Phoenix District 1st Annual Better Block Event

Today is the official kick-off for a relationship building gathering, open to all residents of the newly organized Phoenix District Working In Neighborhoods group. It’s Friday September 8, 2023 and there’s a lot of excitement in North Tulsa Oklahoma. N. Peoria & E. 36th Street Event Center is the future hub of North Tulsa community activities. The event will continue Saturday, September 9th (tomorrow) from 11 AM – 3 PM. There’ s over 20 vendors that will be there and performers throughout the event.

Mission of Better Block Event

The better block foundation revitalizes and activates blocks in underutilized neighborhoods by building a mock-up marketplace in collaboration with the Phoenix Development Council, the George Kaiser Foundation,Crossover Community Center, and the City of Tulsa’s Vibrant Neighborhoods Partnership, we have worked with the community to reimagine this lot at East 36th Street North as a vibrant place to live, work and gather as a community. The pop-up marketplace will remain for 90 days for small businesses, entertainers and organizations to utilize free of charge.

Related Activities of the Better Block Event

The Phoenix District better block is an example of place making. Defining place making is tricky, as it’s something that is personal to every neighbor in a community. For the Better Block, we see placemaking as creating outdoor spaces people want to be in with the people who want to be there. It can take many different forms–such as murals on the ground or digitally fabricated street furniture or narrower streets that allow for more space for pedestrians. And the ultimate goal of placemaking is as varied as it’s definition. for some, it’s allowing for moments of peace. For others, it’s a chance to bump into a stranger, having a conversation, and walk away with the neighbor. And for other’s, it’s about economic vitality, creating an environment where people want to hang out and spend money.