Charlotte City Council has scheduled a forum to receive public comments about a $1.3 billion plan to renovate Bank of America Stadium – a plan that would cost $650 million in public money…

Under a plan to address youth crime, the city would pay $2.5 million to help fund a proposed $62.5 million Katie Blessing Center, a youth behavioral care facility in northwest Charlotte. An additional $41.5 million would come from the Katie Blessing Foundation.

At Monday’s Council meeting, members got an update on that proposal.

Shawn Heath, an assistant city manager, said the program’s goal is to reduce youth crime over a three- to five-year period. Special emphasis would be given to property and violent crime, as well as at-risk youth and repeat and first-time offenders…

While youth crime is on the rise, Heath said the trend can be reversed. He cited a need for more mental health resources for youth and community-level, evidence-based violence strategies.

The proposed Katie Blessing Center, which would be located at 4024 Triangle Drive, would provide local youth with mental health resources, Heath said.

“The need is real,” Heath said of mental health services for young people.

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