In 2016, the planning groupTeam Better Blockpartnered withAARP Vermontin the town ofBethel(pop: 2,030) to demonstrate how placemaking and community design influence successful aging, health, economic vitality and overall livability.
The Roadmap
The event took place over a weekend in early October and featured temporary “pop-up” businesses, street modifications, new public spaces and many other small interventions aimed at improving livability in the downtown corridor.
Bird’s Eye View
Bethel was a great place for a Better Block demonstration project because it featured a good street (suitably named Main Street) that could be made better.
Closed for Business
Among the reasons Bethel benefited from a Better Block intervention was that many of its downtown buildings, including this historic one at257 Main Street, were vacant and in need of a facelift.
Open for Business
During the Bethel Better Block weekend, pop-up shops and services took upoccupency in the building’s street-level spaces.
Take a Closer Look
This bird’s eye view image shows three demonstration projects that were added to improve Main Street’s walkability.
