Lorain’s Broadway corridor came alive on Saturday, August 9, as residents turned out for the city’s third Better Block event and the first since 2019. The pop-up demonstration showed how wider sidewalks, defined bike space, and traffic-calming features could change the feel of the street.
Organizer Eric Newsom of Lorain Proud said the day was designed to let people “see and feel” potential changes, then share feedback. According to Newsom, the city has secured state funding through the Ohio Department of Transportation to improve the corridor, and the temporary setup served as a public engagement tool. Survey stations on site allowed visitors to react to the layout and offer ideas for the planning stage.
Families drifted between live music, art tables, and vendor tents. Organizers emphasized that the event was meant to be welcoming and that people did not need to spend money to take part.
Representatives of the FireFish Festival were also on hand. They invited residents to what they described as the 10th anniversary celebration on September 20, with an environmental theme, an expanded parade, and a book of stories from last year’s event.
Saturday’s Better Block was a preview, not a promise. The feedback collected on the street will be shared with city staff and partners as they shape final designs. The day ended with a clear takeaway for many who stopped to talk: slower traffic, safer crossings, and small design choices can change how a street works for everyone.
Video: Lorain Daily live coverage of the August 9, 2025 Better Block event on Broadway in Lorain, featuring music, art, and community feedback on upcoming street improvements.⬇️