Glass House Collective has been acting upon the belief that Glass Street has the potential to become a thriving commercial corridor and vibrant urban neighborhood. We have adopted the theory that creative, physical, and community-driven investment produces real and lasting results.

Following a nationally recognized model of public re-visioning, GHC facilitated a Build a Better Block event on February 23.

Over the course of four months, teams of residents, artists, architects, and supporters of the Glass Street community partnered with one another to build planters and plant trees, paint storefronts and build out pop-up shops, design and paint crosswalks and murals, schedule a series of event activities for all ages, and install community banners to showcase the new Glass Street brand.

And then, on February 23, their hard work paid off. More that 1,200 people filled the street. They shared food, browsed pop-up shops, danced to music, and created together. They watched as artist Charlie Brouwer attached the last of the 452 ladders to the Rise Up sculpture. The sense of pride and accomplishment among those who made the event possible was truly contagious. Better Block successfully proved this is not a forgotten neighborhood and life can return to vacant urban spaces.

Outcome:
1200 People Attended
8 Pop-up shops and commercial venues
$2,600 Estimated total vendor revenue
19 temporary murals installed
800 Children engaged creating artwork
200 Glass Street brand T-shirts distributed

Media:
Times Free Press, Better Block Reviving Glass Street
WRCB ,Glass House Collective continues work for a ‘Better Block’ on Glass Street
WTVC, Volunteers Build a Better Block East Chattanooga
WDEF, Glass Street Area Getting Much Needed Face Lift
WUTC NPR, Transforming Glass Street from Outside In
Barlew.com, Urbanism in Chattanooga
Better Block Video

The idea for a new public space on Glass Street was developed through a series of visioning meetings.

With the support of Hefferlin+Kronenberg Architects, local designer Matthew Parks created and tested designs for the space with people from the neighborhood. Is it functional? Is it beautiful? What resources do we need to make this happen? This learning process continued into the construction phase of the project as well. On-site problem-solving was led by local designer Joshua Jorgensen,  Chattanooga-based artist Rondell Crier, and resident Travis Yeagley.

A plaque thanking all those involved was unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony with local elected officials and neighborhood association leadership. Now, our neighbors have a new and beautiful space for interaction and enjoyment on Glass Street – built by and for the community.

Outcomes:
25 people engaged
$2,600 worth of donated materials
230 hours of volunteered time

The idea for a new public space on Glass Street was developed through a series of visioning meetings.

With the support of Hefferlin+Kronenberg Architects, local designer Matthew Parks created and tested designs for the space with people from the neighborhood. Is it functional? Is it beautiful? What resources do we need to make this happen? This learning process continued into the construction phase of the project as well. On-site problem-solving was led by local designer Joshua Jorgensen,  Chattanooga-based artist Rondell Crier, and resident Travis Yeagley.

A plaque thanking all those involved was unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony with local elected officials and neighborhood association leadership. Now, our neighbors have a new and beautiful space for interaction and enjoyment on Glass Street – built by and for the community.

Outcomes:
25 people engaged
$2,600 worth of donated materials
230 hours of volunteered time

Glass House Collective has been acting upon the belief that Glass Street has the potential to become a thriving commercial corridor and vibrant urban neighborhood. We have adopted the theory that creative, physical, and community-driven investment produces real and lasting results.

Following a nationally recognized model of public re-visioning, GHC facilitated a Build a Better Block event on February 23.

Over the course of four months, teams of residents, artists, architects, and supporters of the Glass Street community partnered with one another to build planters and plant trees, paint storefronts and build out pop-up shops, design and paint crosswalks and murals, schedule a series of event activities for all ages, and install community banners to showcase the new Glass Street brand.

And then, on February 23, their hard work paid off. More that 1,200 people filled the street. They shared food, browsed pop-up shops, danced to music, and created together. They watched as artist Charlie Brouwer attached the last of the 452 ladders to the Rise Up sculpture. The sense of pride and accomplishment among those who made the event possible was truly contagious. Better Block successfully proved this is not a forgotten neighborhood and life can return to vacant urban spaces.

Outcome:
1200 People Attended
8 Pop-up shops and commercial venues
$2,600 Estimated total vendor revenue
19 temporary murals installed
800 Children engaged creating artwork
200 Glass Street brand T-shirts distributed

Media:
Times Free Press, Better Block Reviving Glass Street
WRCB ,Glass House Collective continues work for a ‘Better Block’ on Glass Street
WTVC, Volunteers Build a Better Block East Chattanooga
WDEF, Glass Street Area Getting Much Needed Face Lift
WUTC NPR, Transforming Glass Street from Outside In
Barlew.com, Urbanism in Chattanooga
Better Block Video

Join Glass House Collective and the greater Chattanooga community for a National Day of Service event honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 21st from 9am to 1pm.

Volunteers will meet at 9am in front of 2523 Glass Street to receive their marching orders, and then disperse for a morning of beautifying storefronts, cleaning up the street, painting buildings, and other projects. Bundle up and come ready to make a difference!

We’ll be providing pizza and drinks for all volunteers, so let us know you’re coming and RSVP to info@glasshousecollective.org.