BetterBlockNewark, modeled after the national Better Block movement, which has transformed blocks and neighborhoods across the country, took place Saturday on Bergen Street across the two blocks between Lehigh and Lyons Ave. The Better Block model is about immediate, highly visible and grassroots-based project that transform a block and eventually a neighborhood.
This collaborative effort that involved residents, business owners, local artists, contractors, entrepreneurs and city officials, spurred by the City of Newark but owned by the Bergen Street community.
Better Block Newark at Bergen Street actually began in April 2015 with the identification of the target block or blocks, a shortlist of immediate demonstration projects and an announcement of an unveiling date and kick-off event to include outdoor programming.
Some examples of transformations in other cities as part of the Better Block movement include turning vacant stores into art galleries, locally-run businesses and street vendors, turning bleak sidewalks into outdoor cafes with trees, and turning vacant lots into markets and gathering places.
Here’s what it looked like Saturday in Newark.
