Participatory Budgeting Projects
In the Summer of 2022, residents voted on projects for Mecklenburg County to implement that were identified by groups of citizens within each Commissioner District. The County is working to implement the projects that received the highest votes. Below is a summary of the status for each projects as of February 2024.
| District 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Amount | Status | Estimated Completion (2024 Fiscal Year Quarter) |
| Classroom Resources | $125,000 | The County engaged local nonprofit Classroom Central to assist with implementing this project. The vendor developed 'supply kits' which were distributed to 1,323 school teachers in District 1. The supply kits contained a variety of classroom essentials and were mailed directly to 40 District 1 schools in February. | Complete |
| Pollination of Green Space | $10,000 | Pollinators and wild flowers will be sowed at Clarks' Creek Park & Nature Preserve in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. 24-acres at Clarks' Creek Nature Preserve and Park will be planted with pollinator species. 24-acres of plantings at Clarks Creek completed. | 4th Quarter |
| Food Fridges | $15,000 | Public Health worked with Charlotte Mecklenburg Food Policy Council (CMFPC) to facilitate the delivery and installation of commercial refrigerators in three locations: 1) Hope House (North Huntersville); 2)Lake Norman Community Clinic NOTE:the name change to Cook Community Clinic; 3)Community Care Center -Cornelius /Davidson. The direct access community fridges supplement food baskets for low income and food insecure households or individuals. | Complete |
| Food Bank Pilot | $120,000 | Final project updates: Ada Jenkins – Completed their second 10-week cooking demonstration/tasting; participants receive "meal kits" of ingredients and recipes to cook healthy meals sampled during the demonstration—total number of participants for the second quarter: 58. Funding was also used in December to purchase an industrial refrigerator for their food pantry. Angels and Sparrows – reached 241 households to receive fresh produce in Huntersville. Bags of Hope – 3,670 food bags were distributed to 967 students. | Complete |
| North Meck Manufacturing Internships | $125,000 | The Manufacturing Internships and Support program through Lake Norman Economic Development is officially named "Pivot Project". Through the initiative, Lake Norman Economic Development was able to place 19 students from Huff, Hopewell, and Mallard Creek into paid summer internships with Manufctuering companies located in North Mecklenburg. Companies included Champion Wheel & tire, Daetwyler, Forbo, Metrolina Greenhouse, and Burhert. There were eight(8) students placed at Chamopion Wheel & Tire. 7 of the 8 were offered employment. | Complete |
| Farmers Market at North Regional | $25,000 | Public Health worked with Charlotte Mecklenburg Food Policy Council and Parks & Recreation to implement a farmers market at the Northern Regional Recreation Center. The North Meck Community Farmers Market operated every Wednesday from 9am to 1pm from May until October 4. The market was one of two sites for the inaugural Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, implemented in collaboration with DSS Senior Citizen Nutrition Program, NCDHHS and Public Health (Food Security). Eligible seniors received $50 vouchers to purchase fruits and vegetables. NMCFM was run by CMFPC; Mecklenburg County Public Health provided funding for SNAP double bucks; and Parks and Rec provided free commuter shuttles. | Complete |
| Finance Seminars and Homeownership Classes | $15,000 | Commonwealth Charlotte completed three financial seminars for high school students participating in Lake Norman Economic Development's PIVOT Program. | Complete |
| Rewild our World Pollinator Meadows | $50,000 | Parks and greenways in District 1 will be sown with pollinator species in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. | 3rd Quarter |
| District 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Amount | Status | Estimated Completion (2024 Fiscal Year Quarter) |
| Accessibility Repairs/Modifications for Senior Citizens | $125,000 | The County Manager’s Office concluded a request for proposals to support the expansion of the Critical Home Repair Program. The work will include repairs and accessibility improvements. For the Struggle - Elder Response Initiative was selected to ensure at least 8 acessibility projects are completed in District 2. Seven projects have been completed through FY24 quarter 2. | 4th Quarter |
| Urban MicroFood Forest | $30,000 | Fruit trees will be planted at the Amay James Q2-Q4 FY2024. | 4th Quarter |
| Community Educational Resource Center | $90,000 | All computers have been received by IT and are being imaged. Data lines have been installed. Computer lab furniture has been received. Labs will be operational in February 2024. | 3rd Quarter |
| Community Gardens | $50,000 | The garden at Amay James Recreation Center is in final design and will be installed in Q3/Q4 of FY24. | 4th Quarter |
| Park Fitness Equipment | $80,000 | Fitness equipment will be ordered and installed by Q3 FY24 at Fred Alexander Park. The project is in final design and grading will start in Q2 FY24 | 3rd Quarter |
| Literacy Expo | $100,000 | Literacy activities are being held during the Corridor Connect Events at West Charlotte Recreation Center (10/15/23) and Arbor Glen Outreach Center (10/22/23). Tuckaseegee Recreation Center will host a Literacy Event for Daycares on 11/13/23. Story Walks will be completed prior to 12/31/23 at Winget, Ivory/Baker, Southview, and Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Centers. Events will be held at each of those sites in the spring to celebrate the Story Walks. | 4th Quarter |
| District 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Amount | Status | Estimated Completion (2024 Fiscal Year Quarter) |
| Home Repairs for Senior Citizens | $125,000 | The County Manager’s Office concluded a request for proposals to support the expansion of the Critical Home Repair Program. The work will include repairs and accessibility improvements. Rebuilding Together was selected to ensure at least 8 acessibility projects are completed in District 3. Two projects have been completed through FY24 quarter 2. | 4th Quarter |
| Classes at the Rec Center/Indoor Play Space | $30,000 | • Reedy Creek - Completed purchase a Glowforge and is utilized for programming. • Methodist Home- Theatre equipment and supplies for the center’s theatre program have been pruchased. Funding completed for the Mural drawing in the gym. Final payments for Theatre performances will be done in May. • Sugaw Creek - Purchased Disc Jockey (DJ) equipment to offer DJ classes to the community. Mural project is in process and design is pending approval. | 4th Quarter |
| Space for Children/Teens to Gather | $15,000 | Computers and Mifi's have been received by IT, installation is set for end of January 2024 at Sugaw Creek. | 3rd Quarter |
| Seating Benches in District Greenways | $80,000 | Bench locations have been identified and concrete pads have been installed for the benches. Benches have been installed and locations to be shared. | Complete |
| Little Free Libraries | $5,000 | Park & Rec has ordered and received 11 Little Free Libraries (LFL). These libraries will be installed at Libraries and Parks within District 3 by the end of 2023. | Complete |
| Digital Community Information Kiosk | $125,000 | Public Information is exploring options to expand digital kiosks at existing County locations | 4th Quarter |
| District 4 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Amount | Status | Estimated Completion (2024 Fiscal Year Quarter) | |
| Big Belly Trash Cans | $75,000 | Six Big Belly trash cans have been received. An additional four trash cans have been ordered for a total of 10 trash cans. Trash cans have been installed. | Complete | |
| Grier Heights Park Improvement | $50,000 | Park & Rec conducted a community meeting for park improvement ideas, including an on-line survey. Amphitheater renovations have been planned, including new electrical service, repairs to seating, and retaining walls have been selected. Project has been completed. | Complete | |
| Sumer Camp Free Tuition | $125,000 | A total of 73 youth participated in 8 weeks of Aquatic Camps held at Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center and Ray's Splash Planet. 10 youth from Albemarle Road Recreation Center participated in an Outdoor Skills Camp at Stevens Creek Nature Preserve. 16 Teens completed a 4-day Outdoor Adventure Camp in Boone NC. 4-week 1/2 Day Nature Camp at Winterfield Elementary had 4 participants. Equipment for camps. | 4th Quarter | |
| Mason Wallace Park Refresh | $50,000 | Full court basketball repairs and access trail work is scheduled for completion between Q1 FY24 and Q2 FY24. The half court is complete and full court has been paved and received protective coating. | Complete | |
| Playground at McAlpine Park | $125,000 |
| 3rd Quarter | |
| Arts in Parks | $75,000 | Park & Rec will offer four events during Q3 and Q4 - First Ward Park/February, Kilborne Park/March, Independence Park/April, Sheffield Park/May. | 4th Quarter | |
| District 5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Amount | Status | Estimated Completion (2024 Fiscal Year Quarter) |
| Green Corridors Tree Planing | $10,000 | Park and Recreation is working with Trees Charlotte, with all trees planned for planting by the end of calendar year 2023. Trees have been installed. | Complete |
| Improvements to Ramblewood and Archdale | $125,000 | Locations selected for new benches, picnic tables and other amenities. Installations planned for completion in Q3. | 3rd Quarter |
| Butterfly Gardens | $10,000 | Coordinating locations in parks and along greenways for installation of pollinators completed by Q3/Q4 FY24. | 4th Quarter |
| Water Bottle Filters | $48,000 | Received water bottle fillers and installations planned for completion by end of 3rd quarter. | 3rd Quarter |
| Park Safety Systems | $120,000 | 911 system kiosk mock-up signage design has been completed. New signage for phase 1 has been installed. Completion planned by end of 4th quarter. | 4th Quarter |
| Mural Art | $30,000 | Park & Rec is partnering with Charlotte is Creative to design and paint murals on the side of Marion Diehl Rec Center. Participants of all ages and abilities will work on the project from design through completion. Opening reception will occur in Q3. | 3rd Quarter |
| Community-Based Mental Awareness Outreach | $30,000 | We are planning two events in District 5 for March 2024 (dates TBD) to engage and educate residents about ongoing behavioral health initiatives and available mental health resources as part of the Participatory Budget request. We will also be producing and distributing informational behavioral health resource guides to participants and various community partners in the district. | 3rd Quarter |
| Reading Nooks at Rec Centers | $35,000 | Outdoor reading nook on the patio at Marion Diehl Recreation Center, adjacent to the new greenway is complete. Tyvola Senior Center room construction is complete, waiting on ordered furniture and books. | 3rd Quarter |
| Air Pumps on Greenways | $50,000 | All air pumps stations have been received and installed at identified locations along greenways in District 5. | Complete |
| District 6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Amount | Status | Estimated Completion (2024 Fiscal Year Quarter) |
| Connect 6 -Greenway to Street Connectors | $100,000 | There are few opportunities to make additional connections to existing greenways within District 6, and no connections that could be made within the allocated funding. Park and Recreation will look for opportunities to add connectors as part of upcoming greenway projects. If connectors are not feasible then funding will be used to expand the usability of the greenways in the District. | 4th Quarter |
| Farmers Market Support and Promotion | $25,000 | Partial funding in the amount of $11,900.00 was issued to support capital costs and promotion, such as the repair of vendor stalls, promotional material/signage, flyers, renovation of educational space permanent covering, storage cabinets, and a refrigeration unit in District 6. | Complete |
| Park Safety Systems | $125,000 | 911 system kiosk mock-up signage design has been completed. Phase 1 has been completed and the remaining signage will be installed by the end of Q4 FY24. | 4th Quarter |
| Biodiversity in Parks | $50,000 | Steven's Creek and Flat Branch Nature Preserves will have pollinator areas planted (~8ac) and a formal existing planted area replaced/enhanced at Flat Branch Nature Preserve by Q2 of FY24. Seeding at Stevens Creek completed 9/23. Pollinator garden at Flat Branch parking lot completed 10/23. | Complete |
| Solar Trees | $125,000 | Park & Rec have identified vendors that can provide shaded tables and benches with solar charging stations. Possible site locations at Sportsplex at Matthews, Colonel Francis Beatty Park and Elon Park. Installations planned to be completed by the end of Q4 FY24. | 4th Quarter |
| How ART Thou? Greenway Art Project | $50,000 | Contracting with Charlotte is Creative to activate Little Sugar Creek Greenway between I-485 and Polk Historic Property. Working with Elon Park Elementary and South Charlotte High School to paint the storm drain manhole covers along the greenway. Offering spoken word events at Polk Historic site in March and April. | 4th Quarter |