Long Beach wins 2 Knight Cities Challenge grants

Two Long Beach projects are among 37 across the country that will receive a share of $5 million in funding from the Knight Cities Challenge, officials aounced Tuesday.

The wiing proposals include a City of Long Beach project called The Outdoor Office, which will transform a portion of Harvey Milk Park into a high-powered wifi space; and a proposal from City Fabrick to develop a kit for creating temporary pop-up social spaces at voting polls.

Each of the wiing ideas from across the country centered on helping cities attract and keep talented people, expanding economic opportunities and creating a culture of civic engagement, according to a statement from the foundation. Other wiing ideas included exploring Detroit’s untold history through monthly bike tours, using hip-hop to provide business training to members of low-income groups in Philadelphia and creating a new cultural hub in West Palm Beach’s Northwest Historic District.

The City of Long Beach awarded $300,000 for The Outdoor Office, which officials hope will serve as a crossing and meeting point for creative professionals and amateurs from local offices, light rail and bus passengers, along with shopping patrons, students and others.

“I envision small groups gathering together and capturing ideas on an outdoor chalkboard, teens and adults alike charging devices in the shade, and workers tucked into comfy chairs responding to emails on their tablets,” Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez said in a statement.

City Fabrick, a nonprofit design studio, received $153,600 for its “Placemake the Vote” proposal, submitted by Brian Ulaszewski. In collaboration with Long Beach City Clerk Maria de la Luz Garcia, the nonprofit will develop a kit for creating temporary spaces near voting polls in historically low voter tuout areas to encourage people to vote.