Welcome to Summer 2026!

The Starter Block is back for summer.

A temporary downtown gathering space for local retail, recreation, events, and community connection.

Located at 123 Lacey Street, the Starter Block turns an underused downtown block into a flexible public space for small businesses, pop-ups, performances, workshops, family activities, and everyday gathering. Come visit, bring an idea, rent a chalet, host an event, or help shape what happens next.

What is the Starter Block?

What began as a winter experiment in reclaiming downtown space, with ice skating, snow sculptures, sledding, lighting, and community gathering during one of Fairbanks’ coldest winters in over a century, now continues into summer as an evolving place for activity, creativity, and connection. The Starter Block is designed to explore what’s possible when space is opened up for people first: flexible, local, low barrier, and shaped over time by the community itself.

This summer, the block will continue to grow through rotating programming, public events, recreation, local retail, pop-up activations, and community partnerships. Whether you’re visiting for an afternoon, looking to host an event, interested in renting a chalet, or simply hoping to share ideas for what downtown could become, the Starter Block is intended to be a welcoming place to participate, experiment, and help shape the future of Fairbanks together.

Summer Programming

Retail

Small shops, maker markets, food vendors, artist booths, bike rentals, and local pop-ups.

Recreation

Free and low-cost activities that invite people to linger downtown: lawn games, bikes, family play, seating, shade, music, art, and casual gathering.

Relationships

Community events, workshops, meetups, performances, volunteer days, and programming that helps Fairbanks connect across organizations, neighborhoods, and generations.

View Calendar

Amenities

What You'll Find on Site

Chalet vendor spaces, flexible pop-up areas, seating, public gathering space, family-friendly activities, bike-friendly access, event space, and rotating community programming.

Amenities will continue to grow through the summer as partners, vendors, volunteers, and community ideas come online.

Visit the Block

Chalet / pop-up Application

Apply for Space

Want to Test an Idea Downtown?

The Starter Block offers low-barrier space for small businesses, artists, makers, nonprofits, food vendors, recreation providers, and community groups to try something temporary, seasonal, or experimental.

Apply for a chalet rental, weekend pop-up, market booth, workshop, or community activation.

Good fits include:
local retail, handmade goods, rentals, demonstrations, youth activities, art, food, music, public workshops, wellness, games, and downtown-serving services.

Survey

Have a idea you cant wait to share?

The Starter Block is intended to evolve through community ideas, partnerships, and experimentation. We want to hear what would make you excited to spend more time downtown — from events and recreation to vendors, amenities, workshops, art, music, and unexpected ideas. Share your thoughts through the community survey and help shape what comes next.

Public Input Survey

Friends of the Block

Helping build the next iterations of downtown

The Starter Block is made possible through collaboration, creativity, and community support. Friends of the Block includes the businesses, organizations, sponsors, volunteers, and partners helping bring energy, resources, programming, and momentum to downtown Fairbanks. Their support helps keep the space welcoming, active, experimental, and accessible throughout the season.

Labor | Materials | Both!

Core Team:
- Julie Jones, Chris "Uncle Gizmo" Tilly, Duncan Meyers, Corey DiRutigliano
Volunteer corps:
- IUOE 302, The Sorum-Ritchie Family, Schemper-Hill Family, Mike Sanders, Faustine Bernadac
City of Fairbanks Public Works
- Rink building (Roy, Alex, Tim, Malakai, Corey, Vince, Kayla)
- Snow Clearing (Jeremiah Cotter, Silas, Chris, Duncan)
- Chalet Shuffle (Robert, Josh, Craig, James, Byron
Hutch High Construction Trades
- (Mr Cross, + students)
Stews Electric
Vertex
Browns Electric
Alaska Hose and Fastener
- (Rob, Jessie, Shawn)
IABA
Marja Hallsten
Kennebec Family
BuildAK

Click Here to Join Us