Are the open spaces and brightly colored walls at uptown's ImaginOn the perfect spot for a 600-person cocktail reception during the Democratic National Convention?

Possibly. A nonprofit group has asked the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system about renting the space, home for Children's Theatre of Charlotte and other programs.

The library's board voted last week to charge a $7,500 rental fee for the open areas, and $9,500 for the open areas and theater. That's the standard fee for rentals to nonprofits, plus $1,500 for cleaning and administration.

Former county commissioner Darrel Williams heads a board subcommittee screening groups who want to use library facilities during the DNC.

"We have wonderful facilities like ImaginOn and the (Main) Library," the closest ones to Time Warner Cable Arena, Williams said. "It might help them, and help us get a few dollars as well."

But don't expect convention rentals to solve the library system's cash woes.

The library is still recovering from last year's $10 million budget cut from the county. "We don't expect to have a big budget infusion with this," Williams said. Celeste Smith

Bo, First Dog, could benefit from this group's expertise

Where might Bo go?

Janet Hart and her colleagues know.

If organizers need volunteers who are media-savvy and knowledgeable about the city, Hart says, they should look to the Charlotte Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Hart has contacted organizers on behalf of the 261-member group. Even Bo, the first dog of the Obama family, could use PR help.

"We could help them find the five great dog parks in Charlotte," said Hart. "We could help provide this type of information that people from out of town wouldn't know."

With 15,000 media members expected, Hart says her members are prepared to help in any way.

"We understand deadlines and how to assist in localizing stories that could go out to the world about our city," Hart says. Celeste Smith

CMS schools looking to

jazz up civics classes

With the convention coming in September, Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools hope to bring civics texts to life.

The CMS Humanities Department, along with Junior Achievement of the Central Carolinas, plans to launch a "DNC Project" next fall.

A recent administration report to school board members said the nonpartisan effort "will provide students with the academic competencies required for the state's essential standards for civics, economics and social studies."

"Students will demonstrate knowledge of the political system in the United States, including the history of election processes and party conventions; the structure and process of local, state and federal government; and the role political parties, lobbyists and interest groups play in elections, legislation and governance."

Jim Morrill

Area colleges: Convention to provide teaching moment

The convention-as-classroom idea will extend to college and university students, too. Next year, they'll have access to special for-credit classes inspired by the convention.

UNC Charlotte is touting the "49er Democracy Experience" - an effort still in the works that will bring together students and faculty from local higher education institutions. Schools include Catawba College, Davidson College, Johnson C. Smith University, Queens University of Charlotte, Winthrop University and others, according to UNC Charlotte spokesman John Bland.

The effort has a special website: democracyexperience.uncc.edu.

Look for classes hitting a range of subjects, from leadership to economics, communications to anthropology, social issues and service, Bland said. The initiative is nonpartisan. Students interested in the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., in August will learn of opportunities to be involved in that, Bland said.

"There's not much more exciting in civic life than the buzz created by a presidential election," Joan Lorden, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said on the website.

Celeste Smith

Grubb: Convention could unleash 'echo boomers'

Panelists at a "Future of Charlotte Real Estate event" last week predicted the convention will have a big impact on the market.

Commercial real estate developer Clay Grubb's revitalization project at Elizabeth Avenue near Presbyterian Hospital had slowed in the recent economy. Now, Grubb said, smaller anchor retailers are once again expressing interest in vacant spaces.

"Certainly within the next 12 months, we'll have some nice announcements," Grubb said. And restaurants there also will get a boost.

More important, Charlotte could capture the attention of "echo boomers" - those born roughly between the early 1980s to the end of the millennium

Numbering about 80 million, Grubb called the generation "the real economic driver for any city," as they decide where to work and live. The convention "is going to put us on a platform where everyone will see that."

Wells Fargo senior economist Mark Vitner cited the recent Verizon television commercials highlighting Charlotte's energy-efficient smart buildings. The pro-Charlotte momentum "sort of feeds off itself," Vitner said.

"There is some risk for the city," Vitner added. "If it doesn't come off well, it could give the city a black eye."

Celeste Smith

Where ya staying? States will find out very soon

When the 6,000 or so delegates and alternates show up, they'll need a place to stay.

In October, three dozen party officials from 14 states toured the city and its hotels. Now the state delegations are submitting their preferences.

Delegates will learn in early 2012 where they'll stay.

Suburban-based delegations will be shuttled directly from their hotels to uptown, and back that evening.

Celeste Smith