The old adage tells us that “you can’t fight city hall.” Often, in New York, it can feel like it’s residents vs. the City, but sometimes, Gotham and its elected officials are on the same page. One of those times is during participatory budgeting, when “community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget.” It’s a rare instance when the City Council gives New Yorkers “Real Money. Real Power.” to improve their communities. So get ready to wield that power, because the next participatory budgeting vote will take place April 7th- April 15th!
There’s a million dollars on the line, and you can vote for up to 5 projects that will receive the funds. The proposed projects call for improvements to schools, parks, libraries, public housing, and other public or community spaces subject to “discretionary funds.” All projects were suggested by community members, and the winners will be chosen by the community!
Out of 150 proposed projects, neighborhood volunteers whittled the choices down to 9 projects you can vote on, based on “equity, feasibility, cost, and need.” And it’s not to late to help out! If you’d like to volunteer as a poll worker, you can RSVP here!
Read on for your 2018 PB Projects and voting sites!
Here are your 2018 PB Projects:
Education
1. Bathroom Renovation at George Westinghouse H.S
– George Westinghouse H.S., 105 Tech Place ($300,000)
Renovate three restrooms – 1 gender neutral – at GWHS, which provides career and technical education to over 600 students.
2. Dock Street School Computers
– 19 Dock Street ($300,000)
Middle School Needs 5 new laptop carts to support STEAM education.
3. Gym Upgrades for Urban Assembly Campus, K483
– 283 Adams Street ($200,000)
A new scoreboard, blinds and shades, a sound system and a logo on the floor for a gym used by four schools.
4. Provide 6 laptop carts to P.S./I.S. 157
– 850 Kent Ave ($250,000)
Update technology in P.S./I.S. 157 by adding 3 laptop carts to grades 1-5 and 3 to middle school grades 6-8.
5. 8 New Water Fountains
– 101 Walton Street and 850 Kent Avenue ($80,000)
Replace four water fountains at both P.S. 318 and P.S. 157 with fountain and bottle filling stations for reusable containers.Parks & Recreation
6. Plant trees in Bed-Stuy
– Community Board 2 and 3 within District 33 ($210,000)
With up to 60 trees and tree guards bring air and life to the area with the lowest density of trees in the neighborhood.Streets
7. Pedestrian Safety Improvements
– Intersection of Clay, Franklin, Commercial ($300,000)
Improvements on a dangerous, three-way intersection, next to a playground and residential apartments.
8. Pedestrian and Bicycle Connector
– Atlantic Avenue from B.B. Park to Columbia Street ($300,000)
The project will permanently build out the temporary bike path to be safer for both pedestrians and vehicles.
Public Safety
9. 4 Security Cameras
– 84th and 94th Precincts ($142,000)
Two security cameras in the 94th Precinct and two cameras in the 84th Precinct, to be determined with community input.
You can vote online starting April 7 at 12:00am, in person, by visiting any of these sites:
Saturday April 7
McCarren Farmer’s Market [Union and Driggs] 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Myrtle Village Green [Myrtle Ave and Kent Ave] 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Sunday April 8
Myrtle Village Green [Myrtle Ave and Kent Ave] 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Monday April 9
D33 District Office [410 Atlantic] 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
St. Lucy-St. Patrick Church [285 Willoughby Ave] 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM Brooklyn Borough Hall [209 Joralemon St] 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday April 10
D33 District Office [410 Atlantic] 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Greenpoint YMCA [99 Meserole Ave] 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Brooklyn Borough Hall [209 Joralemon St] 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
P.S. 8 [37 Hicks St] 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Wednesday April 11
D33 District Office [410 Atlantic] 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
St. Lucy-St. Patrick Church [285 Willoughby Ave] 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM Brooklyn Borough Hall [209 Joralemon St] 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday April 12
D33 District Office [410 Atlantic] 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Brooklyn Borough Hall [209 Joralemon St] 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday April 13
D33 District Office [410 Atlantic] 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Bushwick Inlet Park [86 Kent Ave] 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Brooklyn Borough Hall [209 Joralemon St] 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
P.S. 8 [37 Hicks St] 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Saturday April 14
McCarren Farmer’s Market [Union and Driggs] 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
St. John’s Lutheran Church [155 Milton] 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Borough Hall Farmer’s Market [Borough Hall Plaza]12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Sunday April 15
Greenpoint Playground [243 Franklin] 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM