The Year in Ideas

A restaurant on top of the water. On-the-go city planning meetings. And a battle royale between public pianos and community gardens. It’s been quite a year for community-generated ideas.

For MindMixer’s last Idea of the Week of 2014, we’re taking a look back at the year in ideas, and featuring some of our favorites from the engaged people who are committed making their communities better

“…A restaurant surrounded by glass, built above and centered on top of the river…” – Andrew, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

One of the most popular ideas of the year is part of a conversation on CRTalks that revolves around identifying opportunities for improvement in Cedar Rapids. Andrew’s idea was to create a restaurant that sits atop the water, taking advantage of the Cedar River with stunning views and a glass floor for wildlife viewing.

“…Streetcar service around downtown would increase walkability and make it possible to live a pedestrian lifestyle…” – Robert, Phoenix, Ariz.

Cities near Phoenix have benefited from streetcars, and Robert on Talk Transportation thinks it’s time the Valley of the Sun jumps on board. His vision for Phoenix transportation is of a streetcar that connects different activity centers in the city, giving locals and tourists alike a more pedestrian option to get around town.

“…A walking tour with meeting participants will help everyone familiarize themselves with the site context…” – Thomas, Toronto, Ontario

What better way to give people context on public projects than by taking them directly to the locations in question? That’s Thomas’ suggestion at Toronto’s IdeaSpace. Rather than meeting in a conference room, Thomas wants to see the public get a first-hand look at the projects they’re helping shape.

“…Why not have regular events to give people pride in their communities…” – Ken, Hagerstown, Md.

The civic pride is palpable in Hagerstown, Md., and Ken wants to encourage even more of it in his idea at engageHagerstown. Rewarding people for their efforts to beautify their neighborhoods, be it through lending neighbors a hand or picking up a stray candy wrapper, Ken says these small acts should be recognized with block parties and other celebrations, and the city agrees.

“…I would love a bait bike campaign, like is currently in effect in San Francisco, to be used here to help stop these crimes…” – Ben, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Bike theft is running rampant in Pittsburgh, and with a new chief of police in town, there’s an opportunity to put a stop to it. In one of our most timely ideas of the year, Ben says the police department could take a page from San Francisco’s book and use GPS to bait bike thieves, leaving bicycles out to be stolen then tracking them down.

Originally published on 12/16/14 at http://mindmixer.com/2014/12/the-year-in-ideas/