AKRON, Ohio - Eight Akron ideas are finalists in the 2017 John S. and James L. Knight Foundation's third annual Knight Cities Challenge.

A total of 144 entries made the cut this year out of more than 4,500 applicants in Knight's challenge for ideas that can make the 26 communities where the foundation invests more vibrant places to live and work.

In the past three years, Knight has invested more than $10 million in Akron.

In Knight's Cities Challenge, applicants are asked to answer a single question: What's your best idea to make cities more successful?

Applicants have only two rules: a submission can come from anywhere, but the idea must benefit one of Knight's communities; and the idea should focus on one, or all, of three key drivers of city success:

Talent

Opportunity

Engagement

Akron's eight finalists include:

Decked Out, submitted by Da'shika Aliece Wells and Andre Street-- Connecting people of different backgrounds through a recurring dance party in downtown Akron that will encourage engagement while adding to the vibrancy of the city.

Designing Equity in Our Communities by Congress for the New Urbanism, submitted by Lynn Richards -- Creating public spaces that are designed for everyone by ensuring public participation in the development of all city projects, including a plan for the city Innerbelt design.

The FREE-FORM Sculpture Project by Groundswell Design Group, submitted by David Fierabend -- Bringing life to downtown Akron with a new art installation that celebrates the movement of the Ohio and Erie Canal through form, color and wind.

Innerbelt National Forest, submitted by Hunter Franks -- Reconnecting two socially and physically isolated neighborhoods by replacing an inoperative freeway in Akron with a lush forest and public space.

New American Enterprise Co-Op by International Institute of Akron, submitted by Susan Wuscher -- Increase economic opportunities for new Americans by creating a co-op that provides entrepreneurial skills including educational and technical resources to the foreign-born community in Akron.

@Play Akron by ART x LOVE, submitted by Mac Love -- Encouraging deeper community connections through custom games and recreational activities that highlight the unique history, identity and character of each of the city's communities.

(Re)Creation Rubber Matches by Stay in Play Recreation LLC, submitted by Andrew Novak -- Increasing social and economic vibrancy by rehabilitating two sand volleyball courts in the heart of downtown Akron.

Tree House Village at Hardesty Park, submitted by Bridget Ambrisco - Increasing neighborhood vibrancy and connecting people by developing a neighborhood collaborative project focused on constructing a tree house village and fort in the northeast corner of Hardesty Park.

The Knight Cities Challenge is part of a three-year, $15 million commitment launched in the fall of 2014. Since then, Knight has named a total of 69 winning ideas, four of which are in Akron. Winners will receive a share of up to $5 million and will be announced in the spring.

For more information, visit Knight Foundation's website.