Five Detroit organizations are among 33 winners of the Knight Cities Challenge for 2017 that will share $5 million. There were more than 4,500 applicants.
The Knight Foundation program is designed to help spur civic innovation.
Local winners from among 21 finalists are:
Atwater Beach
Recipient: Detroit RiverFront Conservancy
Award: $225,000.
Aim: Further activating the Detroit waterfront by creating an inviting, urban beach along the city’s Atwater Street.
Better Buildings, Better Block
Recipient: Building Community Value
Award: $150,000
Aim: Providing a pipeline for minorities into real estate jobs, by teaching the fundamentals of small-scale property development and providing initial project financing.
Design Center in a Box
Recipient: City of Detroit Planning and Development Department
Award: $205,000
Aim: Promoting civic engagement by creating pop-up city planning offices where residents can connect with city staff and others to exchange ideas and become informed about the design and planning work happening in their neighborhood and the city.
Detroit Slow Roll
Recipient: Detroit Bike City
Award: $129,400
Aim: Leveraging the 25,000 cyclists who participate and showing how to engage Detroit’s nonprofit sector, and drive renewal.
Happy 18th Birthday Citizenship Kit
Recipient: Citizen Detroit
Award: $101,000
Aim: Celebrating Detroiters becoming eligible to vote by sending mailing a "citizenship kit" on their 18th birthday.
A full list of recipients nationwide is here.