2026-2027 Participatory Budgeting vote week starts Saturday 4/11. Sixth District residents age 11 and older (or in 5th grade) can vote on the projects they want to see funded in person or online through  Sunday, 4/19. Ballots will be available in person at:

• My District Office – 563 Columbus Ave @87th Street
• St. Agnes Library – 444 Amsterdam Ave btw 81st/82nd Streets
• Riverside Library – 127 Amsterdam Ave btw 65th/66th Streets
• Library for the Performing Arts – 40 Lincoln Plaza (at Lincoln Center)

Those who prefer to vote online can visit pbnyc.org/vote starting 4/11. Here are this year’s choices:

Technology upgrades – St. Agnes, Riverside, and Lincoln Center Performing Arts Libraries – $250,000

This project will replace aging public-use computer workstations and upgrade supporting technology infrastructure at the St. Agnes, Riverside, and Lincoln Center Performing Arts Library branches. Many of the existing desktop computers are approaching the end of their useful life and cannot support current operating-system security updates or newer online applications required for job searches, schoolwork, and access to government services. Funding will support replacement desktop computers and laptops for public use, upgraded operating systems and security software, replacement peripherals such as keyboards and monitors where needed, and improvements to shared printing and workstation reliability. These upgrades will ensure residents—including students, job seekers, and older adults—can continue to access essential online resources at their local library branches.

Tree Guards – $200,000
Various locations throughout District 6

This project will install approximately 100 protective metal tree guards around vulnerable street trees throughout District 6. Tree guards help prevent damage to young trees from pets, bicycles, and heavy foot traffic, protect soil conditions around tree pits, and improve long-term tree survival rates. Installation locations will be determined by the NYC Parks Department based on tree condition, planting age, and areas with the greatest need. Tree guards are typically installed by Parks during the spring planting season, when new street trees are planted and protective infrastructure can be added most effectively. District 6 loves its trees—and this project helps protect the neighborhood’s growing tree canopy.

Riverside Park public bathroom improvements – $300,000

This project will go towards repairs for existing public restroom facilities in Riverside Park, which serves millions of visitors each year. Most of the Riverside Park restrooms experience heavy wear and require replacement of aging plumbing fixtures, damaged partitions and doors, worn floor and wall surfaces, and outdated lighting and ventilation systems. Funding will support fixture replacement, interior surface repairs, lighting upgrades, ventilation improvements, and related work to improve reliability and usability year-round. Access to clean, safe, and accessible public bathrooms is an important equity issue for park users of all ages and abilities, and this project will help ensure Riverside Park remains welcoming and usable for everyone.

FDNY Ladder 25 HVAC replacement – $400,000
205 West 77th Street

This project will replace rooftop heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment serving FDNY Ladder 25. The existing rooftop units are aging and require frequent maintenance to remain operational. Replacement units will provide more reliable temperature control, improved ventilation, and energy-efficient operation throughout the firehouse. The work includes removal of existing rooftop equipment, installation of new HVAC units, and associated electrical and control connections. These upgrades will improve working conditions for firefighters and help ensure the facility remains fully functional as a 24-hour emergency response station serving the surrounding neighborhood.

PS 199 Jessie Isador Straus School technology improvements – $100,000
270 West 70th Street

This project will replace aging classroom instructional technology at PS 199 that is currently outdated or no longer functioning reliably. Funding will support installation of new interactive smartboards in classrooms and purchase of student Chromebooks, teacher laptops, and document cameras used for daily instruction. These tools support digital lessons, student collaboration, and access to learning platforms used across the school day. Replacing outdated equipment will improve classroom instruction and ensure students and teachers can participate fully in technology-supported learning.

Innovation Diploma Plus HS music engineering studio – $250,000
145 West 84th Street

This project will create a dedicated music engineering and digital audio production studio at Innovation Diploma Plus High School. Funding will support installation of recording computers, audio interfaces, studio microphones, headphones, MIDI keyboards, mixing equipment, and industry-standard recording and editing software. The studio will provide students with hands-on experience in recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio while supporting coursework connected to music production, podcasting, and media technology careers.

PS 75 Emily Dickinson School gym floor replacement – $350,000
309 West 95th Street

This project will replace the existing gymnasium floor at PS 75, which has deteriorated after years of heavy student use and now requires replacement to maintain safe conditions for physical education classes and school activities. Work will include removal of the current worn flooring surface, installation of a new athletic-grade gym floor, repainting of court markings, and any necessary subfloor repairs identified during construction. The upgraded floor will improve safety and allow continued use of the gymnasium for both school-day programming and after-hours community activities where applicable. 

John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) athletic facility video board installation – $175,000
524 West 59th Street

This project will install large indoor LED video display boards in the athletic facility at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a space used by thousands of students and community members each year for athletics, campus programming, and public events. The boards will display real-time game information, schedules, announcements, and important messages for spectators and visitors, improving communication during competitions, ceremonies, trainings, and other gatherings held in the facility. Funding includes the LED display equipment, mounting structure, wiring, and control systems needed to safely install and operate the boards.

2025-26 Results!

After months of community involvement—from collecting ideas last fall to casting ballots in April—more than 4,000 people voted on how to allocate over $1 million to projects in the district. Here are the winners:

• Tree Guard Installation – $160,000. Install 100 tree guards around street trees throughout the district to protect them from damage, support healthy growth, and enhance the streetscape.
• Bathroom Upgrade at PS84 – $300,000. Renovate two student bathrooms in poor condition at Lillian Weber School of the Arts to improve usability and comfort for students.
• Riverside Park Wall Repair – $100,000. Restore the deteriorating retaining wall at West 72nd St. by replacing mortar and reinstalling missing stones to improve safety and structural integrity.
• Gymnasium Cooling System Upgrade at William O’Shea School Complex — $250,000. Install a new cooling system in the gymnasium improving comfort and safety for students, staff, and community members including MS247 and MS245.
• Cooling System Upgrade at Frank McCourt High School – $250,000. Upgrade the school’s cooling system to ensure a more comfortable and climate-resilient environment for students and staff.

But wait, there’s more! My office is funding the remaining two projects on the PB ballot: Broadway Mall repairs, and upgrades for the High School of Environmental Studies. 

Thank you to everyone who participated—whether by submitting ideas, volunteering, or casting a vote. Your involvement continues to make a real difference in shaping our community.