Gracious Acts of Service Span Three Generations
By now, you’ve likely heard about the Better Block event that takes place next weekend in the North Hill neighborhood of Akron, but this program is much more than the sum of its parts. Better Block’s an exercise in civil disobedience and imagination. It’s also a look ahead at what a neighborhood could be. And while it’s happening in North Hill this time, it could happen in your neighborhood, too.
On May 15 through 17, the “Temple Square” block in North Hill (the intersection of Cuyahoga Falls Avenue and North Main Street) will be adorned with temporary landscaping, bicycle lanes and popup businesses in currently empty storefronts, along with live music, art, an open air market and a number of other attractions.
Posted in Community, Neighborhoods, Uncategorized
Tagged Akron, Akron Neighborhoods, Akron News, akron nonprofits, Akronist, Better Block, International Institute of Akron, Jason Roberts, Jason Segedy, Knight Foundation, Kyle Kutuchief, maria mancinelli, Neighborhoods, nonprofits, North Hill, Places, Team Better Block, Urban Planning
Have you heard the term Better Block? It’s spreading fast here in Akron these days. Google “Better Block, Akron Ohio” and you’ll see nine different references.
The Better Block is a community development demonstration tool that uses grassroots efforts to show residents the potential to create a walkable, bikeable, lively, neighborhood center. The project helps residents envision “what could be,” with temporary “pop-up” businesses, bicycle lanes and pedestrian friendly design. Better Blocks are being performed in cities around the world, and have helped communities rapidly implement neighborhood improvements that can become permanent.
The Knight Foundation and Team Better Block have begun laying the groundwork for their first collaboration with the city of Akron. The North Hill neighborhood has been selected for the city’s first Better Block, and residents, business owners, and city staff have partnered to prepare the Temple Square block (Cuyahoga Falls Avenue and Main Street) for this transformation.
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Posted in Community, Neighborhoods
Tagged Akron, Akronist, AMATS, “pop-up” businesses, Better Block, Bikeable, Cities, City Transformation, Collaboration, Community Development, Economic Activity in an area, Grassroots, Innovative, International Institute, Jason Roberts, Knight Foundation, Neighborhood Center, Neighborhood Improvements, nonprofits, North Hill, philanthropic community, private sector, public sector, Rebuild, Revitalized, Switching Gears, Team Better Block, Urban Vision, Visionary, Walkable