Editor’s Note: This story is part of a month-long series that highlights 31 ideas included in the “Mansfield Rising” plan. The 67-page document was created by 15 local leaders after attending the South by Southwest Conference last March in Austin, Texas.
Idea 10: Develop “Better Block” Parties
MANSFIELD — Mansfield residents struggle with self-loathing.
Fostering a sense of ownership and community will be critical to the success of the “Mansfield Rising” plan. The design of public space should be a community activity.
Powerful but low-risk events can be used to draw people downtown. Using the “lighter, quicker, cheaper” method for temporary events and installations can gauge community interest in more permanent implementation. This can include activities like neighborhood block parties, pop-up retail stores, temporary art exhibits, food truck festivals, oversized or life-sized board games, and “parklets.”
Suggestions and funding for such projects should be crowdsourced. Projects will then be realized based on public interest and support, thus increasing the likelihood of their success.
The idea is to get away from the notion of “there’s nothing to do in Mansfield.” Instead, to think about the importance of having fun.
An effective method to introduce the concept to the public and city hall is to showcase a “Better Block” project. Started in 2010, “Better Block” projects consist of a rapid two- to three-month planning effort with a week-long build and transformative event day including resources from an engaged community. This would temporarily improve the physical and economic environment on a specific city block.
For example, “A Better Block Project” on North Diamond Street would showcase how to repurpose underutilized spaces and beautify potential eyesores.
While North Diamond Street is an important connection and through-way for local residents, it currently is used to cut through downtown at maximum speed. It is bordered by parking lots and buildings not oriented to the street This scenario creates zero sense of place.
Yet this thoroughfare has an important role to play in the growth and continued evolution of downtown.
A few suggestions include reducing traffic by converting it to a two-way street along most of its length; increasing the width and attractiveness of the sidewalk; reorienting the public spaces of Central Park, City Hall and the County Courthouse; and providing safer pedestrian crossings.
These changes will make it more attractive for mixed-use development that complements Main Street. Over time, with proper development controls, infill development and redevelopment will be oriented toward the street. This will result in higher-density and mixed-use businesses, creating a vital location for office, housing and commercial uses.
These changes, over time, could redevelop North Diamond Street into a Business District destination.
Join us for a live discussion of the “Ideas of March” series and the “Mansfield Rising” plan on Thursday, April 4.
Cost: Variable depending on event with a range of $500-$2,500. Largely using available resources.
Partners: City of Mansfield Streets Department, Regional Planning, Richland Public Health, volunteers, City of Mansfield Parks Department, North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Downtown Mansfield, Inc., Destination Mansfield, Little Buckeye Children’s Museum, Richland Source
Timeline: Three-six months to plan and 12 months to implement along the entire block. Once there is buy-in, aim to incorporate these as permanent changes. These projects are quickly and easily implemented and could start right away. They should continue indefinitely to maintain community involvement and help create an ever-changing downtown landscape.
