Building a Better Block in Downtown St. Joseph: How You Can Help
By: Sarah Hatten
Updated: March 19, 2013
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) Some enticing changes underway for a grassroots coalition, aimed at giving downtown St. Joseph a facelift.
Better Block St. Joe is now accepting donations for the May event, and they're working to make it worth your while.
It's no secret that downtown St. Joseph hasn't always been a local hot spot, but those working with Better Block St. Joseph are hoping to give that mentality a makeover.
"People can come down here and see these businesses and maybe they've got a good idea for a business. It's very inspirational. Not only from that aspect, but it's kind of inspirational for people to say yeah, that's cool. There really is something going on downtown," said Becky Boerkircher, of the St. Joseph Downtown Partnership.
Better Block transforms empty storefronts and fills them with temporary pop-up businesses for one weekend.
The latest target for the grassroots coalition is Francis Street, between 7th and 9th streets.
It's scheduled for the beginning of May, but planning is underway and so is fundraising. This time it's a little different.
"We needed to go above and beyond and this was a new tool to experiment with to raise more money," said Gunnar Hand, Transportation Planner with Public Works Department.
Instead of just asking for money, Better Block is using a website to attract donations, and it comes with perks.
"If you donate $10, we'll print your name on a banner it will be at Better Block on May 3 and 4. [If you donate] $25, you get a t-shirt. For $50, we'll give you a t-shirt a certified poster, we're currently hosting a competition for design posters," said Hand.
The added incentive will likely boost cash flow, and also spark interest in the weekend itself.
"Financially, yes, but they have to come down to Better Block to get their perks if they submit, so we wanted to get people down to the space to see what it is but also an easy way to donate their money," said Hand.
The goal is to raise $2,000 and draw as many people as possible to the downtown area.
Better Block is still looking for volunteers and pop-up businesses to apply.
For more information, contact Roni Mauer with MO-KAN at (816) 233-3144. Or visit the Facebook Page here.
Better Block St. Joe is now accepting donations for the May event, and they're working to make it worth your while.
It's no secret that downtown St. Joseph hasn't always been a local hot spot, but those working with Better Block St. Joseph are hoping to give that mentality a makeover.
"People can come down here and see these businesses and maybe they've got a good idea for a business. It's very inspirational. Not only from that aspect, but it's kind of inspirational for people to say yeah, that's cool. There really is something going on downtown," said Becky Boerkircher, of the St. Joseph Downtown Partnership.
Better Block transforms empty storefronts and fills them with temporary pop-up businesses for one weekend.
The latest target for the grassroots coalition is Francis Street, between 7th and 9th streets.
It's scheduled for the beginning of May, but planning is underway and so is fundraising. This time it's a little different.
"We needed to go above and beyond and this was a new tool to experiment with to raise more money," said Gunnar Hand, Transportation Planner with Public Works Department.
Instead of just asking for money, Better Block is using a website to attract donations, and it comes with perks.
"If you donate $10, we'll print your name on a banner it will be at Better Block on May 3 and 4. [If you donate] $25, you get a t-shirt. For $50, we'll give you a t-shirt a certified poster, we're currently hosting a competition for design posters," said Hand.
The added incentive will likely boost cash flow, and also spark interest in the weekend itself.
"Financially, yes, but they have to come down to Better Block to get their perks if they submit, so we wanted to get people down to the space to see what it is but also an easy way to donate their money," said Hand.
The goal is to raise $2,000 and draw as many people as possible to the downtown area.
Better Block is still looking for volunteers and pop-up businesses to apply.
For more information, contact Roni Mauer with MO-KAN at (816) 233-3144. Or visit the Facebook Page here.
