Walkable News

Garland hosts festive outdoor street installation with Better Block

Expect vendors, picnic benches, and bright colors.

Better Block

The city of Garland is dipping its toe into the "placemaking" realm this weekend with a street installation on Clara Barton Boulevard, northwest of downtown Garland.

The two-day event takes place Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8, with vintage pop-ups, free workout classes, drinks from Lakewood Brewing, face painting, DJs, dance performances and live-painting of a mural on the corner of 601 Clara Barton.

The city is partnering with The Better Block Project to re-envision the street and inspire residents to think more creatively about public spaces, with a goal of making Garland a more vibrant place to live, work, and gather.

Possible changes to the roadway could include greenery and landscaping, art, shade, improved walkability, and opportunities for community gathering.

The city hopes to test ideas and get feedback that'll be incorporated into the long-term urban design plan for the revitalization of the Valoris Healthpark Garland Medical District.

Better Block is doing the temporary demonstration, but it'll be Dallas-based Studio Outside (AT&T Discovery District, Big Tex Circle) with the City of Garland who implement the permanent master planned improvements.

The launch will have various programming throughout the weekend that include pop-ups from Lakewood Brewing, face-painting with A Grateful Artist, a Tik Tok booth, and music from DJ Jose Guevara, plus scheduled events as listed below.

Friday, October 7, 4-8 pm

6-7 pm: Zumba Class
6:30-7 pm: performance by Anastasia Flores Dance Company
5-8 pm: artist demonstration

... plus pop-ups from Lakewood Brewing, face-painting with A Grateful Artist, a Tik Tok booth, and music from DJ Jose Guevara.

Saturday, October 8, 11 am-3 pm

11 am-12 pm: Yoga and Zumba with Summit Gym
12-1 pm: mobile spin class with Studio E Fitt

... plus Boogie Nights Vintage, free flu and COVID shots, face-painting with A Grateful Artist, and music from DJ Jose Guevara.

Artist Haylee Ryan will begin the installation of a 3,600-square-foot mural on the corner of 601 Clara Barton. Ryan is known for her "past meets present" style of artwork in the commercial/residential mural space and also in the fine art world.

sustainability

Homeless News

Downtown Dallas homeless service Stewpot lands bigger better space

The Stewpot

It's official: The Stewpot, a community program that serves the homeless, has a new home. According to a release, First Presbyterian Church of Dallas — the organization that oversees the Stewpot — has acquired the CitySquare Community Center building at 1610 S. Malcolm X Blvd. where the StewPot will soon reside.

“This new facility will allow us to better deliver our programs and continue to support the 12,000 people served annually by CitySquare’s Neighbor Resource Center and Food Pantry programs,” said Brenda Snitzer, executive director of The Stewpot.

The Stewpot is a community ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Dallas. Established in 1975, it began with a concerned group of church members who started preparing lunch for the congregation's homeless and hungry neighbors.

It serves those experiencing homelessness and poverty. Its programs have tripled in size in recent years, and the ministry has outgrown its current space at 1835 Young St. across from the church.

When CitySquare announced earlier this year that it would cease operations and sell its property by the end of the year, First Presbyterian leaped in to make a bid on the space. Members voted on Sunday, December 8 to approve the acquisition. The closing is scheduled for Friday, December 13. The Stewpot will begin moving into the new space later this month.

As a part of the acquisition, The Stewpot will continue two of CitySquare’s core programs: its Food Pantry and its Neighbor Resource Center, which helps people with housing options, SNAP, WIC, healthcare, financial assistance, and mental health services.

The property is a mile from The Stewpot’s current facility on Young Street, across the street from the church. With this acquisition, The Stewpot will move its operations and offices, while continuing to serve more than 1,000 meals daily at The Bridge downtown.

charity downtown