Real Money, Real Power: Participatory Budgeting from PBP on Vimeo.
Cycle 6 of the annual Participatory Budget voting begins Saturday, March 25th, and goes until Sunday, April 2nd. “Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget.” Our City Councilman, Stephen Levin, chose to give us the voice on how to spend our tax dollars. In this vote, you have the opportunity to vote for as many as five project proposals; funding is granted based on which proposals receive the most votes and our district’s annual discretionary fund budget. The vote is open to anyone over the age of 14 who lives within our district (33), and this year, we can vote online! Of the 15 projects this year, here are the ones proposed for Greenpoint and Williamsburg:
- New Exterior Sign on the Williamsburg Library: A new stainless steel sign with update-able hours of service and messages to promote library initiatives. ($70,000)
- New Seating in School Auditorium, Juan Morel Campus (I.S. 71): Replace over 600 47-year old seats in auditorium used by four public schools and neighborhood groups. ($450,000)
- New Electrical AC, Monitor School (P.S. 110): Provide upgraded wiring in classrooms for AC units purchased by the school. Cooler classrooms help students learn. ($175,000)
- STEAM Labs for Samuel Dupont Elementary School (P.S. 31): Pre-K -5th classrooms will be outfitted with new STEAM Labs for teaching and learning. Prepare students for the future. ($218,000)
- STEM Lab for John Wayne Elementary School (P.S. 380): Construction of a STEM lab will allow over 800 students access to new technology. This will prepare them for success. ($250,000)
- Repair Toddle Playground at Independence Towers: Install new safety surface and replace broken equipment for needed toddler playground. ($500,000)
- Water Source and Paving at McGolrick Park: Install water sources for irrigation of plants and grasses and complete the repaving of the sidewalks and paths. ($500,000)
- Safety Lighting at Middleton Playground: For the benefit and security of the neighborhood, increased lighting is needed for this popular playground. ($500,000)
- Picnic Grove in McCarren Park: Provide a tranquil, comfortable outdoor setting for neighborhood residents to enjoy. ($400,000)
- Real Time Bus Clocks: Electronic signs that provide live, up-to-date arrival times at 12 stops along the B62/B32 bus routes. ($300,000)
- Pedestrian Safety in Williamsburg: Continue to improve safety at Meeker and Metropolitan Avenues that will shorten crossing times and encourage lower speeds. ($250,000)
- Repair Broken Sidewalks at Independence Towers: Repair broken sidewalks outside of independence Towers Community Center. Make walking home safe for all. ($350,000)
The online voting opens Saturday, March 25th at 12 PM. But if you want to do it in person (they do have stickers for your ‘grams), here’s where physical voting will take place. Note the different days and times.
- McCarren Park on Driggs Avenue by the farmer’s market, Saturday 3/25 and 4/1, 9 AM – 1 PM (Vote at the BK Story Voyager Mobile Library)
- Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, Monday 3/27 – Friday 3/31, 9 AM – 5 PM
- P.S. 8, 37 Hicks Street, Monday 3/27 and Friday 3/31, 8 – 10 AM
- Williamsburg Library, 240 Division Avenue, Monday 3/27 – Wednesday 3/29, 3 – 6 PM
- Brooklyn Borough Hall Greenmarket, 209 Joralemon Street, Tuesday 3/28 & Thursday 3/30, 8 – 10 AM
- Los Sures Social Services, 145 South 3rd Street, Tuesday 3/28, 10 AM – 1 PM
- Brooklyn Heights Library, 109 Remsen Street, Tuesday 3/28, 1 – 3 PM, and Saturday 4/1, 11 AM – 2 PM
- Pilsudski Institute of America, 138 Greenpoint Avenue, Tuesday 3/28, 4:30 PM – 6 PM
- El Puente, 211 South 4th Street, Tuesday 3/28, 6 – 8 PM
- Greenpoint Library, 107 Norman Avenue, Wednesday 3/29 – Friday 3/31, 3 PM – 5 PM
- Bushwick Inlet Park, 89 Kent Avenue, Friday 3/31, 12 – 5 PM
- St. John’s Lutheran Church, 155 Milton Street, Saturday 4/1, 11 AM – 1 PM
For more information on Participatory Budgeting or to see if your district is included, head to the City Council site.
For more information on District 33’s Participatory Budgeting Proposals, head to Stephen T. Levin site.