Title
Discussion and Possible Action on a Project Proposal from the Better Block Foundation for Historic Downtown Mansfield
Requested Action
Approval or denial of the project proposal request received from the Better Block Foundation for their program year 2022.
Recommendation
Evaluate the Better Block Foundation project design process with the strategic priorities of the district and determine their alignment.
Description/History
In July 2020, the City Council adopted the Downtown Development Strategies, which included 32 recommendations for strategies that could be employed to continue the advancement of revitalization efforts in Historic Downtown Mansfield. The strategies identified four broad goal categories based on major themes from the stakeholder engagement process, which are:
Identity: Reinforce the historic and cultural characteristics of Downtown Mansfield that make it unique.
Activity: Diversify the type of retail and activities to attract and retain residents and visitors.
Connectivity: Create a safe and accessible environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.
Livability: Encourage residential uses and supporting quality of life amenities in Downtown.
Neighborhood revitalization strategies related to activation or improvement of the built environment would include the following:
Strategy 10: Outdoor Space Activation
Strategy 13: The LOT Activation
Strategy 16: Traffic Calming
Strategy 18: Pedestrian Pass-Through
Strategy 19: Smith Street Pedestrian Plaza
Justification
The Better Block Foundation is a 501(c) urban design nonprofit that educates, equips, and empowers communities to reshape and reactivate built environments to promote the growth of healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. They “work to show neighbors that they have the power and resources to affect change in their communities, and [they] work alongside city staff to identify hurdles and overcome them to bring this change to life.” Their total project process is 120 days.
Their concept development process is reliant on community involvement through meetings, community surveys, and other outreach methods to let the neighborhood inform interventions that could create the change they want to see. Results of their community outreach campaign are used to develop a design concept, which is then presented for consideration. Upon approval, design and preparation begin, leading to a 2-day demonstration. Further surveying and tracking is conducted during the demonstration, and the final project deliverable is a report that evaluates the success of the demonstration components and provides recommended next steps.
Funding Source
Historic Downtown Grant Fund (General Fund)
Prepared By
Nicolette Ricciuti
Historic Downtown Coordinator