CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 11, 2022) – The Charlotte Urban Design Center has awarded grants for the current round of the city's Placemaking Grant Program. The program provides funding and technical support for projects that create and enhance community vibrancy, safety and identity.

Project types include:

• Activation of leftover and/or underutilized spaces.

• Streetscape improvements.

• Art and beautification efforts.

• Creation of community gathering spaces.

The current grant pool of approximately $208,000 builds upon the opportunities presented in the city's Placemaking Hub, which provides toolkits to inspire and guide placemaking efforts. Additional funding was made available for projects that achieve carbon reduction goals, provide education on environmentally sustainable practices, address climate change and/or advance the city's Strategic Energy Action Plan.

Many projects were created in conjunction with members of the Charlotte Urban Design Center's pool of artists, who were commissioned to create original compositions.

The following projects have been awarded funding and are expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2022.

• The Evolved University City Farmer's Market

• Applicant – Jordan Harris.

• Organization – University City Partners.

• Project – Enhanced farmer's market facilities.

• Budget - $9,000.

• Oaklawn Revitalized

• Applicant – Laine Amortegui.

• Organization – Oaklawn Language Academy and neighborhood.

• Project – Neighborhood branding and street mural.

• Budget - $10,000.00.

• Derita Bus Stop Benches (In collaboration with the Office of Sustainability & Resiliency)

• Applicant – Hasheem Halim.

• Organization – Saturn Atelier and Inspired Plastics.

• Project – Custom bus stop benches from upcycled plastic.

• Budget - $5,000.00.

• Rita's Italian Ice Five Points Mural

• Applicant – Lo'Vonia Parks.

• Organization – Self represented artist.

• Project – Wall mural.

• Budget - $15,000.

• Freedom Riders Pocket Park

• Applicant – Marcia Kirkpatrick.

• Organization – Westchester Community Development.

• Project – Pocket park.

• Budget - $18,000.

• Brooklyn Collective Technical Assistance Grant

• Applicant – Gwendolyn Jackson.

• Organization – Brooklyn Collective.

• Project – Technical assistance workshop and playbook.

• Budget - $5,000.

• Events at the Green at Prosperity Village

• Applicant – Shika Raynor.

• Organization – Prosperity Village Neighborhood Association.

• Project – Events at a city open space.

• Budget - $15,000.

• Hazelton Drive Sidewalk Mural

• Applicant – Hilary Larsen.

• Organization – South Park area neighborhoods.

• Project – Sidewalk mural.

• Budget - $6,000.

• Profiles of Beauty

• Applicant – Dwayne Wilson.

• Organization – Lower South End.

• Project – Wall murals.

• Budget - $5,000.

• We Are One!

• Applicant – Cynthia Harrison.

• Organization – Health Empowerment Renewal.

• Project – Street mural.

• Budget - $15,000.

• Camp Greene Beautification

• Applicant – Ashley Dorado.

• Organization – Historic Camp Greene Neighborhood Association.

• Project – Signal cabinet wraps.

• Budget - $5,000.

• Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Center Panel Murals

• Applicant – Anne Lambert.

• Organization – VAPA.

• Project – Wall murals.

• $25,000.

• Crosswalk Into Camp

• Applicant – Davita Galloway.

• Organization – Camp North End Neighborhood / North End Community Coalition.

• Project – Wall murals and street murals.

• $25,000.

• Echo Hills Gathering Area

• Applicant – Brandon Dombroski.

• Organization – Echo Hills neighborhood.

• Project – Parklet in underutilized right of way.

• $13,000.

• J. Charles Jones Mural

• Applicant – J'Tanya Adams.

• Organization – Historic West End Partners.

• Project – Wall mural.

• $12,000.

• Living Pillars (In Collaboration with the Office of Sustainability & Resiliency)

• Applicant – Ron Ross.

• Organization – Historic West End Green District.

• Project – Green infrastructure.

• $25,000.

Keep an eye out for additional placemaking initiatives popping up throughout the city.  Visit Placemaking website for more information about the program.