Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a process through which local residents can decide how to allocate $1 million in city funding toward projects that improve their community. No one knows what our communities need best than the folks who live there. The entire PB process is transparent, equity-oriented, and community-driven, as community members propose ideas, decide what makes the ballot, and ultimately vote on which proposals to fund. Projects can include improvements to everything from schools to libraries to public housing to other public spaces. By participating, you determine the future of our community, our district, and our home.

Projects

PS 11 Sink and Faucet Replacement ($150,000)

PS 11 is a public elementary school in Clinton Hill with 724 students, 85 percent of whom are students of color and 39 percent of whom are economically disadvantaged. The school’s classroom sinks and faucets have not been replaced since the building was originally constructed in the 1950s and are broken & leaky. Research shows that functional classroom sinks increase handwashing and reduce the transmission of diseases. With a $150,000 allocation, PS 11 students will benefit from reduced classroom disruptions and bolstered health and wellness.

PS 287 Bathroom Renovation ($300,000)

Dr. Bailey K . Ashford School PS 287 is a public elementary school based in Fort Greene with 103 students, 98 percent of whom are students of color and 88 percent of whom are economically disadvantaged. The school’s bathrooms are in a state of severe disrepair, with broken stall doors, smashed tiles, and malfunctioning toilets. As such, many students avoid using the bathrooms while at school. With a $300,000 allocation to PS 287 for a bathroom renovation, students will benefit from much-needed improvements to their learning environment.

Dean Playground Upgrades ($350,000)

Dean Playground is a vital community space in Prospect Heights that offers recreational space for all park-goers, from athletes to young children and their families. Currently, the astroturf is in disrepair, playground equipment is broken and dangerous, and lighting is not energy efficient. A $350,000 allocation will provide a down-payment for an upgrade to Dean Street Playground, Prospect Heights residents will have a playground with new equipment, energy-efficient lighting to conserve energy and reduce our city’s carbon footprint, and new astroturf.

Bedford Avenue Repaving ($250,000)

Bedford Avenue is the longest street in Brooklyn, stretching from Greenpoint to Sheepshead Bay. One of the road’s major stretches is in Crown Heights between Eastern Parkway and Empire Boulevard, home to many local institutions, including the Major Owens Center. With a $250,000 allocation to repave one mile of Bedford Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Empire Boulevard, all road users — including cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians — will feel safer traveling to their destinations, knowing they won’t have to worry about potholes or uneven surfaces resulting in crashes.

PS 9 HVAC Upgrade ($450,000)

PS 9 is a public elementary school based in Prospect Heights with 612 students, 72 percent of whom are students of color and 41 percent of whom are economically disadvantaged. Currently, the PS 9 school gym has no air conditioning, resulting in students overheating and experiencing asthma attacks. This proposal — submitted by five current fifth graders — would expand PS 9’s air conditioning system to the school gym. With a $450,000 allocation to extend the school’s air conditioning system to the school gymnasium, PS 9 students will enjoy gym class once again.

PS 67 Playground Improvements ($250,000)

PS 67 is a public elementary school based in Fort Greene with 172 students, 99 percent of whom are students of color and 98 percent of whom are economically disadvantaged. The school’s playground experiences frequent flooding and is deteriorating. With a $250,000 allocation to improve the playground, PS 67 students — many of whom live in nearby NYCHA Ingersoll and Whitman Houses — will have a safe and exciting place to play and socialize with their peers throughout the school year that has new equipment and splash pads.

District 35 Street Tree Planting & Care ($250,000)

Street trees provide critical environmental services to our neighborhoods — absorbing floodwater, providing shade, trapping air pollution, and providing shelter for wildlife. According to Spatial Equity NYC, District 35’s tree canopy ranks 14th out of 51 Council districts. Our district has many empty tree beds and live trees that could be protected with new tree guards. With a $250,000 allocation to plant new trees and care for existing ones, District 35 residents can enjoy a more robust tree canopy and reap the benefits that more trees provide.

Underwood Playground Upgrade ($300,000)

Underwood Park is one of the largest playgrounds located in Clinton Hill, heavily utilized by local daycares and residents of the Clinton Hill Co-ops. Because it is highly used, the playground equipment is growing increasingly dilapidated and outdated. A playground upgrade would install new, state-of-the-art play equipment for children to enjoy and ensure it can be used for generations to come. A $300,000 allocation will serve as a down-payment for an upgrade of Underwood Playground, yielding a safe recreational and play environment for children and families alike.

Eastern Parkway Beautification ($300,000)

Eastern Parkway is one of the crown jewels of District 35. The western end is home to major cultural institutions like the Brooklyn Public Library, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Brooklyn Museum. Yet many parts of the sidewalks, tree pits, and retaining walls are in a state of disrepair. This $300,000 allocation will help beautify Eastern Parkway between Flatbush Avenue and Washington Avenue, repaving parts of the sidewalk, installing tree pits, and rebuilding retaining walls.