Startup Weekend GOV: Open NW Application Ideas

A mobile app that answers the question "What do I do with…?" a wide variety of items. Based on a simple keyword search or category selection, use GPS to provide mapping/directions and contact info for hundreds of businesses in the Puget Sound region that accept unwanted items for reuse, recycling or proper disposal. A website version of this already exists, but a mobile version would be much more useful for folks on the... more »

I think this has been done elsewhere but it would be nice to text photos of various problems (a street light that's not working, a pothole, a damaged traffic sign, litter on a dangerous spot on a busy street, etc.) to a catch-all number and the app then routes that to the appropriate government agency to address. Then the app could provide feedback to all users - checking off projects as they are completed (all requests... more »

finds and describes development projects by location, and tells how to submit comments or ask questions. Names the neighborhood group/s the developer is communicating with.

When searching for a home you can get a lot of data about prices, comps, and photos but there's a ton of data from the city and country you might not be aware of. Pandora's Home is a targeted application (mobile and/or web) that gives the end user information about permitted repairs, electrical work, sewer cards, and other pertinent data people need to know BEFORE they buy a home. This app will help users know up front... more »

A way to check Metro's lost and found database to see if anything resembling your item was turned in, and to report an item missing so they can match it up as soon as they get it.

App to find and share Public Art in Seattle.

 

Portland's app: http://publicartpdx.com/

 

Dataset: https://data.seattle.gov/dataset/Public-Art-Data/j7sn-tdzk

Collecting good data on crashes, hazards and thefts helps make cycling safer and helps government improve transportation infrastructure. We have version 1.0 of this site -- Bikewise.org -- but there's a huge opportunity to build on what's there, add functionality and scale the user base. I co-founded Bikewise together with Cascade Bicycle Club and we'd be excited to have a startup team work on this. Contact me: phil@bikewise.org... more »

Government relies on vendors to bid on various contracts. There should be a central location where public contractors can easily identify which government projects they might want to look into, who to contact for more information, URLs that lead to more detailed information, relevant dates, etc. The easier we make it for people to work with us, the less overhead they'll have to spend looking and the less overhead we'll... more »

A way to map reports from the street/field in a regional emergency. Residents could report what they know, governments/blogs/media could republish the pieces of the map specific to their communities.

A guide to accessible wild foods. Visual identification tools and known locations map. Ample public road-side areas abound throughout the state, from which citizens could derive free basic nutrition. Buttercups, leeks, daisies, clovers, mushrooms, parsnips, chestnuts, watercress, wild lettuce, cattails and berries galore. I propose a moderated map interface, to provide free information to registered users on most likely... more »

I want to be able to text messages and pictures to 911.

Mobile game that shows pictures and/or gives clues about state, county, and city elected officials and staffers so I can learn more about them and earn points for guessing the correct name.

Identify from public data and crowdsource the easiest routes for wheelchairs, folks with limited mobility and parents pushing strollers. This could show publicly accessible elevators and other easy routes. It could overlay or analyze topographic map data. Also good stopping/resting points could be added. Eventually this could be linked to store and restaurant accessibility apps.

An app that tells you what city office handles the service you need to access, including address, map, phone number, contact name if appropriate and website. For example, where to go to pay a ticket, get a business license, get a street use permit, etc. etc.

There is a movement across the country to develop animal abuser databases. Let’s start local and build up! By following animal cruelty cases as they move from the streets through the court system we can empower enforcement authorities, concerned citizens, and animal rescue organizations in their goals of increasing awareness and initiating public policy.