Andrew Howard of Team Better Block leading Norfolk’s second Better Block project community walkthrough
Last year, we highlighted the outcomes of the first Better Block in Norfolk, Virginia (ie. rapid zoning changes, new business creation, and building sales) so to ring in the new year, the final report has just been released on the second Better Block which took place in November in the Park Place neighborhood.
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This project, a collaboration with the city of Norfolk, the National Association of REALTORS®, the Hampton Rhodes REALTORS® Association, and the Park Place Business Association, took two blocks of semi-vacant historic building stock with wide streets, and converted them into an active, and vibrant neighborhood destination complete with 19 new businesses, pedestrian calmed intersections, and re-claimed right-of-way for greater use by the neighborhood.
Norfolk Park Place Better Block build team
Prior to the effort, local merchants organized to help spearhead the Better Block project and create a unified vision for the area. Outreach occurred to locals interested in starting new businesses, and city staff was advised on the creation of outdoor cafe seating, pedestrian bulb-outs, and improved landscaping. Vacant spaces were cataloged, and baseline metrics were gathered to show existing vehicle counts and speeds, and pedestrian use. Code for America’s Streetmix tool was used to profile the existing streetscape:
All total the Better Block took place over two days, totaling 10 hours of business operation. Within that time, with $13,000+ in revenue generated. Also, after the project ended, one of the local businesses incubated through the project is now setting up permanent shop on 35th Street.
Re-lighting of the historic Newport marquis, which had been off for 37 years.
One of multiple parklettes created during the Better Block
Former vacant building converted to use with local business
Vacant lot converted to pocket park for residents with farmers market
local restaurant created in vacant business space
Mid-block crosswalk installed at Better Block
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