The votes are in! ✅ After months of determining project ideas, reviewing concepts with city agencies and budget delegates, hosting info sessions with our community, soliciting votes online and at poll sites, and counting the ballots, we’re finally ready to reveal the winning projects for the 2026-2027 Participatory Budgeting (PB) cycle!
Nearly 2,000 District 35 residents ages 11 and up cast their votes, and seven projects have been funded! Though we usually have $1 million for PB, we were able to secure an additional $175,000, bringing the total amount in funded projects to $1.175 million!
The winning projects are:
P.S. 011 Purvis J. Behan Kitchen Upgrade ($250,000)
District 35 Street Tree Guards ($200,000)
Van for EMS Division 3 ($80,000)
P.S. 705 Science Lab Development ($125,000)
New Bridges Elementary Cafeteria Upgrade ($200,000)
P.S. 316 Elijah G. Stroud Library Tech Upgrade ($100,000)
P.S. 270 The DeKalb School Music Studio ($200,000)
P.S. 011 Purvis J. Behan Kitchen Upgrade ($250,000)
P.S. 011 is an elementary school serving 831 students, all of whom are eligible for New York City’s free breakfast and lunch program throughout the school year. Many students rely on these meals, with New York City public schools providing 220,000 meals for breakfast and 540,000 meals for lunch daily on average to students. A $250,000 allocation would fund a modernization of the school’s kitchen facilities, ensuring students receive high quality, nutritious meals.
District 35 Street Tree Guards ($200,000)
Street trees provide critical environmental services to our neighborhoods by absorbing floodwater, providing shade, trapping air pollution, and providing shelter for wildlife. Our district has many tree beds with live trees that are not protected by tree guards, which help minimize soil compaction and protect trees from physical harm and pet waste. A $200,000 allocation would provide funding for 100 tree guards throughout District 35. A more protected tree canopy ensures that residents can enjoy the benefits that trees provide to our community.
Van for EMS Division 3 ($80,000)
EMS vans are critical in times of emergency, providing basic medical response and transportation to a hospital. EMS services responded to approximately 1.6 million medical emergencies across New York City during Fiscal Year 2024, with Brooklyn experiencing the highest rate of 911 calls. As average response times by EMS to medical emergencies increase, it is critical that first responders have access to the necessary equipment. A $80,000 allocation would allow EMS Division 3 to purchase a new van to serve Central Brooklyn.
P.S. 705 Science Lab Development ($125,000)
Science classes allow students to learn about and connect with the natural world around them. Science labs specifically provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning and collaboration with classmates through experiments and other exploratory lessons. P.S. 705 serves 220 students, 82% of whom are students of color and 75% of whom are economically disadvantaged. A $125,000 allocation would fund new science instruction equipment and materials, improving the science curriculum for all P.S. 705 students.
New Bridges Elementary Cafeteria Upgrade ($200,000)
Cafeterias are central parts of student life, functioning as a place for meals, social interaction, and community activities. New Bridges Elementary serves 360 students, 97% of whom are students of color and 83% of whom are economically disadvantaged. Many of these students rely on their school cafeteria as a source of nutrition, as well as a place to connect with their peers. A $200,000 allocation would fund improved food storage, preparation and serving equipment, as well as new seating and general facilities upgrades.
P.S. 316 Elijah G. Stroud Library Tech Upgrade ($100,000)
School libraries are essential common spaces for students to congregate, explore new interests, and engage with new ideas. Technology is increasingly becoming central to how students access information, making it a necessary component of modern libraries. Additionally, library equipment is accessible to the full student body. P.S. 316 serves 595 students, 82% of whom are students of color and 58% of whom are economically disadvantaged. An allocation of $125,000 would purchase new computers and smartboards for the P.S. 316 library.
P.S. 270 The DeKalb School Music Studio ($200,000)
P.S. 270 serves 73 elementary school students, 96% of whom are students of color and 92% of whom are economically disadvantaged. The school places emphasis on the arts and currently has a partnership with the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. A $200,000 allocation would allow the school to expand this partnership by transforming a classroom into a music and recording studio space for students, and allow for an expansion of the instrumental music program with the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.