Title
Knight Foundation Grant: North End Smart District
Action
Action:
A. Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for the North End Smart District, and
B. Adopt a budget ordinance appropriating $60,000 from the Knight Foundation for the North End Smart District in the Neighborhood Grants Fund.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Phil Reiger, General Services
Sarah Hazel, City Manager's Office
Explanation
* In December 2019, the Knight Foundation awarded the City of Charlotte $60,000 to fund ongoing smart cities work in the North End Smart District in Council Districts 1 and 2.
* The city applied for the one-year grant, which will allow residents to collaborate with government, nonprofit, and private sector partners on projects including:
* Urban Arboretum Trail Community Youth Engagement through Mobile Application Development:
* The Urban Arboretum Trail is a component of a larger tree canopy preservation program, consisting of smaller properties where trees are preserved and amenities are added to create meaningful connections with neighbors through public space.
* Through the inclusion of smart technologies, the city will engage youth in the planning and use of the trail.
* The grant may be used to purchase supplies and materials needed for public engagement activities, or to fund the delivery of digital community engagement products.
* The city is not required to provide matching funds for this grant.
Background
* The North End Smart District, comprised of eight neighborhoods (Genesis Park, Park at Oaklawn, Greenville, Brightwalk at Historic Double Oaks, Druid Hills, Lockwood, Optimist Park, and Graham Heights), optimizes infrastructure and services for public good through partnerships between government, companies, universities, and neighborhoods.
* Smart cities initiatives leverage technology, data, and partnerships to deliver city services more effectively and improve quality of life for residents.
* ...
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