Three Charlotte projects are among the winners of this year’s Knight Cities Challenge, which will award $5 million to fund 37 city-based projects nationwide.
“Each of the ideas centers on helping cities attract and keep talented people, expand economic opportunities and create a culture of civic engagement,” The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which sponsors the annual challenge, said in a statement.
The 2016 challenge attracted more than 4,500 proposals. The Charlotte winners are:
• CrownTownHall by the city of Charlotte | $85,000 | submitted by Jason Lawrence
Helping residents more easily connect with their local government and get involved with civic issues through pop-up events where they can meet elected officials, sign up for city services, and review area planning efforts.
• Can Do Signs by the city of Charlotte | $27,900 | submitted by Sarah Hazel
Rethinking municipal signs that typically tell people “what not to do,” to spur fun, imagination and positivity throughout Charlotte; the project will create signs that provide amusing, enchanting, fun options: You can dance! You can sing! You can skip!
• Queen City Quiz Show by Charlotte Is Creative | $85,000 | submitted by Tim Miner
Creating a mobile quiz show that will team local musicians and artists with cultural groups to entertain, enlighten and challenge diverse communities with questions about the city from the trivial to the pertinent and controversial.
Winning proposals must take place in or benefit one or more of the 26 communities where the Knight Foundation invests.
See the full list of 2016 winners.
