space.
The Retail Area
The retail area should have regular mid and high price items, but be sure to include a large $30/under area for people to have items that they feel comfortable buying without shelling out a large amount for. In the world of live music, this is what we call the “merch” table. It should be filled with t-shirts, stickers, magazines, posters, tubes, accessories, and more. It’s a great idea to put your brand and local area on as many items as possible, because people love to show pride in their neighborhood and promote their community businesses. Plus, these items act as your marketing.
The Service Area
In the bike shop example, the service area is probably located at the back of the store, but should have a component that allows people to view the work taking place, and even to help out if at all possible. Cyclists not only love to be around bicycles, but they love watching them get built, repaired, and modified. This is no different for sewing shops, florists, et cetera. We see this commonly at Sushi bars, or cafes that allow people to be in close proximity to the brewing process. Also, people love to “talk shop”, and learn about the process. This is the area that really sets the small business apart from the nameless/faceless box store.
The Social Area
The last component is the place for people to linger and feel like they’re welcome to watch and talk. For the bike shop, it’s a bar overlooking the service desk, but it could also be a sofa with a coffee table filled with bike magazines, and a wall with a notice of events board. Another thing to note is that people want to help take part in working on the things they love, so if there’s an opportunity to have interaction with the service area, allow and encourage this to occur. It helps the shop owner, and it creates a closer connection with the community. Offering drinks, or snacks helps people feel like they’re sitting around a kitchen table and part of a family. This is not only good for the person visiting the store, but also the proprietor who wants to feel like they’re in an environment that feels like home.
Lastly, it’s good to try and promote events in the space, or activities in the community that promote your industry. Setup a time slot for basic bike repair classes, or host a small bike rodeo, movie, or race in the street. We’ve even brought people in to make crepes or screen shirts in the space.
One thing to note for permanent businesses is that this “social store” makes people feel more connected and loyal to the shop. This is key when you’re having to compete with large stores who can always win on price. If you’re faced with a large space that is too hard to fill, partition off the area so that you only use as much store as you need. Also, combine your shop with others to help create overlap and ease the administration. We often pair up people like furniture makers, t-shirt printers, a crafters to bring more resources into a single area. Since this is temporary, keep costs low by building as much by hand as possible. This will also makes the store feel more authentic and home grown. Merchandise can be used, or small…again, the idea is to create a social experience that encourages people to linger. Music also helps create a more comfortable environment. Social media is key to helping spread the word and giving people a regular communication resource to the shop.
Good luck!
INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW
What does Team Better Block do?
Team Better Block temporarily re-engineers and re-programs auto dominated, blighted, and underused urban areas into complete ones by working with cities, developers, and stakeholders to create quick, inexpensive, high-impact changes. Team Better Block uses pop-up shops to test the local economic development potential of streets re-engineered for walkability. Additionally, Team Better Block bolsters civic pride by enlisting the community in the build-out of the temporary installation.
Why are Team Better Block’s Temporary Rapid Revitalization Projects Important?
Although comprehensive planning projects are necessary for most property developments, the cost, scale and long-range timelines associated with these initiatives can often lead to a loss in project momentum and frustration or lack of confidence among area stakeholders and residents. In our projects we have seen improved acceptance by city engineers, planners, designers, and public safety officials of some of the most progressive measures in the urban street design toolbox. The Better Block approach has been used in over thirty cities from California to New York to illustrate rapid street changes and community revitalization. These cities have reported greater understanding and urgency by elected officials, leaders, and citizens for permanent change.
What will you learn in the Better Block workshop?
Introduction to Team Better Block approach
How to re-engineer and re-program streets, sidewalks, properties, and spaces for safety, shared amenities, and
Staying power
How to rally stakeholders, community, and civic participation
How to promote the demonstration through marketing, “shared” events, and social media
How to file for proper permitting for the demonstration
How to create teams and designate tasks efficiently and effectively
How to survey public and private spaces of blighted or auto-centric blocks through “on site” visits
How to design, build, and install temporary re-engineering and re-programming elements safely, economically, and efficiently through “hands on” demonstrations
How to measure through a set of metrics and reports the successes and failures of the demonstration
How to continue future efforts and take next steps for permanent change
Value
Keynote Speaker $3000, plus travel expenses. One hour speaking on the history and future of the better block.
Half-day Workshop $6,500, plus travel expenses. Program includes one hour introduction, one hour of improve building, one hour of how to build a better block, one hour of resource and talent identification. Attendees leave with one small action to make a better city and a database of people and resources to build their own better block.
Full-day Workshop $9,000, plus travel expenses Program includes all elements from half-day, a walk about of a potential area and identification of better block elements. Three one hour of interactive design sessions for placemaking, programming and street design. Attendees leave with all the half-day items and a design document for their own better block.
Three-day Workshop $25,000, plus travel expenses Program includes all elements of half-day plus two days of building a better block. Attendees leave with the experience of building their own better block. measures of effectiveness and a guidebook to making the better block permanent.
