Charlotte, NC

Three partnerships in the Centralina region were each awarded a "JumpStart the Conversation" grant on August 25, 2008.

The winning projects exemplify the use of innovative ideas focused on creating livable communities for all ages and theme of "land use planning and design".  These strategies are aimed at the over 11 percent of residents age 65 and over in the Centralina region, and will encourage services that strengthen "aging in place"and increase accessibility to resources and independence among older adults. 

The Jumpstart the Conversation Grants followed a workshop in the Centralina Region, titled Land Use Planning and Design: Creating a Livable Community in the Centralina Region for All Ages. As part of the Aging in Place Initiative, the City of Charlotte, North Carolina, was selected by MetLife Foundation, Partners for Livable Communities and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging to host the sixth of 12 national workshops on creating livable communities for all ages.

This workshop, co-hosted by the Centralina Council of Governments and Centralina Area Agency on Aging, was a unique opportunity for Centralina to begin looking at the region and to hear how other communities have begun to create livable communities. Participants learned how to apply for small grants given to support innovative ideas that further the concept of land use planning and design.Local leaders are calling for strategies to help strengthen "Aging in Place" services. Speakers and panelists focused on ways to address physical environment issues like housing and transportation

Centralina/Charlotte Jumpstart Grants 

• Centralina Foundation in partnership with the Centralina Council of Governments, the Town of Waxhaw Planning Department, and the Council on Aging in Union County 
  To develop a “Land Use Ordinance Best Practices Checklist” that would encourage communities to become more senior friendly.  Partnering with the Centralina Council of Governments, the Town of Waxhaw Planning Department, and the Council on Aging in Union county, the Centralina Foundation will create a Steering Committee comprised of members of each organization to assist in the development of the checklist and assessment of land use regulations in Waxhaw.  The checklist will serve as a framework to identify ordinances in need of change in order to develop an increasingly senior friendly community.
• Downtown Davidson, Inc. in partnership with the Town of Davidson 
  To offer weekly transportation services to seniors living in the town of Davidson, NC.  Using existing resources offered by the Department of Parks & Recreation, this initiative will provide seniors with the opportunity to run errands without worrying about driving or transportation arrangements.  Another goal of this project is to address the need of older adults to have more independence and freedom in planning their schedules.

• Council on Aging 
  To use Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) in Charlotte as case studies for the development of senior-friendly communities.  These studies will identify characteristics that support NORCs so that they may be disseminated for educational and advocacy programming.  The Council on Aging has already developed a task force to address housing and related issues as they pertain to the Charlotte’s aging population.  The long-term goal of this project is to develop a comprehensive housing plan for older adults through 203

February 3-5, 2011 - Charlotte, NC

Today, more than ever, we are faced with environmental and economic challenges that will define our generation, shape our future, and test our resilience as cities, regions, states and a nation. Join leaders from across the U.S. as we tackle these challenges head-on and demonstrate smart growth solutions that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create a green economy, assure a healthy population, and expand transportation and housing options for all Americans.

Mecklenburg County, NC

A live information service that provides details about local services in Mecklenburg County.

This report documents the Centralina Aging in Place Workshop and features the central role of transportation and housing in the work of land use planners and designers. Click here to download the report.

Bridge Builders Award (Charlotte, NC)

Kenneth D. Lewis, President and CEO, Bank of America, Robert Cannon, Executive Director, Public Library of Charlotte/Mecklenburg County and Bruce LaRowe, Executive Director, Children’s Theater of Charlotte for their visionary leadership and initiative in creating ImaginOn-The Joe and Joan Martin Center a joint venture between a library, children’s theatre, and progressive chairman. Through innovative programs using the written, spoken and electronic word, ImaginOn will be an interactive learning environment for young people and their families in the greater Charlotte area.