A total of 126 finalists from each of the 26 Knight communities have been selected as finalists in the Knight Cities Challenge -- a competition that supports innovations that will make cities more successful.

View the complete list of finalists.

Many of the finalists shared a common goal of bringing life back to public spaces, either through civic projects or proposals for urban renewal. Some applicants approached the challenge of helping their communities with a digital focus:

• Detroit. The Growing Communities With Strong Funding Roots project seeks to use crowdfunding to bring money to the city. Also, the Information Supergreenway project would provide public WiFi access in the RiverWalk, Dequindre Cut and Eastern Market neighborhoods. A total of 1,365 proposals were submitted in Detroit -- more than any other Knight community.
• Macon, Ga. The Make It Happen in Macon Community Venture Capital Fund aims to use an online platform as a stage for community businesses and projects seeking seed funding. Ideas will be put to a monthly vote, with the top five receiving financial support.
• Philadelphia. Drexel University proposed the Public Space As Public Media project, which would use public buildings as information hubs for relevant civic and political city issues.
• San Jose, Ca. KQED News submitted The Resolution project, to liven up coverage of civic debates. These debates would be presented live online, supported by crowdsourced research and teams. The goal is to make the debates "as engaging as televised sports coverage."

Winners of the Knight Cities Challenge will receive part of the total $5 million in funding, plus other support. Watch for a spring 2015 announcement.