March 2018 Dear Broadway Merchant,
The Lorain Better Block planning committee is excited to announce that Broadway will be home to Lorain County’s first Better Block event on May 19, 2018 from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM. As a merchant on Broadway, you are vital to the event’s success and we are eager to share more information with you. Who: The event planning committee includes Lorain County Public Health, City of Lorain, Lorain Public Library, #LorainProud organizers, Lorain Police Department, FireFish Arts, United Way, Lorain Port Authority, Lorain County Community Action Agency, Lorain Historical Society, House of Jevon, The Gonzalez Family, and many community members.
What: Better Block is a celebration of the community. We want to temporarily demonstrate what the best block in the City of Lorain could look like. The streets will be filled with bike lanes, better crosswalks, improved lighting, improved sidewalks, more seating, mini parks, local vendors, and pop-up shops.
Where: Downtown Lorain, on Broadway between 5th Street and 8th Street. Traffic patterns will change and street parking on Broadway will be temporarily unavailable from Friday, May 18 at 4:00 PM through Saturday, May 19th at 9:30 PM. Why: Better Block Events have been successful tools in communities around the world to engage citizens in streets that are designed for all types of road users. Better Block is good for: ● Local Businesses by encouraging pedestrian traffic and featuring pop-up shops that encourage entrepreneurial spirit
● Bicyclists and Pedestrians by expanding the livable space in the streetscape that is available to these users and slowing down vehicle traffic for safer routes ● Local Art by allowing artists and groups to express themselves and local culture while engaging residents ● Entrepreneurs who will have a chance to participate in food sales and pop-up shops
How to get involved: There are many ways to take part in Lorain Better Block on May 19th. A few suggestions are… ● Extend your business hours to accommodate Better Block participants. Not unlike FireFish, there will be many people out and about Broadway on this day, especially from 12-8 PM. The street will remain open to vehicular traffic. ● Help make the block, better! Consider decorating your store front and extending your operation of business onto the sidewalk on this day. For example, you can add patio furniture or racks of goods in front of your location to grab the attention of passersby. ● Promote this event. Let your patrons know that Lorain Better Block is coming. Remind them that parking availability will be on side streets rather than ON Broadway from 4:00 PM on 5/18 through 5/19 at 9:30 PM. Consider hanging Better Block posters (to be provided) and sharing social media posts to promote! ● Earn more business or exposure. If you are interested in being a food or goods vendor on this day, contact us for a vendor application. This is only needed if you would like to set up an additional space in our “vendors” area in vacant city lots. You can also consider keeping your bathrooms open to the public and offer “Better Block” discounts or perks for patrons who visit your location on May 19! Contact: For more information on any of the above information, please get in touch! General: contact The Lorain Better Block Team at
[email protected] Vendor Interest: contact Bart at
[email protected] More info: www.LorainBetterBlock.com Thank you for your partnership! 2
