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March 2023
City Speaks is your monthly connection to what's going on in Charlotte government. Here you will find the latest information on city initiatives, services, events and programs, and other relevant, trending topics.
Help us connect with people across the Queen City; share the newsletter with your friends, your family and your community. Subscribe at publicinput.com/cityspeaks.
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After One Year of Violence Interruption, Beatties Ford Road Sees Fewer Homicides By Firearm
Early data from Beatties Ford Road are showing a decrease in homicides committed with a firearm, compared to similar neighborhoods, since the City of Charlotte began violence interruption efforts in the area.
The city launched the Alternatives to Violence (ATV) program in the Beatties Ford Road and Rozzelles Ferry Road Corridor of Opportunity in August 2021. The city recently completed the first year of a three-year evaluation of the program, conducted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s urbanCORE. In its first year, the evaluation focused on the effectiveness of the program’s implementation and its outcomes.
Results demonstrated that individuals who interacted with ATV gained the knowledge and skills that protect them from violence.
Violence interruption treats shootings and killings as a public health concern by detecting and addressing conflicts before they escalate, identifying and treating individuals likely to be involved in violence, and changing social norms. Outreach workers create a personalized violence reduction plan for individuals to help them avoid decisions that lead to violence.
In November 2022, the city received $2 million from the federal government, thanks in part to U.S. Rep. Alma Adams’ office, to implement two additional ATV sites at West Boulevard and Remount Road, and Nations Ford Road and East Arrowwood Road.
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City Holds Workshops for Community Planning
The City of Charlotte Planning, Design & Development Department has announced a series of workshops for the community to become involved in shaping future development in specific areas of the city.
As part of the Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Planning process, the city will work collaboratively with residents to develop draft plans for 14 geographic areas that together span all of Charlotte,” said Alysia Osborne, project manager for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. “These plans will be used to inform future development and capital investment decisions.”
City staff will host a number of in-person and virtual workshops for each of the 14 locations for residents to provide input on the development of their community. Registration is required. Workshop dates and times can be found on the city's website.
Residents may use the city's interactive map to find the location of a specific address within the 14 geographic areas.
In addition to providing input on the community area planning process, participants can speak with staff from multiple city departments to answer general questions and collect information on interdepartmental initiatives.
"The area planning process is coming to every neighborhood in the City of Charlotte,” said Alyson Craig, interim planning director. “Now is the time to make your voice heard as we continue implementing the vision of the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan."
Residents can learn more about community area planning and register for the workshops at cltfuture2040.com.
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Charlotte Social Districts Continue to Move Forward
Charlotte’s first social districts — designated outdoor areas where people can carry open alcoholic beverages — could be established in the Plaza Midwood and Lower South End neighborhoods as early as May.
Local interest in social districts grew after the North Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation in October 2021 that allowed cities to establish social districts. The City Council voted to allow social districts in Charlotte in August 2022 and in the fall began accepting community proposals for social districts.
The Plaza Midwood Merchants Association and Glide Brewery in Lower South End (or LoSo) were the first groups to express interest in applying. City staff continues to work with these early applicants, helping to refine the applicants’ plans before they submit a full application to the city.
After the city receives a full application, the public will be invited to comment on a proposed social district during a City Council meeting, possibly as early as April. Council members would vote to adopt any proposed district at a subsequent meeting, possibly in May.
The application process will remain open for neighborhoods and businesses to submit proposals in the future; there is no deadline.
Businesses within the boundaries of a district can choose whether and how they will participate.
Proposals must include a plan for signage to indicate district boundaries and rules, a plan for managing health and safety in the district, and proof of community outreach and engagement. Environmental considerations are also important, including managing litter, finding recyclable or reusable options for the required social district cups, and whether a district will create additional trash.
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Learn About Charlotte’s Council-Manager Form of Government in New Series, "GOV101"
Have you ever wondered why Charlotte has a mayor and a city manager? Or what differences exist between their roles? In this first episode of "GOV101" the City of Charlotte is taking a deeper look at the city's council-manager system.
Stay tuned to this new video series as we dive into some basic, but often overlooked, questions about how the Queen City runs.
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Share Your Priorities for the Next City Budget
The Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Survey is open through April 6 to give residents an additional way to get involved in the city's annual budgeting process. Residents can rank their priorities for the next budget, which the Charlotte City Council will adopt in June to go into effect July 1.
The results of the survey are shared with the City Council and city staff, and are used to make more informed decisions. Although this survey seeks the opinions of Charlotte's residents, the city acknowledges that the results cannot be generalized as representing the opinions of all Charlotte residents.
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"Behind the Crown" Featuring Firefighter Talor Lee
"Being a firefighter for the City of Charlotte is the best job in the world. You're not going to get better than this."
As a firefighter with the Charlotte Fire Department, Talor Lee is working her dream job that started when she was a little girl. Learn more about Lee's journey, from visiting stations with her father — a diesel tech still working on Charlotte Fire vehicles — to being a Camp Ignite participant, and now a member of Charlotte Fire Battalion 1.
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