Finalists announced in Knight Cities Challenge

Five innovative ideas for how to improve the quality of life in Macon stand a chance to receive funding and be brought to life later this spring.

The Knight Cities Challenge, in its second of three rounds, invited anyone from anywhere to submit ideas in October for projects that improve life in any of the 26 communities benefiting from philanthropy of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Winners, to be announced in March, will receive a portion of $5 million to pay for the execution of their idea.

More than 4,500 ideas were submitted nationwide, and a couple hundred of those were from Macon, said Beverly Blake, Macon program director for the Knight Foundation. And of the 158 finalists, five are from Macon.

"The common thread is taking what's great about Macon, whether it's our history ... whether it's the wonderful sense of place we have here," Blake said. "(Finalists' ideas are) all about envisioning a better Macon by bringing us together to imagine and actually do something that's different and new and terrific."

Only three questions were asked in the first application round, but Macon's five finalists must submit a more detailed application for funding if they are to advance in the contest.

Here are Macon's five finalists:

David Moore's idea for a "Macon General Store" would transform a vacant storefront into a marketplace that gives rising entrepreneurs the opportunity to sell local products, according to a news release from the Knight Foundation.

Deborah-Patrice Hamlin's idea, called "The Tindall Project: Voices From the Hood," would highlight Tindall Heights' musical heritage while cultivating and showcasing new talent in the historic Tindall Heights housing project through a series of events and interviews.

Ethiel Garlington, executive director of the Historic Macon Foundation, submitted an idea called "Neighborhood Incubator," in which a network of neighborhood associations would be created.

Stephen Lawson, director of Macon-Bibb County's Parks & Beautification Department, submitted an idea for an intergenerational pop-up park to encourage connections among a cross-section of people ranging in ages, backgrounds and income levels.

"As a park person, my pop-up park idea is to keep it permanent once we pop it in there," Lawson said of the green space at Oak Haven and English avenues.

Lawson said he chose the spot, which isn't far from the Kroger on Pio Nono Avenue, because of its proximity to a neighborhood association, grocery store, apartments and seniors center. A walking trail, picnic tables, benches and handicap-accessible exercise equipment are among the amenities Lawson said he envisions.

Josh Rogers, president and chief executive officer of NewTown Macon, wants to create a "Pop-Up Minimum Grid," in which temporary bike lanes are created for people to walk or cycle safely on a trail spanning from the Ocmulgee River to downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

"Most of the time in urban design, we just show people pictures of what we're going to do," Rogers said. "What we'd want to do is flood the streets with people to show what it would be like if this infrastructure existed."

Two finalists also were chosen from Milledgeville.

Georgia College wants to transform a strip mall into an attractive oasis of trees, grass, benches, umbrellas and shops "where people from diverse backgrounds can gather and connect," according to the news release.

Also, Twin Lakes Library System wants to create a shared space downtown near Milledgeville City Hall, a makerspace and a library. The space would be used to foster civic engagement through public meetings and events that gather residents and leaders together to problem solve, according to the release.

For those applicants not chosen as finalists for this round, Blake said she would like to speak with them about getting funding from other Knight grants.

"Our job, really, is to be supportive of great ideas and help those great ideas become reality," Blake said.

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Finalists announced in Knight Cities Challenge ."