Focusing on strengthening assets, Healthy Blocks works to improve resident confidence. This leads to their greater economic and social re-investment to improve the neighborhood’s image, encouraging homebuyer interest and supporting long-term residency. NeighborWorks® Rochester’s other lines of business also contribute to the success of Health Blocks; for example, home improvement loans are offered to all Healthy Blocks neighborhoods, past and present, for a further reduced rate and with a waived application fee. Healthy Blocks measures its impact through tracking house sale data (including asking and sales prices and days on market) and taking resident confidence and property conditions surveys in years one, three, and five. Our “legacy neighborhoods” and the projects organized by Healthy Blocks are:
Swillburg Neighborhood (2005-2010)
- Implemented a “unifier” project to visually connect the area – decorative house plaques with the Swillburg logo, still in use today
- Organized a ‘group purchase’ of driveway replacements for homeowners and landlords, which came at a discount from the contractor
- Helped residents plan and build a gazebo in Otto Henderberg Park, used for concerts and social events
- Installed branded gateway signage around the entrances to the neighborhood, giving Swillburg a distinct “district” feel
- Saw the average house price increase from $48,000 to its more historic value of $82,000 by the end of the Healthy Blocks term
- Membership in the Swillburg Neighborhood Association increase by more than 40% and resident participation in social activities increase by 20%
- Realtor’s Association uses the name “Swillburg” when selling property in the area
Brooks Landing Neighborhood (2007-2013)
- Helped organize annual community skate parties at the Genesee Valley Park skating rink
- Held a barbecue and music event at the University of Rochester footbridge for students and community members
- Implemented 10 Makeover Madness matching grants for residents for exterior home improvements
- Held an pop-up art gallery on Genesee St. for First Friday featuring neighborhood artists
- Planted over 200 perennial plants in the spring of 2012, and over 300 daffodil and tulip bulbs in the fall
The Pocket Neighborhood (2008-2013)
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- Launched an identity/marketing campaign using the residents’ choice of name, “The Pocket”, including logo creation and street banners along Atlantic Ave.
- Organized the installation of colorful, artistic crosswalks along Atlantic and E. Main designed by a local artist and painted by residents
- Helped to create a community garden on a vacant lot on Heinrich St. and organized its further expansion later by adding six new raised beds, constructing three new public sitting benches, and planting over 400 daffodil bulbs
- Installed over 200 matching house plaques, over 75% of the neighborhood
- The average sale price per square foot of homes increase over 20% between 2008 and 2012
The Triangle Neighborhood (2014-present) 
- Launched the initiative in 2014 with a “Taste of the Triangle” party drawing over 150 participants and engaging residents, local businesses, and community partners
- Installed four artistic bike racks at the Culver-Merchants Point created by local metal fabricators
- Completed a branding campaign including the neighborhood’s name, logo, brand statement, and website that has begun to be used widely around Rochester
- Designed, printed, and began distributing Welcome Wagon packets and gifts to new neighbors in the Triangle
- Held multiple social events including three pub crawls featuring Triangle Merchants Association member businesses and a pop-up First Friday gallery in a vacant commercial space with partners from Gallery Q and Image Out
- Helped to form and engage a Triangle planning group that meets monthly
- Between 2014-2016, average home sale prices, resident confidence, feelings of safety, and ‘house proud’ levels all improved significantly
- Other community projects, including gateway signage, a mural, and micropark at the Cobblestone house are underway
