About Bench

our approach

Identify latent opportunities to revitalize and reinvent main streets, downtowns and commercial centers through meaningful community & stakeholder engagement paired with strong local and global inspirations.

facilitate

Build an understanding of stakeholder desires while sharing examples of what’s possible.

ideate

We’ll put our collective heads together and scour our experiences and the world for the best placemaking project ideas that could fulfill stakeholder desires.

collaborate

Present ideas and inspirations from all over the world for interventions for stakeholder feedback and final ideation.

empower

Support communities as they work to turn their shared visions into reality and turn tired spaces into vibrant places.

iterate

All placemaking is iterative. After the first interventions, we’ll continue to engage, plan and help you and your community build and adapt to early success and the inevitable missteps.

the team

Placemakers, City Champions, Community Advocates, Artists, Creatives, Outdoor Enthusiasts.

Ebrahim Varachia

Principal

Community Strategist

Ebrahim is the President & Co-Founder of Patronicity, a civic & community...

Jonathan Berk

Principal

Creative Director

Jonathan is a passionate advocate for the power of main streets and downtowns and is...

Bridget Anderson

Lead Consultant

Community Advocate

My first memory is watching the sun come up from the porch swing of my small Indiana...

Mahala Clayton

Consultant

MUP

Defining herself as both a City Mouse and a Country Mouse, Mahala split the time...

Tim Heaphy

Web Developer

Code Jockey

Tim is a technologist with a passion for the things that can make a difference in...

Barbara Lash

Marketing Director

Artist

Barbara is a multi-talented, veteran marketer, designer, and artist. She developed...

bench consulting