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CHARLOTTE – Mecklenburg County leaders are in Washington, D.C., meeting with state Congressional representatives in the hopes of getting more funds from the federal stimulus package.

County commissioners Jennifer Roberts and Vilma Leake are trying to make the case about what they're calling "ready-now" projects. The wish list includes $620 million for the county's transit system, $260 million for schools, $75 million to renovate Freedom Mall and about $21.8 million for parks.

The list also includes $25.5 million in improvements to Memorial Stadium.

"We're trying to let them see how much capital spending we really need to do to keep up with our infrastructure needs," Roberts said. "But we're not asking to have every single one of these funded."

But other commissioners feel they were left out of making the so-called wish list.

"It shouldn't be just one person, whether it's our chairperson or a couple members of the board, or even staff that's putting this list together, to get broad support," Commissioner Karen Bentley said. "To have a well thought-out and respected list, we have to engage all the commissioners."