St. Paul, Duluth vie for community improvement grants
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has named seven Minnesota projects as finalists for a $5 million dollar pool of grant money for community improvement projects.
Five proposals from St. Paul and two from Duluth are among the 126 finalists for the Knight Cities Challenge.
They include a proposal from St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, who wants to make public spaces friendlier to bikes and pedestrians. In Duluth, a local architect has proposed creating a new public park on the city's waterfront.
It's unclear how many finalists will get funding, says Knight Foundation Program Director Polly Talen.
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"Some of these projects could be proposing something quite modest," she said. "Some could be proposing something quite large. We won't know that, until we get these applications that are due Feburary 1."
The proposals are designed to benefit one of the 26 cities where the Knight family once owned newspapers. The foundation received more than 7,000 submissions. It will announce winners after its board meets in March.
St. Paul proposals
4 Play by Greater MSP: "Changing the way people perceive the city and its climate by inviting all residents to come together for an outdoor activity -- whether it's ice fishing or summer canoeing -- once each season."
8-80 Vitality Fellow by Mayor's Office, City of St. Paul: "Promoting a livable St. Paul by embedding a fellow in the city who ensures that walking, biking and public spaces are a priority in all city projects."
MSPassport by Greater MSP: "Enticing former residents to move back to the city by creating an app filled with reasons to return, plus employment and civic opportunities."
MN Nice Breakers by Jun-Li Wang: "Making the city more welcoming by creating a series of events to introduce newcomers to the city so they can quickly establish social networks."
Rolling Out the Warm Welcome Hat by Jun-Li Wang: "Welcoming newcomers by having city leaders hold a ceremony for them each month and providing them with a welcome gift in the form of a warm hat for Minnesota winters."
Duluth proposals
The St. Louis River: One River, Many Stories by University of Minnesota, Duluth: "Igniting community conversation by inviting local news sources to dedicate one month of coverage to the St. Louis River and its environmental issues, history and economic opportunities."
WESTuary Park by Peter Stauduhar: "Transforming a former industrial site on Duluth's waterfront into a new public park."