Street party to promote amenities

‘Parklets’ coming to Broadway

A street party planned in May will seek to show how Broadway in Lorain could benefit from a “complete street” policy.

Lorain Better Block will be a daylong celebration to “demonstrate what the best block in the city of Lorain could look like,” according to plans. It will be noon to 8 p.m. May 19 in the areas from Fifth to Eighth streets on Broadway.

“With the help and input of the community, we will be transforming Broadway in the heart of downtown Lorain,” said the Lorain Better Block event description.

That means Broadway would get bike lanes, better crosswalks, improved lighting and sidewalks, more seating, mini parks, a beer garden, local vendors and pop-up shops.

On April 16, event planners pitched the idea to Lorain City Council and found support among the city lawmakers.

The goal is to revive an area through health,

safety and economics, said Katherine Bray, health education specialist for Lorain County Public Health, which is coordinating efforts of a number of partner agencies. She spoke with planners Eric Newsome, who is coordinating volunteers, and Bartholomew Gonzalez, who is scheduling vendors.

The group found a warm reception from Council.

“I think this is a great event, it’s a great celebration for the community,” said Ward 3 Councilwoman Pamela Carter.

She suggested enrolling Lorain High School students as volunteers for the event.

Ward 2 Councilman Dennis Flores represents that stretch of Broadway and he wants to wear Lorain Better Block on his sleeve, literally.

“Whether they’re free

or for sale, I want a Lorain Block T-shirt,” he said, prompting chuckles from the crowd.

Council President Joel Arredondo, Ward 5 Councilwoman JoAnne Moon and Councilman-at-Large Joe Koziura also spoke in favor of the event.

There are at least three ways to help:

• Consider volunteering or promoting the event for volunteers.

• Vendors can sign up for space to sell their wares. Vendors must pay a $50 deposit that will be returned when they arrive May 19 on Broadway.

• Come out to enjoy the event. Lorain Better Block is free and open to the public.

Newsome noted it will take place after the morning community activities of Lorain County Pride Day, so Pride Day volunteers are especially welcome to attend.

“Pride Day has been about making Lorain a better place for a long time,” he said. “And what we wanted

to do is offer a place where the people who are participating in that event can celebrate the work that they’ve accomplished and also look toward the future. What can Lorain look like in five years or 10 years so we don’t have to clean up so much trash every year?”

Along with vendors, people and nonprofit groups may apply to create “parklets,” or temporary green spaces with items such as fake grass, benches, chairs, tables, temporary signage and giveaways.

More information is available at www.lorainbetterblock.com.

As word spreads about Lorain Better Block, the planners said they can make arrangements by phone.

For more information, vendors can call Gonzalez at 440-872-1159 and volunteers can call Newsome at 216-313-2300. For information about parklets, Sara Tillie of Lorain County Public Health can be reached at 440-322-6367.