City Hall Wants Help Developing Smart-Phone Apps

ABQ Ride passengers can already track the location of buses using their smart phones. Now, City Hall wants help developing more apps based on city services.

Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry announced plans on Monday to offer $30,000 for people who create the best smart-phone applications based on city data. The money would be divided among the best apps, as chosen by a panel of judges.

The city posted about 20 data sets on its website this week to help and more could be on the way. Already available: raw data on food inspections, city-sponsored events, building permits, bike paths and the like.

Bringing city government to people’s phones and handheld devices is a critical way to improve services, Berry said. It also increases transparency and promotes open government, he said.

“It’s the future of Albuquerque as a city,” he said.

Residents who have ideas for what apps they’d like to see can submit ideas here. That site also has the raw data that developers can use to build applications.

The contest will formally start in mid-August, through Berry said people are welcome to begin working on apps before that.