The City of Charlotte Turns 250

To mark the 250th anniversary of Charlotte's founding, a yearlong celebration called CLT250, invites residents to share and commemorate our storied past; celebrate our city's independence, ingenuity, determination, collaboration, compassion and resiliency; and imagine a successful and unified future filled with hope and opportunity for all.

Four signature CLT250 events will take place throughout the year, and communities are encouraged to take part in their own CLT250 celebrations in their neighborhoods, parks, schools, houses of worship and workplaces. Festivities will include large events and small, community-led celebrations culminating with a citywide art, music, food and film festival, Canvas, in May 2019. Learn more about CLT250 here.                  

Check out what's going on in local communities

• Civic Leadership Academy Applications Are Now Open
  Are you ready to take the next step in becoming a community leader? Want to improve the quality of life in all of Charlotte’s neighborhoods? Apply for the Civic Leadership Academy! This free course will provide participants the opportunity to grow in their leadership, analyze issues using data, connect with decision makers and other Charlotte leaders, and make a difference. Applications close July 25. Click here to learn more and to apply!
  
  

• Making the Case for Great Neighborhood Spaces
  Nearly a dozen Charlotte placemaking projects have been nationally recognized as best practices for creating livable, community-focused neighborhoods. The projects were recognized by The Center for Active Design (CfAD) in their latest report, Assembly: Civic Design Guidelines. This report captures four years of research from more than 200 studies, 50+ cities, and dozens of experts, and it provides a checklist of best practices to design public spaces that support civic life.
  
  Charlotte projects that are featured include Open Streets 704, Can-Do Signs, GovPorch, No Barriers, Rail Trail Symphony, Country Club Heights’ “Paint the Pavement” street mural at Shamrock Gardens Elementary School, Monroe Road Advocates’ “Embrace” public art initiative, and Better Block projects in the Belmont and Five Points neighborhoods.
  
  
  

•  TLC by CLT Helps to Rebuild Veteran's Home
  “Mr. Street is a disabled veteran - he just didn’t have the financial resources to make repairs. This seemingly small roof leak over years and years turned into a huge problem. It started to rot out the wall, and then the floor…you could see the sky from inside the kitchen.”
  
  This spring, Housing & Neighborhood Services partnered with Rebuilding Together, the Charlotte Hornets Foundation, Bank of America and Veteran’s Bridge Home to help rebuild veteran Bobby Street’s home so he can have a safe, comfortable place to live. Learn more about this project and how it came to be here.
  
                                                
  
  
• CharMeck311 Celebrates 13 Years
  Last week, CharMeck311 celebrated its 13th year in operation, taking more than 14 million calls for the City and Mecklenburg County in those 13 years. Happy Anniversary, CharMeck311!
  
  

• Code Enforcement Tip of the Month
  Reminder: Do not park your vehicle on the front lawn or side yard if you live on a corner lot. A $25 fine may be issued and your vehicle may be towed after multiple violations.