By COUNCIL MAJORITY LEADER JIMMY VAN BRAMER ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING, PLEDGES $1.85 MILLION TO FUND TOP PROJECTS
Over 3,600 people voted on projects to improve their neighborhoods
YESTERDAY, April 18th, Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer unveiled the winning Participatory Budgeting projects for the 26th Council District, which encompasses Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, Dutch Kills, and Astoria. The top six projects add up to a total cost of $1.85 million.
The winning projects are:
1. Special needs playground for P4 at Skillman (1437 votes; $250,000)
2. Playground upgrades for PS 112 (1169 votes; $500,000)
3. Basketball court renovations for Ravenswood (891 votes; $350,000)
4. Basketball court renovation for Queensbridge Houses (891 votes; $350,000)
5. Dutch Kills pedestrian safety (installation of bus bulbs on 31st St. at 36th Ave & 39th Ave.; 888 votes; $300,000)
6. Bathroom repairs for PS 111 (886 votes; $100,000)
“Residents came together and said loud and clear how they wanted to spend our city’s money, and every project they chose is a fantastic investment in our community,” said Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer.“Because so many people made their voices heard, I’ve decided to allocate an additional $800,000 over the $1 million promised so that residents can see these community improvements come to fruition. From school playgrounds and new basketball courts to bathroom upgrades and pedestrian safety, I’m sure these projects will make our community a better and more vibrant place to live.”
Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process by which community members decide how to spend City Council capital funds. The process began in the fall, when community members gathered at neighborhood assemblies to brainstorm capital improvements. Then, volunteer budget delegates winnowed down the list of hundreds of ideas into a smaller number of real, implementable projects that made it onto the ballot. Residents of the 26th District aged 14 or over were able to vote for their favorite projects during the first week of April. The winning projects, announced today, will be funded.
Thousands of residents, business owners, youth, and community leaders took part in this year’s Participatory Budgeting process. Neighborhood Assemblies and public meetings were held in Astoria, Dutch Kills, Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, the Woodside Houses, the Queensbridge Houses, and the Big Six Towers. Fifty residents acted as budget delegates and worked with city agencies and the Majority Leader’s office to turn ideas into project proposals. Over 75 people attended a project expo at Sunnyside Community Services, and more than 3,600 residents voted for their favorite projects.
