Volunteers from the First Lutheran Church in downtown Fort Lauderdale sell home-baked goodies to visitors on Saturday June 16, 2012 during Build A Better Block. The national rapid urban revitalization program came to the 500 block of Northwest First Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale to transform it into a destination for people to come to socialize, buy art, plants and food. MARSHA HALPER

The warehouse-lined 500 block of Northwest First Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale was transformed into an arts destination on Saturday, June 16, 2012 thanks to Build A Better Block, a national rapid urban revitalization program. The block, in the FAT (Flagler Arts and Technology) Arts District, was transformed into a destination for people to come to socialize, buy art, plants and food during Build A Better Block. MARSHA HALPER

Sara Nichols carries a surfboard Adirondack chair made by her son, Zander Nichols, to serve as seating for visitors to Build A Better Block -- a national rapid urban revitalization program in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Nichols's gallery, Samsara Folk Art, was among the pop-up businesses and art installations in the FAT (Flagler Arts and Techology) Village Arts District targeted for the project along the 500 block of Northwest First Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale. MARSHA HALPER

At left, C&I Studios event manager Jazmine Orlovsky and Executive Director Joshua Miller set up a portable backdrop for visitors' use during Build A Better Block -- a national rapid urban revitalization program that visited Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, June 16, 2012. MARSHA HALPER

Marianne Quinn and Matt Edge, both of Coral Springs, assemble a platform in preparation for Build A Better Block -- a national rapid urban revitalization program that visited Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Quinn, a May 2012 Florida Atlantic University graduate majoring in urban planning, and Edge, a Broward College architecture student, were among scores of volunteers for the project along the 500 block of Northwest First Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale. MARSHA HALPER / Miami Herald Staff

A girl walks around a giant sculpture in the Projects Space on Saturday June 16, 2012 during Build A Better Block, a national rapid urban revitalization program in the 500 block of Northwest First Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale. MARSHA HALPER

A hand-painted sign welcomes visitors to Build A Better Block, a national rapid urban revitalization program in the 500 block of Northwest First Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, June 16, 2012. MARSHA HALPER

Alison Herman and her 2-1/2-year-old daughter Bondi admire the Florida Atlantic University Plastic Moment artwork in the Projects Space during Build A Better Block on Saturday, June 16, 2012. MARSHA HALPER

Plant lovers browse in the Flagler Village Nursery outdoor market on Saturday June 16, 2012 during Build A Better Block. MARSHA HALPER

Foot, bicycle and even Fort Lauderdale Police horse traffic ambles along the 500 block of Northwest First Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, June 16, 2012 during Build A Better Block, a national rapid urban revitalization program. MARSHA HALPER / Miami Herald Staff

People relax at shaded tables during Build A Better Block, a national rapid urban revitalization program that came to the 500 block of Northwest First Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, June 16, 2012. MARSHA HALPER

The Fort Lauderdale water tower is visible above visitors to Build A Better Block, a national rapid urban revitalization program in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, June 16, 2012. MARSHA HALPER

People walk into a gallery on Saturday June 16, 2012 during Build A Better Block, a national rapid urban revitalization program in the 500 block of Northwest First Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale. MARSHA HALPER / Miami Herald Staff

South Florida artist Brian Buzzella painted a 32-foot abstract piece (this is a portion of it) for Build A Better Block -- a national rapid urban revitalization program that visited Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Buzzella was among scores of volunteers for the project along the 500 block of Northwest First Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale. MARSHA HALPER / Miami Herald Staff