Better Block project headed to Church Hill

TBB will be “temporarily transforming” two city blocks in June.

March 7, 2014; 3:24 PM • by Eric Steigleder

Richmond is getting it’s first taste of Team Better Block, and it’s happening right in North Church Hill in June.

Team Better Block travels around the country, partnering with individuals, organizations and local government to “temporarily transform” a single block.

From their website:

Team Better Block works with cities, developers, and stakeholders to create quick, inexpensive, high-impact changes that improve and revitalize underused properties and highlight the potential for creating great “Complete Streets”.

This is what the organization hopes to do in the East End, and they have set their sights on Church Hill, specifically two blocks of North 25th Street, located between P Street and R Street.

Local partners involved with the project include organizations such as Sports Backers, The Bon Secours Richmond Health System, Groundwork RVA, Storefront for Community Design, and the Partnership for Smarter Growth. The City of Richmond will also be a partner.

For those interested in getting involved or learning more, TBB will be hosting a Walk & Talk event at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, March 12, kicking off at the corner of North 25th and Venable Streets. It will begin with a guided tour of the selected location and conclude at the Robinson Theater at 7:15 PM, where Better Block Richmond will lead a community discussion and presentation on the project.

According to TBB’s press release, the impact of these hyper-local projects on communities is felt long after they have moved on to other cities and locations:

While these “pop-up” businesses, comfortable gathering spaces, and pedestrian crosswalks are gone after the weekend, there is a lasting focus on what can be made permanent in the short term to make the block more livable and attractive to businesses, residents, and developers.

For more information or to RSVP for the Walk & Talk, visit the Facebook event page here.