Historical February–March 2014 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In 2014, the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council will be bringing a lot of people together to re-imagine part of our beloved neighborhood for a unique largescale street event called The Better Block Project.
The Better Block Project was started in Dallas, Texas by Jason Roberts and Andrew Howard in 2010. Frustrated by a lack of vibrant streets in Roberts’ neighborhood, Oak Cliff, they took matters into their own hands and helped create a low-cost, temporary, demonstration of what a walkable, active block could look like. Neighbors, artists, business owners and other people who cared about the community came together to participate in creating ideas and implementing the Better Block. Temporary sidewalk cafes, art galleries, shops, bike lanes, landscaping and more “popped-up” and operated for a one-day festival that included food and live music.
The community came out to have fun, experience the transformed block, and provide feedback on what they wanted to have there on a more permanent basis.
According to BetterBlock.org, “Better Blocks are now being performed around the world and have helped cities rapidly implement infrastructure and policy changes.” Along with Skinker DeBaliviere, three other neighborhoods in St. Louis City will create their own Better Block this year: Hamilton Heights, Dutchtown South, and Tower Grove.
Here in our neighborhood we will use the Better Block to build on our recent Urban Design and Development Plan, also called the Master Plan, which is scheduled for completion in the next few months. SDCC is undertaking many activities in 2014 to begin to promote the Plan’s implementation, and the Better Block will temporarily implement some of what the plan calls for in one section of the neighborhood – with the goal of creating lasting change.
A Better Block can be transformative for a neighborhood, and it takes a lot of people and their creativity to make it great. SDCC is putting a call out for area artists, crafters, Do-It-Yourselfers, community activists, musicians, photographers, videographers, designers, gardeners, business owners, or anyone else who cares about the community and may be interested in participating.
An open kick-off visioning/brainstorming session will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 10am the SDCC Office, 6008 KingsburyAve. (RSVPs are nice, but not required.) More information about the project, including a TEDx talk by Jason Roberts, is available on theSDCC website http://www. skinker-debaliviere.com/ or by contacting the office at sdcc@ skinker-debaliviere.com or (314) 862-5122.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2014.
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Original source: SD_Times2014_02.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
