Slideshow - Bethel, Vermont, Main Street Gets Better Block Makeover Publications and Resources

Main Street Gets a Makeover

See how a weekend transformation made downtown Bethel Vermont pop

Bethel Better Block

In 2016, the planning group partnered with in the town of (pop: 2,030) to demonstrate how placemaking and community design influence successful aging, health, economic vitality and overall livability.

The Roadmap

The event took place over a weekend in early October and featured temporary "pop-up" businesses, street modifications, new public spaces and many other small interventions aimed at improving livability in the downtown corridor.

Bird s Eye View

Bethel was a great place for a Better Block demonstration project because it featured a good street (suitably named Main Street) that could be made better.

Closed for Business

Among the reasons Bethel benefited from a Better Block intervention was that many of its downtown buildings, including this historic one at , were vacant and in need of a facelift.

Open for Business

During the Bethel Better Block weekend, pop-up shops and services took upoccupency in the building's street-level spaces.

Take a Closer Look

This bird's eye view image shows three demonstration projects that were added to improve Main Street's walkability.

Pedestrians Crossing

Stripes added to the crosswalks and curb extensions enhanced by landscaping bulb-outs helped alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians and reduced the crossing distance from one side of the street to the other.

No Parking

Two parking spots were taken over for the weekend and transformed into spaces where people (rather than cars) could spend the day.

Sidewalk Dining

The floorspace within the two parking spots provided room enough for both a pop-up taco stand and a dining area.

Sidewalk Stories

Sidewalk seating and dining brings activity and activities to Main Street. The food stand generated $900 in revenue during the three-day event.

The Blue Lane

The most noticable change to Main Street was the addition of a dedicated, 700-foot-long walk-bike lane. (The lane borders were created by using straw wattles.) The Blue Lane concept originated in Denmark. Bethel was its first use in the U.S.

Street Signage

A volunteer is shown spray painting an image of dancers, which was one of the several icons used to indicate that the Blue Lane welcomed all kinds of non-motorized means of getting around.

Before and After

Small, seemingly discarded spots of greenery can be opened, tidied and shared as outdoor public spaces.

There was Transit Too

After the weekend event, the private transit operator that was used to get visitors in and out of the downtown decided to add a permenant route through Bethel.

A Parklet for the People

When the weather is nice, it's nice to have a place for sitting outside.

After the demonstration weekend, Bethel received a grant from the Vermont Arts Council to beautify public spaces with art. This fish-themed mosaic decorates a retaining wall on the way into town.

Welcome to the Video

See more scenes from the Bethel Better Block weekend and learn about the damage caused to the town when Tropical Storm Irene swept through in 2011. Watch the or about how the demonstration came to be. Slideshow published January 2017 Updated October 2019

Learn More

Read how Bethel was able to prove its potential — and watch the before and after video:

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