BETTER BLOCK
RAPID URBAN REVITALIZATION PROJECTS
WHAT IS A BETTER BLOCK?
A living charrette where communities can actively engage in the
“complete streets” build out process to show the potential for revitalized
economic activity in an area.
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WHAT IS A BETTER BLOCK?
after
before
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
San Antonio’s first Better Block Project, held in coordination with the City of San Antonio’s Complete Streets
Initiative and Metro Health’s SiClovia, transformed a vacant building, overly wide streets, and empty park into a
thriving, active neighborhood destination.
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WHAT IS A BETTER BLOCK?
after
before
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Over time, formerly pedestrian-oriented South Main was widened into a huge, barren four-lane road with fast
traffic and very little people space. Better Block reoriented the street and demonstrated to other urban areas of
the city how to make a “complete street.”
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WHAT IS A BETTER BLOCK?
after
before
after
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
With a budget of under $500 to perform the guerilla complete streets makeover, bike lanes, cafe seating,
landscaping, and pedestrian crossings were installed to spotlight the potential of an existing block that was built
with little accommodations for people.
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WHAT IS A BETTER BLOCK?
after
before
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
A bleak warehouse-lined block in the FAT Arts District of downtown Fort Lauderdale was transformed into a
walkable destination during Build A Better Block.The up and coming artist community, normally lined with barbed
wire and industrial warehouses, was converted into a lively community hub complete with art, music, and vendors.
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WHY BETTER BLOCK?
•
PRODUCES CONCRETE RESULTS instead of showing an abstract sketch
•
MAKES CITY/STATE STAFF/LEADERS’ JOBS EASIER with the temporary
testing of ideas
•
CREATES OWNERSHIP (and champions) in residents and business owners
•
SHOWS DOCUMENTATION that disarms naysayers
•
PROMOTES INNOVATION by testing the most innovative best practices on
•
PUSHES BOUNDARIES without the financial commitment
the ground
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AN EXPANDING MOVEMENT
Gulf Coast Better Block Projects
USA Better Block Projects
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BETTER BLOCK OUTCOMES
DALLAS, TEXAS The city dedicated $1 million to improve bicycle infrastructure,
create a pedestrian plaza and incorporate traffic calming elements. The second
Better Block resulted in a $500,000 investment from the city.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS The city installed permanent bike lanes. Now called South
Main Urban Village, this stretch of road is home to many new businesses.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE Business in the area tripled, restaurants extended their hours
to keep up with new demand, and real estate in the area has noticeably increased.
People are returning more regularly and a museum is looking to relocate to the area.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI A pop-up retail shop opened as a permanent retail
establishment in downtown Kansas City.
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HOW TO BUILD A BETTER BLOCK
1. Pick your spot
2. Assemble a team
3. Work with local resources
4. Connect with something larger
5. Use empty storefronts
6. Give people a reason to stay
7. Pop up!
8. Invite artists
9. Obtain a permit
10. Invite local VIP’s
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BETTER BLOCK BATON ROUGE
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BETTER BLOCK BATON ROUGE
GOALS:
-
To find a unified vision among Baton Rouge’s stakeholders and
potential investors for Government Street
To demonstrate the impact of an innovative traffic solution and improved public
and retail spaces on economic and community development
PARTNERS:
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
All public and private schools, local neighborhood associations, area residents, businesses,
artists… and YOU!
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BETTER BLOCK BATON ROUGE
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BETTER BLOCK BATON ROUGE
Existing Site Conditions
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BETTER BLOCK BATON ROUGE
Site Improvement Plan
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BETTER BLOCK BATON ROUGE
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5
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Proposed Infrastructure Improvements
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BETTER BLOCK BATON ROUGE
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Proposed Human Element Improvements
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BETTER BLOCK BATON ROUGE
Process
Public/Private
Space Survey
•Kickoff meeting
•PPS survey
•Preliminary list of
stakeholders
•Site selection
•Gather existing
plans
Engage
Community
Build Team
Street/Traffic
Control Build
Plan
•Stakeholder
presentation
•CBT walk-through
•Volunteer
assignments
•Facilitate CBT
meetings
•Street sections
•Street survey and
design
•Draft traffic control
plan
•Materials and
vendor list
•Presentation of
temporary facilities
Implementation
Requirements
•Revised street
design
•Revised traffic
control plan
•Finalize materials
to purchase or get
from partners
•Gather materials
Identity Package
•Social media
•Marketing print
material
•Event program
•Video
Community
Outreach
Better Block
Weekend
•Community
outreach plan
•Conduct outreach
•Checklist
•Coordinate
agencies
•Coordinate
volunteers
•Mobilization and
installation
•Supplies
•On-site
management
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Wrap-Up
•Metrics list
•Interview summary
•Summary memo
•Next steps report
•Photo log
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Better Block Baton Rouge – March/April 2013
STAY UPDATED
Follow Better Block Baton Rouge online for updates and
a calendar of volunteer events leading up to the launch!
CONTACT
Camille Manning-Broome camille@cpex.org
Tara Titone ttitone@cpex.org
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