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Imaginations ran wild with ideas for temporary installation on 4900 block of Second Avenue

By Juliet Martinez, managing editor

Photos by Juliet Martinez

The July Greater Hazelwood community meeting gave participants online and in person a chance to dream big about the kinds of things they want in the neighborhood. Some of these dreams will become reality in a temporary installation with the assistance of the Better Block Foundation. The process started in July will have its finale on the 4900 block of Second Avenue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 26.

Hazelwood Initiative Executive Director Sonya Tilghman introduced Better Block to meeting attendees. The urban design nonprofit works is based in Dallas, Texas, but works around the country. Their goal is to help people reimagine the spaces in their neighborhoods.

Better Block Executive Director Krista Nightengale explained that when people get together to imagine and create a temporary space in their area, they get to try out a range of ideas. This lets them see what works, what doesn’t, and what they want for the future of their neighborhood.

The organization takes these ideas and translates them into reality. They use a CNC router, which cuts out plywood into furniture parts that can be assembled without nails, screws or glue. And they load all the pieces into a shipping container that, when everything is removed and assembled, doubles as an indoor space in the installation.

The ideas

Better Block landscape architect Jonathan Zoccoli led a short but productive design charette where those attending in person worked together to put their ideas onto aerial photos of the former S&R Market lot on the 4900 block of Second Avenue. Those attending online used a whiteboard site where they could draw simple pictures and write in their suggestions.

In all, more than 30 different ideas came out of the 10-minute exercise. One group suggested activities that seniors living in Hazelwood Towers might enjoy, like horseshoes, pickleball and bocce ball. Another group suggested a ground mural to make the space more vibrant, possibly with a memorial theme honoring those who have lost their lives in Hazelwood. Others suggested creating shaded spaces, benches, picnic tables and activities like bingo and checkers.

Some groups suggested larger structures like a pop-up bookstore, bus shelter, a market and a performance venue. This could house a place for karaoke, video gaming (with bean bag chairs), or more uncommon performances like glass blowing, ice sculpture and demonstrations by students of Hazelwood’s free youth welding program, Industrial Arts Workshop. Keeping families in mind, one group suggested a play area on the unpaved part of the lot and a water feature. A suggestion for decorative garbage bins came with the thought that they could be beautiful as well as useful.

When asked about accessibility, Ms. Nightengale said the AARP helped Better Block design furniture that is accessible to wheelchair users and parents with strollers. A participant raised the issue of hearing and vision accessibility, suggesting interpreters and displays that would allow people with sensory disabilities to participate fully. Another idea was to provide balloons during musical performances, allowing deaf and hard-of-hearing people as well as those with typical hearing, to feel the music’s vibrations.

Getting involved

Each of these projects starts the same, by gathering community input, Ms. Nightengale explained. The Better Block team then calls for volunteers to help through a variety of roles.

The Hazelwood Better Block is seeking volunteers to fill these roles:

• Marketing coordinator to promote and help publicize the event.

• Volunteer coordinator to recruit and direct community volunteers.

• Materials coordinator to source and manage materials and supplies.

• Programming coordinator to plan activities and entertainment.

• Vendor coordinator to contacts and organize vendors.

Volunteers who take on these responsibilities are paid a stipend by Better Block Foundation. These roles require:

• Attendance at weekly virtual meetings starting on Aug. 26 (at a day and time that works for most).

• Spending a couple of hours each week on tasks related to their role.

• Helping as much as possible during the week of installation (even if only a few hours here and there).

• Attending the Oct. 26 event from 11a.m. to 3 p.m.

To find out more, or express interest in any of these roles, email project manager Azael Alvarez at azael@betterblock.org by Aug. 5.

The organization has three other projects in Pittsburgh this year. The cultural district installation at Eighth Street and Penn Avenue was on July 26. A lot next to the Valley Point YMCA in New Kensington will be transformed for a few hours on Sept. 21. The last installation will be in McKeesport in November.

Learn more at www.betterblock.org.