Urban Quality Consulting

Institute of Transportation Engineers’ Recommended Practice: Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach NATIONWIDE

It provides guidance for the development of improvement projects on major urban thoroughfares, facilities that are typically classified as arterial and collector roadways in urbanized areas.

SIDEWALK FLOWERS Dallas Development Code. SEC. 43-115. ANNUAL FEE FOR USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. (a) Except as provided in Section 43-115.1, the annual fee for a license to use a public right-of-way for the following uses is: (3) Fee for landscaping and appurtenant irrigation systems: $1,000.

STREET CAFÉS Dallas Development Code. SEC. 43-115. ANNUAL FEE FOR USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. (b) Except as provided in Section 43-115.1, the annual fee for a license to use a public right-of-way for uses other than those listed in Subsection (a) is $1,000 or is calculated in accordance with one of the following formulas, whichever is greater: (1) Fee for use of public right-of-way, including but not limited to sidewalk cafes: area X market value X 85% X 12%.

AWNINGS & ARCADES Dallas Development Code. SEC. 43-115. ANNUAL FEE FOR USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. (a) Except as provided in Section 43-115.1, the annual fee for a license to use a public right-of-way for the following uses is: (4) Fee for awnings and canopies: $1,000 per awning or canopy.

BETTER BLOCK INCREMENTAL CHANGE

Tyler Street becomes a Place

Metrics Measure Before After Vacancy Rate

60% 10%

Active Storefronts

20% 80%

Community Events

Occasional

Monthly

Outdoor seating

Two Twenty

Revenue Double previous year

Attracted $500,000 in Public Investment

Metrics Measure Before After Vacancy Rate

75% 10%

Active Storefronts

25% 65%

Outdoor seating

Four Sixty

Attracted $300,000 in Public Investment

What makes up a Better Block? 1) Safety 2) Shared 3) Stay Power

BB Public & Private Space Survey (PPSS) - Survey of area public and private spaces, quality of these spaces, and identification of rapid redevelopment potential. Team Better Block's PPS Survey provides a detailed analysis of a community's assets, potential stakeholders (property owners, activists, non profits, businesses, artists), and quick win opportunities that allow a jumping-off point for a Better Block demonstration. The PPSS tool also identifies local materials and resources that can best be utilized to rebuild a community while showcasing the area's natural character.

BB Build Plan (BP) - Team Better Block will prepare a Building Plan that illustrates your block. The BP will include a rendering of the Block, material list, street cross section, cost estimates and powerpoint describing the Better Block. Permitting, traffic engineer approval and private property stakeholders will be coordinated with during this phase.

BB CBT (Community Build Team) - The CBT replaces the Stakeholder Advisory Committee in traditional planning projects. This group is made up of leaders and activists within the community who will engage in the build-out of the Better Block. This activity replaces the townall meeting and puts us in the street defining quick wins and lasting changes that need to occur for a place to be successful.

BB Starter Kit – This is all the good stuff! A refined build plan with a list of materials to construct and rent will be assembled and final budget needs and donations determined. Typically materials include, planters, plants, bollards, temporary painted surface, bicycle lanes and parking, street furniture and lighting. We will identify as many as possible local sources, define opportunities for local craftsman, artist and DIYers to participate, build-out ourselves or rent the needed materials.

BB Market Analysis Survey (MAS) - Our MAS tool polls the community to find what businesses are missing, and what could easily be developed by and for the community. Team Better Block stresses the need to build up the local community to create solutions for businesses or services that residents feel are "missing" or "lacking". We use this information to seed pop-up businesses for the Better Block. Working with property owners we secure short-term access agreements and fill vacant storefronts with community inspired and run shops. We have found that many of these shops become permanent after the better block!

•  Commit to physical change in days, not years

•  Out of the townhall, onto the street

•  Take away a zero / Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper

•  Co-Responsibility / Community Partners

Better Block / Incremental Planning Approach

How to get started? - Invite us to your city for a free Better Block evaluation - Training webinar on Jan. 24th betterblock.org/training

Jason Roberts jason@teambetterblock.com @mannytmoto

Andrew Howard andrew@teambetterblock.com @street_space

Consulting: teambetterblock.com Non-Profit: betterblock.org