The Wellness Dividend: Designing Healthier, Happier Places with Bill Mahar
Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Episode 105
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“It’s a place for everybody to just do their thing.”
That’s how Bill Mahar, Principal at Norris Design, describes the community garden that transformed him into a true believer in the power of “third places.” In this episode of dot dot dot, Bill joins Molly Casey to unpack health-centric placemaking, the idea that our streets, parks, and public spaces should be designed with mental, physical, and social wellbeing in mind. Bill explains why the loneliness epidemic has made third places (those spots that are neither home nor work) more essential than ever, and how something as simple as a tree-lined sidewalk or a pollinator garden can add up to what he calls “the wellness dividend” – a real, measurable return for developers and communities alike.
Drawing on nearly two decades of experience across the public and private sectors, from the City of Fargo to his current role at Norris Design, Bill shares how his time on both sides of the table has shaped a career built on collaboration rather than compromise. As an active member of the Urban Land Institute and 2026 ULI Colorado Member of the Year, he offers a hopeful view of how planners and developers can build places that feel safe, connected, and enduring, no matter how communities continue to change.
Discussed in the Episode:
Norris Design
Frederick Law Olmsted
Central Park, New York City
Denver Urban Gardens
Urban Land Institute (ULI)
ULI Colorado
Bill Mahar on LinkedIn
About Bill Mahar:
Bill Mahar is a Principal at Norris Design, where he brings over 18 years of experience in urban planning, landscape architecture, and community engagement to projects across the country. His work sits at the intersection of planning and public health, integrating principles of health-centric design to build walkable, connected communities. Bill’s background spans both the public and private sectors, including work with local government in the City of Fargo and a federal grant partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focused on health and the built environment. An active member of the Urban Land Institute, Bill serves as a National Health Leader and a member of the Public Development and Infrastructure Council, and was named 2026 Member of the Year by ULI Colorado. He also serves on the Design/Health Advisory Council at the University of Colorado Denver and sits on the board of Denver Urban Gardens, championing the role community gardens play in neighborhood wellbeing and connection.
About Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast:
Dot Dot Dot is the continuing conversation around art in the built environment. Episodes explore art, culture, placemaking, and more with a range of reputable art and business leaders. Tune in biweekly to learn how an original art experience can boost your business and make a positive social impact. Episodes are available wherever you get your podcasts!
