2015 akron better block

2015 TEMPLE SQUARE FINAL REPORT

AKRONBETTER BLOCK

Copyright 2015 Team Better Blockwww.teambetterblock.com

For a list of any errors or omissions found subsequent to printing please see the website.

All rights are reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Team Better Block.

AKRONBETTER BLOCK

In the spring of 2015, Team Better Block partnered with The Knight Foundation and over a dozen community leaders and organizations for the inaugural Akron Better Block. The project built on North Hills unique identity to enliven the neighborhood and acted as a training session for residents to learn Better Blocks rapid revitalization techniques. This report is a review of the Better Block project as well as a guide for community members looking to put on similar projects in their towns.

AKRON BETTER BLOCK | 2

Akron, Ohios fi rst Better Block project would not have been possible without plenty of help from the community. With funding from the Knight Foundation and leadership from local advocates Tina and John Ughrin, an army of volunteers and sponsors were gathered to create an economically viable, pedestrian-friendly block in North Hill.

Special thanks to:

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Tina & John Ughrin, Smile Minded Smartworks

AMATS

International Institute

ECDI

Keep Akron Beautiful

Countryside Conservancy

427 Design

Akron-Summit Public Library

Highland Square Neighborhood Association

The Offi ce Bistro

Peoples Bank

Acknowledgements


Table of ContentsAcknowledgements

Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................................

The Backstory...............................................................................................................................................................................

Why Better Block?.......................................................................................................................................................................

The Project....................................................................................................................................................................................

Community Buildout..................................................................................................................................................................

Final Concept Plan......................................................................................................................................................................

The Final Product.......................................................................................................................................................................

Green Bike Lanes..........................................................................................................................................................

The Pop-Up Shops.......................................................................................................................................................

The East Plaza...............................................................................................................................................................

The West Plaza..............................................................................................................................................................

Activity Square.............................................................................................................................................................

The Beer Garden...........................................................................................................................................................

A Recipe for Success..................................................................................................................................................................

The Results...................................................................................................................................................................................

Going Forward.............................................................................................................................................................................

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p. 120-121


IntroductionThe Better Block process takes a bottom-up approach to planning, allowing the community direct involvement with rapid build-out and construction of revitalization projects. The Better Block replaces the traditional public meeting with a living charrette that is built by the community to represent the future condition of a place. Instead of consultant-generated renderings, the community builds installations of public spaces and retrofitted streets. Worst-case scenario assumptions of development scenarios are replaced with pop-up shops crafted by budding entrepreneurs. Additionally, long-term planning is aided by the Better Block process, as public space improvements, street modifications and zoning changes are tested and proven before put in place.


Akron, Ohios irst Better Block project was completed the weekend of May 15th-17th, 2015, and showed how the community could come together to transform a blighted block into a vibrant neighborhood destination. By introducing buffered bike lanes, enhancing pedestrian infrastructure, creating two public plazas and a series of pop-up businesses, Better Block proved that a street that once existed only for cars could be scaled down to make way for bikes, people, and festivities.

N Main Street, before the Better Block project


The Backstory

THE STREETS

Wide streets ward off cyclists and pedestrians and welcome high-speed traffic into residential and commercial corridors.

N Main Street was once a part of an old trolley line. Where the trolley served to pinch the street, slow down traffic, and move pedestrians through the neighborhood, it has now been paved over to allow for expanded lanes and narrowed sidewalks.

The space previously occupied by the trolley line has now been designated for cars, increasing motor vehicle traffic speeds and averting pedestrian and bicycle flow.This shift made the intersection at the corner of N Main Street and E Cuyahoga Falls Ave. extremely

wide and difficult to maneuver. Allowing cars to move quickly through the neighborhood seemed to be the only priority when the street was designed, leaving pedestrians and bikes to fend for themselves.

To create a pedestrian-friendly district, crews would need to narrow traffic lanes and replace it with public space.

Image source: Vintage Main Street, Akron postcard, Google Images

Supported by the Knight Foundation and initiated by neighborhood leaders Tina and John Ughrin, Better Block was called in to Akron, OH to address three major issues on N Main Street: a wide roadway, vacant storefronts, and dead space between buildings (or gaps in the street) that discourage multi-modal activity.


THE BUILDINGS

Many buildings in North Hill have suffered from lack of investment and decreased community interest, leaving them vacant and in disrepair.

Vacant buildings increase opportunities for break-ins, vagrancy, and other property crimes. Coupled with a minimal amount of pedestrian traffic, the area left visitors feeling exposed and vulnerable.

Of the 92 area residents surveyed by Smile Minded Smartworks, LLC prior to the Better Block project, safety was the number one issue holding them back from visiting the block, and vacancies were the fourth concern.

As one community member said, This is not a block Id feel particularly comfortable at at night. The lighting is poor, or at least not inviting.

However, Smile Minded Smartworks found that the North Hill area does not have higher crime statistics than other, supposedly safer neighborhoods in Akron. Its reputation, whether founded or unfounded, inhibited pedestrian activity and needed to be altered in order to revitalize the street.


THE OUTDOOR LIFE

While the street is home to a number of charming historic buildings, many are vacant, neglected, and are beginning to be torn down. The razed buildings leave behind unkempt empty lots that discourage pedestrian activity and make it difficult for small businesses in the area to prosper.

In addition, lack of outdoor seating for the avenues cafes and restaurants gave the impression of emptiness on the street. Without seeing pedestrians and patrons on the sidewalk, visitors to the street are likely to bypass these businesses and frequent more lively areas.

Currently, the block is too accommodating toward car parking. Two of the major byproducts of a successful block are difficult parking and traffic congestion; on N Main Street, there is an abundance of parking and traffic flows freely. If cities and neighborhoods first focus their energy on creating a great place, people will find a way to get there and a way to park, instead of vice versa.


Akron Better Block took place in the North Hill neighborhood on N Main Street, a wide, intimidating four-lane thoroughfare that was created to quickly move cars from Downtown to the suburbs. The expansion of Main Street was a solution too often used in cities around the U.S. to relieve congestion by increasing vehicle capacity on roads.. Instead, the added lanes left the road under-trafficked, allowing cars to blitz through the neighborhood at high speeds.

North Hill Neighborhood, Akron

Why Better Block?


As a result, businesses have suffered and pedestrians fear being on foot. With support from the Knight Foundation and with the help of a dedicated group of Akron community leaders, Better Block worked to reduce the scale of the street to allow for human activity, and encouraged local entrepreneurs to test out their business ideas in the vacant storefronts for the weekend. The Akron Better Block team illed the gaps made by parking lots and demolished buildings by creating pedestrian plazas and ields for sports, yoga, and ping pong. For one weekend at least, N Main Street realized its potential as a thriving, economically viable block.

Jason Roberts painting a crosswalk in Dallas, TX


The ProjectAfter months of planning, the Akron team hit the ground running to transform the block in under a week. Through community partnerships with Tina and John Ughrin, International Institute, Keep Akron Beautiful, Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study, Countryside Conservancy, 427 Design, ECDI, and countless others, we introduced five major improvements to the block: buffered bike lanes, two pedestrian plazas, an activity field, an open air market, and six pop-up businesses.

KICKOFF MEETINGThe project kickoff occurred in the winter of 2014 after a location scout document was created by the AMATS team based on parameters set by Team Better Blocks public and private space survey form. Ten potential blocks were chosen based on their layout, proximity to engaged neighborhoods, roadway adaptability and property owner access. The initial survey team toured each location grading them on highest possible success for a future Better Block. After analyzing the sites, Team Better Block honed in on the North Hill neighborhood and the Temple Square block, a former streetcar stop that had a small cluster of historic buildings, and an influx of immigrants and local residents who would be instrumental in collaborating efforts for a final project.


CONCEPTUAL PLANNING

A community-led walk of the Temple Square block took place in January of 2015, and was followed by a resident conversation at the North Hill library discussing opportunities for pop-up businesses, inill development, and street modiications. There were 92 respondents, though each respondent may hit on multiple themes. Of the factors that prevented residents from visiting the block, safety and lack of interesting businesses topped the list.

The survey, conducted by Smile Minded Smartworks, LLC, showed that restaurants would be the main amenity that would attract more people to the block, followed by places to shop, coffee and tea houses, and outdoor space.

These submissions were culled by the Akron Better Block team into a series of concepts that had the greatest potential for implementation. Concepts included a locally run Bhutanese dumpling restaurant, a clothing store, a bicycle shop, an international market, a plaza garden, and a large pedestrian-friendly bulb-out plaza. Other concepts included a trafic circle and cycle-tracks to enhance street access for pedestrians and cyclists. Ultimately, the trafic circle was removed because of safety and implementation concerns, but all other elements were included for pre-build and development.

Table data from Smile Minded Smartworks, LLC

What issues do you see that are holding the block back from its greatest potential? RESPONSES

SAFETY / CRIME (INCLUDES JUVENILES ROAMING IN GROUPS / HOMELESS/DRUG USERS 26

LACK OF REASONS TO GO (ONLY ONE RESTAURANT, FEW SHOPS, NO EVENTS.. .) 20

LACK OF BIKEABILITY, WALKABILITY, AND STABILITY 16

VACANCIES/ABANDONED SPACES 14

LACK OF PARKING 13

LACK OF BEAUTY (UGLY FACADES, BILLBOARDS, ETC.) 12

HIGH TRAFFIC/WIDE STREET 10

LACK OF COMMUNITY COHESIVENESS BETWEEN DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES 7

INCOME LEVEL OF RESIDENTS 7

LIMITED INVESTMENT AND LOW-END BUSINESSES 7

LACK OF SIGNAGE AND BRANDING 4

NOT MEETING COMMUNITY NEEDS 3

CITY REGULATIONS AND PERMITS 2


Obtaining permits and licenses were a also a large part of our planning process.

Like most cities, Akron had a simple community event application that we completed in order for merchants to set up on the street, live music to be played, and thoroughfares to be altered.

For the pop-up shops, we received permission from the property owners to utilize the vacant spaces and made the necessary changes and purchases required by Code Compliance (exit signs, fire extinguishers, etc.)

We also had many meetings with AMATS and the Public Works Bureau of the City of Akron to obtain all the permissions necessary to paint the bike lanes, reallocate parking spaces, and change the traffic pattern.

PERMITTING

For the beer garden, The Highland Square Neighborhood Association pulled a temporary permit from the Ohio Department of Commerce to enable alcohol sales onsite.

These permits and permissions often deter the community from activating public space, since they are often cumbersome, tedious, and cost prohibitive.


Top Left, Top Right Building the parklet wih help from North High School

Bottom Community members preparing the street bunting

Days prior to the buildout, pre-build workshops were setup and manned by volunteers to assist in creating each individual idea from the concept plan. A former music store, Lentiens, was used as the Better Block lab to facilitate construction and storage of materials.

Over 100 volunteers took part in this process, including a high school class from North High School, members of Keep Akron Beautiful, Torchbearers Akron, and dozens of individuals who were passionate about improving their neighborhood.

To create the bike lane, the City enlisted Public Works to stripe the street with professional equipment using the temporary paint we ordered for the project. The result was a green bike lane that looked like it was there to stay.

CommunityBuildout


Final Concept Plan


Final Product


Green Bike LanesN Main Street is a wide thoroughfare that facilitates high speed traffi c and discourages pedestrian activity. In order to create a vibrant block, the focus needs to be on creating an irresistible place for people, not cars.


Top Left Penn Ave, Pittsburgh,2014

Top Right L St NW,DC,2013

Middle Left Alki Beach, Seattle, 2014

Bottom 55th Street, Chicago, 2013

GREEN BIKE LANES

InspirationOur inspiration for the Akron bike lane came from the Green Lane Project, a project spearheaded by PeopleforBikes. The initiative hopes to create low-stress streets by separating on-street bike lanes with planters, curbs, or parked cars.

While protected bike lanes have worked well in Denmark and the Netherlands for many decades, they only recently have begun to be implemented in the U.S. Between 1874 and 2011, only 80 were built nationwide. At the end of 2014, the count was up to 191, and the number is expected to continue to grow dramatically.

Protected bike lanes bring predictability and order to busy streets. Drivers like knowing where to expect riders, and pedestrians arent dodging bikes on the sidewalk. Protected bike lanes also add vitality and energy to the street, attracting new businesses and helping to create a community where people want to be.

Bike lanes have also been shown to drastically increase business for stores in the district by delivering customers to doorsteps at a slower pace.


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GREEN BIKE LANES

Draftingthe PlansUsing standard measurements across the industry, and some tips we learned from past projects, the Better Block team made mock-up plans for Akrons fi rst green bike lanes.

The organization Code for America developed an open source tool, streemix.net, that allows communities to create their own cross-sections of streets and to incorporate new infrastructure such as landscaping, bike infrastructure, bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and enhanced parking. Ideas developed with the help of Streetmix were brought to life during the project.


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Sidewalk

5

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Parking lane

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GREEN BIKE LANES

Finding theResourcesUnlike many of our past projects, where the bike lanes were painted by volunteers using rollers and tape, the City of Akron came on board and enlisted Public Works Bureau to help us paint the lanes. Though the paint was temporary and the borders were marked with white duct tape, the lanes could have easily been mistaken for the permanent green lanes found in major cities across the country.

By including a buffer and moving street parking to the outer edge of the bike lane, we created a space where cyclists could enjoy the street without the stress of traffic. Adding bike lanes and widening sidewalks pinched the portion of the street reserved for cars down to one lane in either direction, reducing speed and making the street safer not only for cyclists, but pedestrians and drivers as well.


Photos by Svetla Morrison

After the city painted the lanes, we created a workshop to enlist volunteers who helped us stripe the bike lane and create the buffer.

Using inexpensive materials, we created a crisp edge on the street that gave the street a more professional look and enhanced the cyclist and pedestrian experience.

GREEN BIKE LANES

Applying theIdeas


GREEN BIKE LANES

Before Before the Better Block project took place, N Main Street at E Cuyahoga Falls Ave looked like this:


GREEN BIKE LANES

After By including a buffer and moving street parking to the outer edge of the bike lane, we created a space where cyclists could enjoy the street without the stress of traffic. Dozens of people came out during the weekend to take advantage of the new lanes.


GREEN BIKE LANES

Bike LaneEvaluationMission:

To make the street safer for all users, traffic lanes were reduced from four to two. The outside lanes in each direction became extended sidewalks and bike lanes. On-street parking acted as a buffer between the bike lane and the street.

Outcome:

Traffic speeds and decibel levels were reduced. On street parking remained full. The bike lanes and added pedestrian space allowed users to enjoy the space.

What Worked:

Overall design was a success. Road width allowed for sufficient on street parking, buffered bike lane and pedestrian space.

What didnt work:

Reduction in lanes caused some backup in traffic during rush hour. This could be alleviated through adjusting the traffic light cycles and also over time drivers will take other routes as needed.

Build Partners:

City of Akron - Painted Lanes

Volunteers - Applied tape & crosswalk


- Obtain widths of the right-of-way- Review traffi c accident history- Assess existing bike facilities

- Use streetmix.net for concepts- Sketch model- Traffi c control plan

- Rent traffi c control equipment (cones, orange vests)- Get tape and green tempera paint

1 2 3

4

Tempera PaintSargent Art 22-7166 1-Pound Art Time Powder Tempera, Green.

1 unit produces 1 gallon.

1 gallon Covers approximately 300sf applied through sprayer.

TapeProTapes Pro Duct 110 PE-Coated Cloth General Purpose Duct Tape,

60 yds Length x 4 Width

White

Materials per 180

- (3) Tempera Paint: $10 /unit- (1) White Spray Paint: $5/can- (4) Tape: $15 / Roll- (1) Stencil

Green Bike Lane Recipe

Total Price for 180 (5 painted bike lane including striping & 2 buffer) : $95, labor and traffi c control not included

CLEAN SURFACE 2 people Use push brooms, collect & dispose of debris

MEASURE LANES 3 people Use marking spray, measuring tape & pull string. Measure dimensions off the existing road center line

PAINT SPR AYER 3 peopleApply spray while at a brisk walk. One person pushes the machine, one person guides the machine, one person tapers edges with cardboard.

APPLY TAPE STRIPPING At least 2 peoplePerson 1 holds end on ground, second person walks ~ 6 in advance ensuring tape is pulled straight. Person 1 walks along tape securing it to the road

BIKE STENCIL 2 people Person 1 holds stencil in place. Person 2 sprays white paint using hand spayer or spray cans

MEASUREMENT OBSERVATION DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION

INSTALL


The Pop-Up ShopsStarting a brick-and-mortar business can be intimidating to a fi rst-time entrepreneur, but Better Block is the perfect platform for local makers to test out their concepts. By eliminating many of the barriers that complicate starting a business, seven different pop-ups were able to open for the weekend, including:

Three Sisters Momo

Stray Dog Diner

Summit Cycling Center

Local Art Gallery

International Welcome Center

Neighbors Apparel

GAINS Bee-Happy Shop


Local entrepreneurs are often looking for affordable and accessible space. Temporary shops brought life to the vacant buildings, and new amenities and occupied lots rejuvenated the neighborhood.

Cities are increasingly using the idea of a pop-up business to activate space, increase perception of safety, encourage community investment, and stimulate economic development in an otherwise blighted area.

Ninety-two residents surveyed by Smile Minded Smartworks said the top three things that could bring more visitors to the neighborhood were restaurants, boutiques, and coffee/tea shops.

THE POP-UP SHOPS

Inspiration

DESIRED AMENITIES:

RestaurantsBoutiques/Retail Coffee shops

AMOUNT OF MENTIONS IN SURVEY:

483226

Photos taken of pop-up businesses at past Better Block projects.


THE POP-UP SHOPS

Finding the Resources

Working with civic-minded Akron residents, we were able to gather a group of entrepreneurs interested in setting up shop for the weekend. Better Block took care of their permits, insurance, and got permission from the property owners. Shop owners were responsible for converting their assigned space into a place of business.

North Hill is one of the most diverse neighborhoods of Akron, and a number of the pop-up shop owners came from international backgrounds, most notably Nepalese and Bhutanese cultures.

For the neighborhood and the city as a whole, diversity creates new ideas, businesses, expressions

of art, organizations etc. Simply put, multicultural neighborhoods and businesses provide opportunities that might not occur otherwise.

Taking the international culture that already exists in North Hill and concentrating it in the neighborhood center created a diverse, walkable pop-up shop district with a unique identity.


Top Left Neighbors Apparel

Top Right Summit Cycling Center

Middle Left Three Sisters Momo

Bottom Neighbors Apparel

The pop-up shops not only served to increase commercial density and walkability in the neighborhood, but also greatly increased the perception of safety. As attendees said:

I felt safe for once in 28 yrs. Never walked in that area before Better Block. Thank You!

Lovin the international feel of where we live, was happy to see that overlow into Better Block.

By activating the vacancies, the project illed in the gaps in the street, kept visitors engaged and gave them reason to linger on the block. The mix of businesses, which included restaurants, an art gallery, clothing stores, a bike shop, and an information center, added intrigue and diversity to the area.

THE POP-UP SHOPS

Final Product


NEIGHBORS APPAREL

Neighbors Apparel employs refugee women from around the world who now live in Akron. They make t-shirts, bags & accessories for the American fashion market using textiles authentic to the refugees cultures.

SUMMIT CYCLING CENTER

Summity Cycling Center provided bike share, rentals and workshops on bike repair, safety and bicycle advocacy in Akron. The shop also sold refurbished bicycles, parts and accessories.

INTERNATIONAL WELCOME CENTER

The International Institute of Akron in partnership with Global Ties Akron showcased their vision of creating a storefront full-service International Welcome Center for immigrants, refugees, and internationals living in Akron. In addition to direct services, the center functioned as a comprehensive resource for global connection in an environment where Akron could meet the rest of the world.

THE POP-UP SHOPS

MEET THE SHOPS

All photos: Tim Fitzwater Photography


Three Sisters is a woman-owned business employing former Bhutanese refugees in the Greater Akron Area. They make Momo-- a hand-folded dumpling stuffed with meat and cabbage, as well as other traditional Nepali dishes. Three Sisters sources their ingredients from local farmers and businesses wherever possible.

THREE SISTERS MOMO

Community members Lisa and Michael Kane organized a pop-up art gallery to exhibit their glass artwork, as well as work from a number of local artists in the Akron area.

LOCAL ART GALLERY

STRAY DOG DINER

Akron institution Stray Dog set up a sit-down restaurant along Main Street featuring their hot dogs, hamburgers and subs.

GAINS BEE HAPPY AKRON SHOP

Located inside a shipping container, Greater Akron Innovation Network for Sustainability set up a pop-up shop labeled BEE Happy Akron. The container included products from Akron Honey Company, Mustard Seed Market, Urban Buzz and Salsbury- Schweyer, Inc.


- Identify potential business concepts and willing individuals as part of the initial Better Block survey.- Identify potential vacant spaces and willing property owners.- Assess spaces and identify potential needs.- Assign spaces to operators.- Coordinate safety inspections with local authorities.- Coordinate access to space for shop operators at least two weeks prior to event to begin to prepare the space.- Assist operators with necessary permits.

- Generator when space does not have electricity- Fire extinguisher- Exit signs- Fire evacuations sign- Occupancy limit sign- Assistance with permitting process

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POP-UP Recipe

-Approximate cost is $150. The items that are listed below will be provided by Better Block Organizers.

PROCESS

ITEMS


The East PlazaAn underutilized parking lot adjacent to Peoples Bank gave us the perfect space for an outdoor market and traditional garden plaza. With the support of Peoples Bank and inspired by the Charbagh gardens of ancient Persia and Europe, we set up an outdoor gathering space that activated the lot.


THE EAST PLAZA

InspirationInspired by a recent trip to Queretaro, Mexico, our East Plaza followed the traditional Law of the Indies, a body of laws created in the 16th century that prioritized the beauty of a place and required that every town have a centralized commons or gathering space.

Many cities and towns that were built for human scale, notably in Europe and South America, centered around a common plaza that tied together a grid of streets, sometimes up to 12. These plazas often have green space, a water feature or central art piece, and seating areas, and were seperated into fours as dictated by the traditional Charbagh gardens of Persia.

Like towns that followed the Law of the Indies, our East Plaza featured seating areas, narrowed walking corridors, a central sculpture created by Akrons League of Creative Interventionists, and plants, mulch and trees donated by Keep Akron Beautiful.

To take the plaza a step further, we also created a performance stage at one end of the plaza. We hosted an outdoor artisan market on Saturday and a farmers market on Sunday, organized by Countryside Conservancy.

Queretaro, Mexico


THE EAST PLAZA

Draftingthe PlansAfter studying the plazas in Mexico and determining the dimensions of the space, our team drew out the plans for the East Plaza.

We used models from an ancient Persian-style garden layout known as Charbagh, or four garden, and laid the garden out with four axial paths that converged into a central circular area. The chosen layout for the garden also reflected the Middle Eastern population that has settled in the North Hill neighborhood.


Top Left League of Creative Interventionists

Top Right Trees from Keep Akron Beautiful

Bottom Keep Akron Beautiful Volunteers

THE EAST PLAZA

Finding theResourcesThe materials used were haybales, donated mulch, donated flowers and trees, recycled billboard vinyl and burlap.

Better Block partnered with Keep Akron Beautiful and enlisted dozens of volunteers to plant flowers, move haybales, and work to turn an empty parking lot into a garden plaza.

We also worked with The League of Creative Interventionists to create a piece of art for the center of the plaza, local market organizers Countryside Conservancy for a farmers market, and The International Institute to organize an international craft and food market.


Dozens of volunteers worked tirelessly in the days leading up to the event to spread mulch, plant lowers, and cover haybales in vinyl and burlap.

The garden was assembled within three hours and became a focal point for the block.

THE EAST PLAZA

Applying theIdeas

Photo credit: Svetla Morrison


THE EAST PLAZA

FinalProductDespite scattered rain, the weekend drew dozens of vendors and hundreds of attendees who came out to enjoy the performances and the new public space.

Smile Minded Smartworks counted 135 people in the plaza on Saturday, May 16th, and 76 on May 17th, either engaged with vendors, sitting, or dancing. The same surveyors only counted one or two people in the plaza in the days before the event.


THE EAST PLAZA

The East Plaza SummaryMission:

Temple Square lacks a space for the community to connect. The East Plaza addressed this need while also repairing the urban fabric of the block. Design of the plaza allowed users to interact and be comfortable. To activate the space, a market was organized comprised of local vendors. Additionally, programming was provided with a wide variety of cultural performances.

What Worked:

The space successfully engaged users. Passive seating allowed for groups of all sizes to linger comfortably.

What didnt work:

Weather proved to be a challenge over the weekend. Despite heavy rains, many users stayed. Unfortunately, some vendors did not do as well as they had hoped.

Build Partners:

Peoples Bank (Land Owner), Keep Akron Beautiful (Volunteers & Supplies)

The market atmosphere is what brought me back day 2 and 3. If that feel was maintained then I would return to Temple Square on a weekly basis.


DESIGN MATERIALS-Identify space for plaza & obtain permission from property owner-Measure dimensions of space. Note solar orientation, shade, topography, water & electrical -Design space - include opportunity for seating, art and vendors

(120) Straw Bales (36x18x14h)(10) 10x20 Vinyl Billboards(2) 180x48 Burlap(1) Box Landscape fabric staples(6 Yards) Mulch

Approximate Price: $1200 not including labor, mulch and vinyl donated, plants loaned. Straw bales can be rented from some feedstores. Some vendors will also include drop off and pickup. Vinyl can be obtained from sign shops like Clear Channel Communications for little or no fee. Mulch can usually be donated from local tree companies. Plants can be loaned from local nurseries. Straw bales usually cost around $4 to $8 a bale, not including delivery.

MARK LAYOUT 2 people Use string line and spray chalk to mark planned layout

PLACE BALES 4-12 people Place bales along markings

FILL 4-12 people Move mulch into garden areas

WR AP BALES 4-8 peopleCut vinyl into 5 x 20 strips. Tuck vinyl around bales to keep them dry. Place burlap over vinyl. Secure burlap in place with landscape staples.

PLANTS 4-12 people Place plants in mulch.

GARDEN PLAZA Recipe


The West PlazaThe intersection at the corner of N Main Street and E Cuyahoga Falls Ave. is extremely wide and diffi cult to maneuver. Speedy motor vehicle transportation semed to be the main purpose of the street design, leaving pedestrians and bikes without much space to move around. We decided to eliminate a turn lane on N Main Street and convert it into a plaza with a bocce court and seating area.


Our West Plaza was inspired by the Italian culture of North Hill. With a number of supper clubs and bocce leagues, the Italian community is an integral part of the identity of the neighborhood.

We were also inspired by cities who have converted underutilized turning lanes and street parking spaces into public space. Transforming the turning lane into pedestrian space not only serves to narrow the street and slow trafic, but also creates a safe, inviting space for the community to gather.

THE WEST PLAZA

Inspiration

Top Left, Top Right and Middle Left Team Better Block and community organizers meeting at the Carovillese Club, a historic Italian Club in the North Hill neighborhood.

Bottom A Bocce Ball court in an Italian park


THE WEST PLAZA

Finding the Resources

To create the bocce court, we used wood, donated crushed limestone, and discarded paint. The space was demarcated from the street with circles cut from recycled car skins, and the bike lane, pallet benches, and planters created a barrier between pedestrians and the street. Round tables and chairs were rented to create an outdoor seating area.

We created a workshop to enlist volunteers to build the bocce court. Flowers were donated by Keep Akron Beautiful. The Akron Boy Scouts Troop helped unload and set up the seating in the area.


Photo Credit: Svetla Morrison

Our plaza workshops drew the highest amount of volunteers throughout the week. With dozens of pallets and large spaces that needed to be demarcated from the street, volunteers were separated into tasks that included building benches from pallets, sanding, painting, cutting out circles for the street, and placing furniture.

An engaged group from North High School was very instrumental in sanding and painting the street furniture. Families came out to cut circles out of recycled car skins for the street, and community members contributed their own tools to help drill together pallets for the benches and chairs. Volunteers also helped string lights and bunting across the street to create a festive plaza atmosphere.

After two days of work, the community had created a plaza with seating and artful street decorations. The plaza was bordered by landscaping donated by Keep Akron Beautiful and the green bike lane that was completed earlier in the week.

THE WEST PLAZA

Applying theIdeas


THE WEST PLAZA

FinalProductThe bocce court turned out to be a huge success at the event. The seating area at the North end of the plaza suffered at first from a lack of programming, but then came to life after a shaved ice stand set up in the plaza.

Compared with zero people in the days leading up to the event (to be fair, it used to be part of the street), our surveyors found that an average of 50 to 6o people were gathering in the West Plaza during the weekend. The bocce court saw players from Italian clubs across Akron, as well young children, families, and teenagers in the community.

Many attendees also reported spontaneously bumping into old acquaintances and making new connections on the block because of the new public space. As one attendee said:

People from all walks of life gathered together in harmony!

Photo Credit, Top Left: Tim Fitzwater Photography


MATERIALS(12) 1x10x10 untreated lumber(2) 1x10x12 untreated lumber(2) 2x4x8 untreated lumber, cut into 9 sections(1) Box of 2 Deck Screws(4 yards) Fine gravel (Decomposed granite, oyster shell, or crushed limestone will do)(1 Gallon) Paint(1) Bocce Ball Set

Total price was approximately $200 not including labor. Materials purchased included full price lumber and screws. Paint was purchased at a discount from paint stores by requesting mis-tints. Aggregate used for the west plaza Bocce court was crushed lime stone. Availability will vary by region. Crushed granite, compacted sand, astro-turf, or oyster shell are all acceptable surfaces. Costs were kept down by loaning aggregate from the stone supplier. For this project the supplier delivered the materials for free. Afterwards, a local construction company picked up and returned the stone voluntarily. If your local stone company isnt as generous, find a property owner who needs stone and is willing to purchase the material and loan it for the duration of the event. Afterwards, deliver the stone to its final location. We recommend utilizing a landscaping company with a bobcat /skid-steer and dump truck for clean up and transportation of stone.

LAYOUT 2 people Measure dimensions on street. Mark out boundary using string line and marking paint.

FR AME 2 peopleAssemble frame. Attach boards together by using the cut 2x4 sections at the seams. Leave one end of frame open for gravel installation

GR AVEL 4-10 peopleMove gravel from pile into frame using shovels and wheelbarrows. Ideal depth 1.5 feet. Rake gravel for even depth.

BOCCE BALL Recipe


Activity SquareThe availability of a vacant, grassy lot on the block invited a location for games and recreation during the Better Block project. The area presented another vacancy on the block that dramatically reduces the walkability of the area. These vacant lots are at risk of becoming parking lots, which further diminish the walkability of the street.At our activity square, we organized outdoor yoga and tai chi, ping pong tables, and a small goal soccer tournament.


ACTIVITY SQUARE

InspirationIn addition to having unique places to eat, drink and explore, great blocks also give the community place a place to exercise, play, and engage in fun activities.

The activities we designed included ping pong tables, a futsal field (small goal soccer frequently played in Nepal), and an area designated for yoga and tai chi classes. Though the rain prevented us from showing it, we also had a wall and lawn area set aside for an outdoor movie screening.

While play areas in cities are often designated only for children, our activity square included activities that people of all ages could partake in. This was a deliberate decision inspired by Gil Penalosas 8-80 Cities initiative, which encourages all public space to appeal to anyone from 8 to 80 years of age.

Activities and programming promote health and sustainability in public life, and a variety of programs attracts a variety of residents.

Pictures of activities at past Better Block projects


ACTIVITY SQUARE

Draftingthe PlansGiven that there was only one grassy field on the block, it was easy to choose the location for the activity area.

Our team worked with local community members to measure dimensions, gather supplies for the fields and ping pong tables, and draft plans to incorporate them into the project.


ACTIVITY SQUARE

Finding theResourcesTo program the field, we teamed up with a local area futsal organizer, a yoga instructor, a tai chi master, and a group that hosts regular outdoor movies. We also purchased sheets of plywood, a sawhorse, white duct tape, a net and ping pong balls to build ping pong tables in the field.

We created an online workshop registration link to bring together a number of volunteers to build the tables and stripe the field.


ACTIVITY SQUARE

Final ProductActivity Square saw the most activity when classes or tournaments were going on, though the ping pong table seemed to be in constant demand throughout the weekend.

With the help of the instructors promotions and schedules published on signs around the street, the yoga and tai chi classes saw small but dedicated groups at each of their events.

The futsal field sat vacant much of the weekend until high schoolers from around the neighborhood came together for a tournament on Saturday afternoon.

A Friday night outdoor movie garnered much excitement from the community, but was unfortunately cancelled due to heavy rainfall that evening.

Top Left An early evening yoga class

Top Right Kids enjoying activity square, photo credit: Tim

Fitwater Photography

Bottom

Ping pong


DESIGN MATERIALS-Identify space for fi eld & obtain permission from property owner-Measure dimensions of space. Note the amount of sunlight, shade, and topography. -Design space - consider how dimensions and topography dictate what activities would be successful.

(2) plywood sheets(2) Saw horsesWhite duct tape(1) Ping pong kit(1) Can white marking paint

Approximate Price: $140, not including labor.

MARK LAYOUT 2 people Use string line and marking spray to mark outlines of fi eld

BUILD TABLES 2-4 peopleStack plywood sheets on top of sawhorses one to create steady surface. Mark sides and center with tape and install ping pong net.

Activity Square Recipe

Photo credit: Tim Fitzwater Photography


The Beer GardenThough a bar exists on the block, city regulations inhibit outdoor seating and sidewalk activity. Inspired by other outdoor beer gardens and watering holes, we extended the sidewalk on the west side of N Main Street to allow for a beer garden featuring local brews, a stage, and a seating area.


Our sidewalk beer garden was inspired by traditional Bavarian beer gardens, which began in shaded lots above a brewers beer cellars.

Beer gardens provide a place for people to sit and mingle, and beer provides a social lubricant to bring the community together.

THE BEER GARDEN

Inspiration

This page Traditional German biergartens

Top Right Better Block San Antonio Beer Garden, 2012

Bottom Knox Strasse Biergarten, Dallas, 2012


BEER GARDEN


We secured a permit from the State of Ohio with the help of the Highland Square Neighborhood Association. We then found an area of the sidewalk that would work for the beer garden, measured the space, and created the plan.

Pallet fencing delineated the beer garden. The space included rented round tables, chairs, and a stage for live music and performances.

THE BEER GARDEN

Drafting the Plan


THE BEER GARDEN

Finding theResources

Due to restrictive alcohol permitting laws, we partnered with a local nonprofit, the Highland Square Neighborhood Association, to host the beer permit and run the beer garden. In exchange, the association kept all profits from beer sales.

We created workshops to build walls out of pallets to delineate the beer garden from the street. We built a stage out of pallets and plywood, and rented tables and chairs for seating.


We created a workshop for volunteers to sign up to create the pallet fences, paint the furniture, and tie together the fencing.

After a few hours of help from dozens of volunteers, the beer garden had been created.

THE BEER GARDEN

Applying theIdeas


THE BEER GARDEN

FinalProductThe beer garden was one of the most popular areas during the event. Inspired once again by Gil Penalosas 8-80 cities, a beer garden appeals to adults and young professionals and gives them an opportunity to socialize and linger. The beer gardens proximity to the West Plaza and other seating areas allowed children to play close by while parents gathered in the beer garden.

The Highland Square Neighborhood Association agreed to host the beer garden in exchange for sales from the drinks, and Thirsty Dog Brewery provided beer for the event. Thanks to strategically placed tents overhead, the beer garden was one of the only areas that remained populated throughout the rainy periods.

Top Left Musicians peforming in the beer garden

Top Right The Better Block crew catching up over beers

Bottom Beer garden and West Plaza


-Pallets (6 pallets per stage, 13 per parklet) - Potential pallet sources include local grocery stores, Home Depot and Lowes. Check with store managers in advance. Blue pallets are off limits. Pallets can also be purchased directly from pallet recyclers but l may cost up to $8 each. Recyclers might supply delivery. Otherwise, plan on renting a UHaul truck to transport pallets to the site. Ideally, use pallets of all the same size. 48x48 are common.

- 1.5 Deck Screws- (3) 4x8 sheets of OSB Plywood- Paint - Discounted paint can be obtained from paint shops by requesting mis-tints- Sandpaper pads- Hammer- 1 Medium weight deck nails- Measuring tape- Paint Brushes & Rollers (4 preferred)- Drop Cloth- Painters Paper- Cordless Drill- Circular Saw- Safety glasses- Work Gloves

2

PARKLET Recipe

-Approximate price per parklet $50. Pallets can be returned to original source or picked up by pallet salvage company.

FOUNDATION 4 people

Place pallets on the ground. For parklets, place pallets flush with the curb. Place two rows of 3 pallets parallel to the curb. Set plywood on top of pallets. No cutting plywood or pallets should be needed. Secure plywood to pallet with deck screws.

SIDES & CANOPY 4 people

For parklets secure pallets vertically along edge of foundation to create a boundary fence. Leave sidewalk side open. For more embellished parklets create a canopy using 2x4s as posts. Use landscape fabric or burlap to make shade material. Use heavy duty stapler and 1x1 trim boards to create support structure for shade

PAINT 4 people Paint exterior side of fencing

SUPPLIES TOOLS

BUILD


PALLET FURNITURE Recipe

- Pallets (2 pallets per bench)

- Potential pallet sources include local grocery stores, Home Depot and Lowes. Check with store managers in advance. Blue painted pallets are off limits. Pallets can also be purchased directly from pallet recyclers but l may cost up to $8. Recyclers might supply delivery. Otherswise, plan on renting a UHaul truck to transport pallets to the site. Ideally, use pallets of all the same size. 48x48 are common.

- 1.5 Deck Screws- (3) 4x8 sheets of OSB Plywood- Paint - Discounted paint can be obtained from paint shops by requesting mis-tints Sandpaper pads- Hammer- 1 Medium weight deck nails- Measuring tape- Paint Brushes & Rollers (4 preferred)- Drop Cloth- Painters Paper- Cordless Drill- Circular Saw- Safety glasses- Work Gloves

1

2- Pallet building is best done in a workshop setting. Promote the workshop in advance and have an online signup form. On workshop day assemble volunteers and break them up into teams depending on skillsets. Establish 3 stations: a cutting station, an assembly station and a paint station. Create at least one model item in advance of workshop for furniture to be based on. Many design options are available online.

Approximate price per bench $10. When placing furniture out for the event ensure the paint is dry for sitting on. Place painters paper on wet spots as necessary.

CUTTING STATION 3 people Limit access to circular saw to dedicated users. Cut pallets into necessary dimensions

ASSEMBLY STATION 4 people Assemble pallet pieces into furniture using drill and screws

SAND & PAINT STATION 4 people Sand & Paint i nished furniture

SUPPLIES TOOLS

BUILD


A Recipe for SuccessCO-OWNERSHIPThe barn-building mentality of the Better Block project brings a community together to help rebuild their neighborhood. We take reclaimed wood, metals, and other local resources, and retrofit them into usable structures for the community. Sidewalk benches, parklets, pedestrian islands, and crosswalks are all developed locally by unskilled and skilled community members who collectively share ownership of their space. From sharing tools to donating time, this ownership transforms Them to Us and is vital for making a place feel loved and cared for.

By engaging the diverse community in Akron and giving them the resources they need to start businesses and invest in their community, the neighborhood now has the potential to become a self-sustaining, vibrant economic center that thrives from its own residents.

VOLUNTEERS:Boy Scouts of Akron

Torchbearers Akron

Keep Akron Beautiful

North High School

70+ local community members


Top Left A Bhutanese performance, photo credit: Tim

Fitzwater Photography

Top Middle Neighbors Apparel photo booth

Top Right Welcome sign at the International Insitute

Welcome Center

Bottom Hmong marketplace vendors, photo credit: Tim

Fitzwater Photography

THE IMPORTANCE OF IDENTITY As an international district, North Hill is home to hundreds of refugees from Bhutan, Nepal, Burma and the Middle East, making it a community rich in culture and diversity.

The shops and activities throughout the weekend reflected the multicultural flair of the neighborhood; Three Sisters Momo served traditional Nepali dumplings by employing Bhutanese refugees; Neighbors Apparel employs local refugees to create its unique clothing and accessories; the art gallery showcased work made by local refugee youth; and the International Welcome Center served to educate attendees about the global identity of the neighborhood and provide resources to immigrants in the community.

In addition, businesses that already existed around the block, such as a family-owned grocery store and The Office Bistro, benefited from the increased pedestrian activity in the area and saw a boom in sales over the weekend.


CREATING A GATHERING SPACEThe two plazas, activity square, and outdoor beer garden, which were all enhanced by shade, seating, food, drink, and recreational options, invited people to linger and get to know one another in an otherwise unfriendly, car-centric atmosphere.

SUSTAINABILITYLike all of our projects, Better Block sources its materials locally and works to use borrowed tools and equipment to save costs and to engage the community in the build process. Temporary donations were used to landscape the street; reclaimed pallets became furniture and fencing; recycled billboard vinyl became bunting, chair covers, and mural backdrops; and old rubber tires were turned into art.


This is not a block Id feel particularly comfortable at at night. The lighting is poor, or at least not inviting.

Before event: After event:

I felt safe for once in 28 years. Never walked in that area before Better Block. Thank You!


When conducting pre-event surveys, participants listed perception of safety as the primary detriment to the block.

If a place feels unsafe, surrounding businesses and the community at large will suffer. Its important to be mindful of the most cautious members of society when gauging the health of a block. The elderly and young mothers are often bellwethers that, when seen in large numbers, help portray a neighborhood as safe.

The North Hill neighborhood has suffered from a lack of investment and, as a result, a perception of increased crime in recent years. These elements reduced the real and perceived safety of the neighborhood and created a narrative that the place was equivalent to the bad side of town. This view could rapidly spiral downward, negatively affect home sales and new business development, reduce the number of eyes on the street, and ultimately, become a self-fulilling prophecy if not addressed.

The irst step to changing that perception is re-taking the name and telling others that North Hill is a great place! Though simplistic, this act alone begins changing the local and regional psychology of the neighborhood. Eventually, changing North Hills reputation would instill pride in its residents and return ownership of the neighborhood to the community.

Team Better Block recommends continuing to develop an irresistible outdoor presence on the block to enhance street life, vibrancy, and economics. Being mindful of what makes people feel welcome and comfortable should be prioritized by area stakeholders.

PERCEPTION OF SAFETY



A lack of population density is one of the most obvious problems facing the existing built environment. Encouraging higher move-in rates in Better Block areas will increase patronage, and sustainability, at local businesses.

While the North Hill neighborhood has a historic structure that at one time encouraged pedestrian activity, many of the pre-war buildings on the block have either been torn down or sit vacant, creating dead space in the street that makes it difficult for small businesses to prosper. By inviting pop-up businesses to reactivate the vacancies, and filling the spaces in between buildings with plazas and programming, Better Block temporarily creates commercial density in the area that increases perception of safety and draws pedestrians and patrons down the street.

For a more permanent solution, block stakeholders should partner with local organizations, universities, and young entrepreneurs

F. INCREMENTAL DENSIFICATION

Photo credit: Svetla Morrison


to incubate these spaces for longer periods of time with the ultimate goal of lasting change. Creating a model for ongoing maintenance and administration should also be built into the block. Tools such as Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) allow for small quasi-governmental entities to levy local taxes with a block boundary to keep funds within a blocks constraints. Though these are normally created and overseen by local governments, models exist that allow self-organized blocks to levy their own 1% tax. Finding the right size and it for the block should be an early undertaking for the merchants who will help administer the growth of the area.



The ResultsQUANTITATIVE

Because of the event, average northbound traffic speeds decreased from 29.6 mph to 13.4 mph, and southbound traffic speeds decreased from 28.9 mph to 16 mph.

Decibel levels maxed out at 87 during the event, but were recorded at 97 before the event.

QUALITATIVE

The 100 attendees surveyed by Smile Minded Smartworks, LLC, ranged in age from 8 to 72. The majority of attendees surveyed were white, with a number of Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans.

As the tables on the right indicate, surveyed attendees wished to see more activitities, seating, bike lanes, street narrowing, food, performances, and shade.

Participants surveyed said they would like to see more shops, restaurants, and outdoor markets, bike lanes, narrower roads, street trees and landscaping, and streets closed to vehicular traffic.

Thanks to activities, programs, and the creation of a public space, the number of people on the block increased exponentially. There were people dancing, sitting, walking and shopping throughout the weekend, whereas only a handful of pedestrians were witnessed on the block in the weeks and days prior to the event.


TEMPLE SQUARE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION SMILE-MINDED SMARTWORKS SURVEY

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FRI SAT SUN BB SAT

BB SUN

TRIP LINE OR CROSSWALK 5/1 4/18 5/3 5/16 5/17

Temple Square Park to Peoples Bank Entrance

2 12 0 39 52

ACROSS MAIN ST. 9 17 12 225 335

PAST LIBERTY TAXN/A Traffic in

TS-PB Measure

25 56

EAST TO WEST 69 61

OFFICE BISTRO ONTO MAIN ST. 14 35

ACROSS MAIN ST. NEAR FAMILY GRO-CERY

9 0 2 72 247

MID BLOCK CROSS-WALK N/A N/A N/A 35 N/A

TOTAL 22 40 14 479 786

ENTERING/EXITING 23 2 125 150 390

TEAM BETTER BLOCK SURVEY RESULTS

Of the demonstrations, which would you like to see more of?

If you could recommend one phys-ical change for the area, what

would it be?

THEME COUNT THEME COUNT

ACTIVITIES 56 SHOPS/MARKET 25

SEATING 22 BIKE LANES 10

BIKE LANES 18 NARROW ROAD 9

NARROW ROAD 16 BIGGER 6

PLANTINGS 9 PLANTINGS/TREES 6

FOOD 9 CLOSE STREETS 4

MUSIC 9 ENTERTAINMENT 4

PLAZA 9 CROSSWALK 4

ART 4 SEATING 4

SHADE 4 ETHNIC DIVERSITY 3

VENDORS 3 ON STREET PARKING 2

SMILE MINDED SMARTWORKS SURVEY

WHAT PHYSICAL CHANGES TO THE BLOCK WOULD YOU LIKE MADE PERMANENT?

PERMANENT CHANGES COUNT %

ADDITIONAL TREES 226 72.25

SIDEWALK SEATING 224 71.65

BIKE LANES 218 69.65

EXTENSION OF BIKE LANES TO DOWNTOWN 195 62.39

PLAZA SPACE W/ SEATING & STAGE 174 55.69

PLAY SPACES (BOCCE, SOCCER, ETC.) 152 48.69

MID-BLOCK CROSSWALK 151 48.25

PARKING LANES 130 41.59

PLAZA IN FRONT OF TAX BUILDING 125 39.99

NARROWING OF THE STREET 117 37.49

ADDITIONAL BIKE RACKS 115 36.79

AWNINGS/TENTS 95 30.79


Moving forward, plans are now in the works to take concepts developed for the Better Block and make them permanent. Many thanks to all of the community members, property owners, city staff, and volunteers for making this an incredibly successful event.

However, activity programming and investment will need to continue in order to maintain the momentum developed from the Better Block project. The Better Block process is much like planting a tree: It carves out the course for incremental improvement, but must be watered and nurtured in order to grow and thrive.

Creating small additions that occupy the spaces between buildings is a simple irst step to begin bringing more activity and life into the area. Monthly farmers markets, beer gardens, outdoor movies, and passive play areas that invite families to linger should be an early focus.

Working with city oficials to creatively activate long vacant buildings is imperative. Existing zoning ordinances can often be too rigid to allow interesting mixed-use spaces to spring up from innovative business ideas. Places must be able to adapt rapidly to changing patterns in society. Successful block businesses that once thrived on a retail presence alone, like bookstores and music shops, must create opportunities for mixed uses in order to maintain patronage. The third place model, which suggests a business should become a space for daily life after home and the workplace, should inform how the blocks businesses operate.

Programmed activities such as holiday markets, food festivals, art and music events, clean-up days, and group bike rides will keep energy and activity on the street.

Going Forward

2015 akron better block

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