Enhance Your City's Urban Design With Get Government Money

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Last week we told you about these awesome new sidewalk shelters in New York City-a nice example of a city taking a creative approach to urban design while including the community in a city's own beautification. In similar news, the National Endowment for the Arts is asking mayors to come up with creative ways to support design and the arts in their cities, and they're going to fork out some money to the best ones. Fifteen $25,000-to-$250,000 grants will be given out to cities with plans for design projects that enhance public spaces, supports cheap housing for artists, or create arts districts in downtown areas.Among the things they're looking for:

The promotion of design and the arts to enhance livability and as central components for the development and enhancement of new or existing public spaces -- such as parks, public buildings, libraries, memorials, streets -- through architecture, streetscapes, pedestrian bridges, neighborhood gateways, and sustainable parks and landscapes.The revitalization of neighborhoods that focuses on preserving the historic value and heritage of existing buildings... This includes affordable housing for artists and others, artist studios or live/work space, and entrepreneurial new creative sector business development.The transformation of community sites into public spaces for cultural activities.

Of course, these are not huge amounts of money we're talking about, but symbolically, it's a nice move. It's also nice to see that the slightly controversial allocation of stimulus money to the NEA is being put to good use. Guidelines here.Where do you live? What would you like to see bettered in your city?