Geo:Code Project Idea

Make it easier for adults and families experiencing homelessness to navigate and connect with existing resources (e.g. shelters, food, supportive services, activities).

We’re actively working to achieve the goal set in the Minneapolis Downtown Council’s 2025 Plan to become the first major city in the country to end street homelessness, and we know how important improving access to information about available services,... more »

Create an app or tool that bikers and pedestrians can use to report any maintenance or trail issues that they find. Ideally it would include the GPS coordinates and allow them to take a picture of the problem. Combining this functionality with some of the other bike/ped ideas submitted (ie the interactive map) would be really sweet!

Idea to create an application that allows a user to select what basic services they may need assistance with (food stamps, shelter, safe house, etc.) and then the nearest location to obtain that service (using both geolocation and geofencing). For example, if someone needed assistance with obtaining food stamps, the app can either direct the user to the nearest government building to obtain assistance completing an application... more »

These two maps are begging for an interactive version that can be queried, zoom/pan, etc:
http://www.mplsparking.com/Includes/CurrentMeterMap.pdf
http://www.mplsparking.com/Includes/multi_space_map.pdf

Many times I have squinted at these maps when planning a drive to the Guthrie or Convention Center, trying to ascertain basic parking meter info: hourly rate, hours of enforcement, and time limit. Make it easier for someone... more »

Each winter our HC sidewalk system turns treacherous for walkers and insurmountable for people in wheel chairs, with strollers, etc. We need an app to report homeowners, businesses, etc., that are not keeping their sidewalks clear.

App would include maps of hot spots, so that users would know what areas they should avoid, and what areas are free of obstacles, as well as allow users to report precise location and condition... more »

From wheelyapp.com:

"Wheely is an application designed to help wheelchair and stroller users better navigate the New York City Subway system as well as provide a useful guide to accessible places in specific neighborhoods. Wheely features accessible subway maps licensed by the MTA®, specific directions and maps to subway elevators and reviews based on local accessible places. Wheely is founded by Anthony Driscoll, a... more »

As a parent, I'm often looking for something to do with the kids. The libraries and parks often have free/cheap activities going on, but it takes some hunting to find out what's going on where when. I'm envisioning something where you could pick a date, then see on a map (or list), what activities are happening where.

Web maps are an integral part of a lot of our community's civic tech projects, and accessibility also is a core value of civic technology. Unfortunately, it can be tricky to navigate what exactly it means to make "accessible maps".

The goal of this project is to generate a set of guidelines/ guiding questions, examples, and code snippets that civic tech groups can use in their mapping projects. Eventually, we would... more »

Have a way to view/compare historical imagery plat maps, and maybe also incorporate historical census data, old photos, etc. Geneologists, local history buffs and other researchers might use it?

 

(Inspired by this project from the New York Public Library http://spacetime.nypl.org/ )

People that live in Hennepin County love their dogs, and I think an app with a map function that displays dog parks and dog-friendly stores and restaurants would be useful. In the summer it is fun to be able to sit on a patio and get a drink with your dog, but it is hard to find these restaurants that welcome dogs other than by word of mouth. A dog park map funciton would also be useful, especially for those who aren't... more »

Where can I recycle???? Where can I re-use??

An app for county employees that shows;

-maps of the county buildings

-hours of facilities

-information regarding road detours or closures that may impact different locations

-Any maintenance/repair work happening in buildings

-Emergency announcements =weather/closings etc. (push notifications?)

The State of Minnesota has created a pretty comprehensive public resource for project leaders, designers, developers and anyone else involved in mobile accessibility at http://innovation.mn.gov/mobileguide as a how-to for creating responsive content and apps.
As with any new tech, the guide will become dated if it's not kept current.
Help us turn this "fixed" resource into a dynamic one by creating a model for maintaining... more »

##-- WHY --##
There are roughly 40,000 Hennepin County residents needing assistance to live independently, like myself. Our society is asking us (e.g. older adults and people with disability/chronic illness) to more independently manage our in-home support services, thereby reducing administrative costs and slowing the rising independent-living costs facing our nation. However, most individuals/families do not have... more »

The Skyway system in Minneapolis is confusing... very very confusing. Now imagine trying to find your way around without being able to see! Good luck.

Help us answer the the questions "How might we help people navigate the skyways in a multi-sensory way?"

Using recent advances in geo-location and proximity based technology (see the "Blue Bean" from Punch Through Labs) we can create an app (or other technology) that... more »