It's called a "test drive into the future", a Better Block event in the Glass Street neighborhood is just another step in revitalizing the once proud area.
"The residents here are great people and they deserve a healthy community just like we all do. I think anybody that walks by here can see that there used to be something here and it was a thriving community but it just needs to have some umph in it and bring some life back and that's what we are doing here," says Teal Thibaud with Glass House collective.
"This was once a very vibrant neighborhood. It still is a neighborhood for many people that live and work here. Main Street was like this at one point so to put some attention on this area and make it special and to really infuse some hope and some activity in it is just a wonderful thing," says Peggy Townsend, Chattanooga Director of Public Art.
Residents say they are looking at a change for the better.
"It's a whole lot different, and it makes the neighborhood look nice and everybody coming together and this seems like its going to be alright, It's real nice," says Gerald Robinson.
"People look like they are having a good time and everything. I'm glad it's coming back," adds Lossie D. Mahaffey.
And more changes are coming as the area grows.
"In the spring there's going to be new pedestrian lighting, benches, three new bus shelters, so things are happening. We are continuing to recruit businesses to the street and really trying to get folks that live around here to open up a business. That's really what it's all about. More people that are here taking investing in this place and really taking pride in the place," says Thibaud.
