City Council District 28 is one of twenty-nine districts participating in Cycle 12 of participatory budgeting, where constituents from each district will decide how to spend $1 million in capital funding locally.
What is participatory budgeting?
Participatory budgeting is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend $1 million on capital projects. Qualifying projects must cost at least $50,000 and have a lifespan of at least 5 years. Funds for this program can be used for physical improvements that benefit the public.
PB funds physical infrastructure projects like improvements to schools, parks, libraries, public housing, streets and more. We encourage interested community members to submit project ideas here: http://ideas.pbnyc.org/page/about. Contact Ayana Greene to get involved: AGreene@council.nyc.gov.
How does participatory budgeting work?
District residents design and submit project ideas. Then, volunteers join delegate committees to develop those suggestions into project proposals, and work with city agencies to estimate project costs. The projects with the most votes are included in next year’s city budget, to be built or implemented over the next few years.
- Idea Collection and Volunteer Recruitment (September – October)
Through community meetings, residents brainstorm ideas and recruit Budget Delegates for the current cycle. - Proposal Development (October – January)
Budget Delegates transform ideas into full proposals, with support from city agencies and staff. Delegates narrow down proposals and select projects that meet the needs of the community. - GOTV and Vote Week (March – April)
Once proposals have been determined, Budget Delegates and residents get out the vote and prepare for a nine-day community vote. - Evaluation and Planning (May – June)
Winning projects are included in New York City’s upcoming fiscal year budget. Staff and stakeholders evaluate the process and oversee the implementation of winning projects by agencies. - Want to volunteer?
Delegates, Facilitators, and Poll Workers make the real work of democracy possible. Learn more about how you can participate or sign up to volunteer Click for Volunteer Signup.
| Category | Project Title | Location | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Technology Upgrades for PS 80Q | PS 80Q Thurgood Marshall, 171-05 137th Avenue |
$55,000 | Funding will go towards laptop carts and SMART Boards for students to learn and research school work. |
| Education | Technology Upgrades for PS 40Q Samuel Huntington, 109-29 Union Hall Street |
PS 40Q | $55,000 | Funding will go towards laptop carts and SMART Boards for students to learn and research school work. |
| Education | Technology Upgrades for PS/MS 124Q, 129-15 150th Avenue |
PS/MS 124Q | $55,000 | Funding will go towards laptop carts and SMART Boards for students to learn and research school work. |
| Education | Install Maker Space for PS 55Q | PS 55Q, 131-10 97th Avenue |
$250,000 | Funding will go towards a designated space for students to invent, build and explore with 3D design tools and materials. |
| Education | Bathroom Renovation for PS 155Q | PS 155Q, 130-24 115th Avenue |
$150,000 | Funding will go towards more modern equipment for outdated and broken fixture. |
| Parks & Recreation | Pathway/Resurfacing for Baisley Park | Baisley Park, 155th Street & 123rd Avenue |
$450,000 | Resurfacing the upper and lower pathway for pedestrians and joggers who use the park. |
| Parks & Recreation | Street Tree Planting | Districtwide | $100,000 | Funding 20 trees with tree guards to improve air quality acorss Council District 28. |
| Transit | Roadway Resurfacing | Districtwide | $250,000 | Roadway resurfacing to maintain the quality of streets in Council District 28 |
| Total: |
Click More Info for New York City Council’s Participatory Budgeting details.
Click here to learn about the Mayor’s Office of NYC Civic Engagement Commission’s PB process, The People’s Money.