Note: this online form was created by local residents to solicit community input on an upcoming event. Montgomery County Planning Department and the Better Block Foundation are not responsible for the content on this webpage.

The Montgomery County Planning Department and the Better Block Foundation are co-hosting a special initiative to reimagine part of Burtonsville’s commercial center as a lively, dynamic public space. As part of the Burtonsville placemaking initiative, a community festival will be held on October 5-6 to bring together residents, visitors, local government, business owners, nonprofits, and representatives of civic associations. More information about the Burtonsville Placemaking effort is available at the Planning Department website.

Join us at the June 4 Kickoff event

The public is invited to a “kick-off” event on the evening of June 4 to learn about the concept of "placemaking" and to brainstorm ideas for the festival (for more information and to RSVP, please visit tinyurl.com/better-burtonsville-kickoff).

Where do you think we should hold the festival?

The location of the festival has not been determined yet. There are currently two candidates:

Site 1 is along “Restaurant Row” on MD 198, more or less from Cuba De Ayer to Chapala.

This is the same location where the “Taste of Burtonsville” festival was held in October 2017.

Site 2 is Burtonsville Crossing along US 29A, also known as the “old” shopping center

The Burtonsville Crossing shopping center has been mostly vacant since 2010.

The Planning Department project managers have invited several community leaders and the property owners to visit both sites on Monday, June 3 to help determine which site has a) the most community support, and b) the most potential to meet the objectives of the Better Block project. In order to maintain a manageable group size, the event organizers asked that the site visit be invitation-only.

However, that doesn't mean you can't voice your opinion!

In preparation for our site visit, the “Build a Better Burtonsville” group has created an online survey to provide feedback on the placemaking event location and programming. Below is a list of considerations provided by the Better Block Foundation.

When selecting the site, keep in mind:

• The block length should be between 200 and 400 feet
• The block should have continuous building frontage on either side
• There should be an active and engaged local community
• Look for spaces with potential for activation in the public and private realm
• Many sites typically have overbuilt roads and minimal pedestrian infrastructure. Look for potential ways to reorient the street to enhance the pedestrian experience and promote multi-modal transportation options.

We encourage you to think about what you want to see at the festival and fill out the survey on this page to help the event organizers decide where to hold the event.

We need volunteers

Pulling off a great festival involves many steps. We will establish seven teams to ensure all of the following tasks are covered. Below is a list of the main responsibilities of each.

Marketing

• Lead will handle all communications and outreach to the community about the event, including social media, the webpage, and printed materials.
• Run Facebook content
• Webpage content
• Develop marketing materials to promote the event
• Reach out to media and organize press
• Find photographers/videographers for the weekend of
• Report on the weekly call to the team what has been done to promote the Better Block that week and any needs

Volunteer

• Lead will coordinate the recruiting of volunteers to help with the build and tear down of the Better Block
• Act as primary contact for anyone who wants to volunteer
• Manage website volunteer forms
• Set volunteer schedule for build/tear down
• Be onsite to direct volunteers day of build/tear down
• Report on weekly call about how many volunteers we have and what skills we have in that group

Materials and Wikiblock

• Organize a materials list from build data and concept map
• Acquire material (ask for donations)
• Find area to store materials
• Inventory and organize materials
• Find someone to take materials after build
• Report on call what materials we have and what we need
• Create a Google doc build list that everyone can add to
• Reach out to potential workshops

Programming

• Work with partners to find performers for programming (music, art, theater, etc.)
• Develop a program schedule two weeks out that can be marketed
• Be on-site to help performers figure out where to go
• Ensure you have everything they need to perform

Vendors

• Find vendors for the event to have pop-up shops
• Make a list of vendors with a contact and what they do/sell
• Find out what the vendors need to set up
• Develop a plan for the vendors in conjunction with the concept map
• Figure out permitting needs of vendors at least 2 weeks before the project
• Report on weekly call what has been accomplished/needed

Fundraising

• Identify potential donors
• Set up meetings to make asks for donations
• Track donations
• Recognize donors

City Liaison

• Identification of necessary permits in coordination with the vendor committee
• Identification of city codes that may inhibit redevelopment in the area

Privacy Policy: Your contact information will not be shared outside of the festival planning committee. Responses (including contact information) may be shared with the Montgomery County Planning Department and the Better Block Foundation solely for the purposes of planning and promoting the festival. You will be signed up to receive email updates on the "Build a Better Burtonsville" campaign in accordance with our privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Who we are: “Build a Better Burtonsville” is a group of local volunteers advocating for the revitalization of Burtonsville. While we are excited for the opportunity to partner with the Planning Department and Better Block Foundation in planning the festival, we are not directly associated with either organization, and thus, this flyer does not necessarily represent their views.