Over 99,250 New Yorkers voted for locally-developed capital projects across the city
City Hall, New York – Today, Speaker Corey Johnson, Council Member Carlos Menchaca and the New York City Council announced the voting results and winning proposals of the 2017-2018 Participatory Budgeting cycle. During the voting period of April 7 through April 21, over 99,250 New Yorkers voted to allocate over $28.5 million in capital funding for locally developed capital projects across 27 Council Districts in New York City. In addition, Borough President Eric L. Adams also renewed his $1 million commitment to various projects in participating Council Member districts.
“The results of this year’s Participatory Budgeting show the beauty of democracy and the difference a person can make in their community when they become engaged,” said Speaker Corey Johnson. “I want to thank my colleagues, staff, partners in government and volunteers for their participation in PB Cycle 7 and congratulate everyone on a successful turnout. I encourage all New Yorkers to continue in civic engagement and I look forward to another successful PB cycle next year.”
“As the representative of diverse communities, I have observed Participatory Budgeting provide a path to civic engagement for people who are often excluded from City decision making processes,” said Council Member Carlos Menchaca, who has overseen Participatory Budgeting for all of the Council. “PB, however, isn’t just about choosing winning projects, it is also about creating opportunities for civic participation and building stronger communities. New Yorkers are eager to lead the decision processes on topics that directly affect them. The Youth leadership in PB is especially valuable, and the non-partisan, inclusive nature of PB allows for full participation and voting regardless of political affiliation, or immigration status. More than 11,000 District 38 PB voters this year – more than anywhere else in the city – also demonstrated a vote of confidence in the PB concept itself. After five years of running PB in District 38, residents are better informed about the City’s capital budget process, more savvy about interacting with City agencies, and empowered to find creative solutions to local needs.”
“Participatory budgeting is bringing democracy back to our communities and empowering individuals to make decisions on what gets funded at the hyperlocal level,” said Borough President Adams. “I thank all of the council members participating in this year’s process for their continued commitment to amplifying the voices of Brooklynites so our constituents have a direct say in where their taxpayer dollars get spent. From school technology to street safety, this year’s funded projects reflect that all Brooklynites seek safer places to raise healthy children and families. Let’s continue to advance these shared priorities and get more people involved in the PB process, so that everyone has a stake in Brooklyn’s future.”
Along with traditional paper ballots, residents in participating districts were also able to vote online, through the 1,700 Link kiosks throughout the five boroughs using the touch screen tablet thanks to a partnership with LinkNYC and the NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) for vote promotion. The Participatory Budget app was opened on Link over 5,000 times in the course of 7 days during the voting period. The average number of voters participating per district for Cycle 7 was 3,676. New Yorkers cast 29,465 online votes and 69,787 paper ballots in the 2017-2018 Participatory Budgeting cycle.
“We always envisioned LinkNYC as a platform for civic engagement and a way to bring the democratic process to streets across the city. We were excited to support the City Council’s Participatory Budgeting efforts this year, enabling New Yorkers to vote for projects that will directly improve their quality of life,” said Jen Hensley, President of Link.
Ballots for the 2017-2018 Participatory Budgeting cycle were available in various languages other than English (86%)—Spanish (7.9%), Chinese (5.4%), Bangla (0.3), French Creole (0.2%), Russian (0.2), other 8 (0.4)—based on local demographics in participating districts. Every district featured digital voting stations at poll sites as well as pop-up mobile voting sites on commercial strips, in community centers and building lobbies using mobile electronic devices provided by Microsoft and Google.
Voting in Participatory Budgeting is open to all residents of participating districts 11 years of age and older. The sole identification requirement is proof of residency in the district, removing traditional obstacles to full civic participation such as youth, income status, English-language proficiency and citizenship status.
“PBNYC proves that you’re never too young for democracy and civic engagement. I’m excited to see PB empower even more young people in making the decisions that directly impact their lives, as it expands to high schools across NYC next year. I look forward to more Council Members joining PBNYC this summer, to show their support for real democracy,” Josh Lerner, Co-Executive Director, Participatory Budgeting Project.
“Through the efforts of the PB Youth Fellows and the support of our City Council partners, we were pleased to see youth voting totals increase from 11.5% to 16.6% of the vote this year,” said Coro Executive Director, Scott Millstein. “More importantly, we showed that young people can and should be part of all aspects of the PB process. Who better to help the city decide how to spend millions on schools, parks, and playgrounds than the young people who know the needs of their community best?”
For the 2017-2018 cycle, 27 Council Members facilitated Participatory Budgeting in their districts. Below are the winning projects for each district:
District 3: Council Member Corey Johnson
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Technology Upgrade for Public Shcools | 2,289 | $350,000 |
| Tech Library Upgrade | 2,205 | $200,000 |
| Tree Guards to Promote the Health of New and Established Trees | 1,533 | $242, 000 |
District 5: Council Member Ben Kallos
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| P.S. 290 MNS Re-Construct Kindergarten Bathroom Laptops for Public Schools | 792 | $200,000 |
| NYPL District Libraries | 712 | $200,000 |
| P.S. 183 HVAC for Cafeteria and Community Space | 666 | $600,000 |
District 6: Council Member Helen Rosenthal
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Technology Upgrade for 3 U.W.S Libraries | 2,472 | $200,000 |
| P.S. 166 Technology Upgrades | 2,065 | $250,000 |
| Tree Guards and Neighborhood Beautification | 1,733 | $42,000 |
| Window Replacement at Engine Company 74 Firehouse | 1,578 | $500,000 |
District 7: Council Member Mark Levine
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| District 7 Libraries Upgrades | 1,353 | $200,000 |
| P.S 36 Technology Upgrade | 800 | $200,000 |
| M.S. 54 Technology Upgrade | 193 | $200,000 |
| External Lighting at Grant Houses | 780 | $500,000 |
| Broadway Avenue Countdown Clocks | 748 | $60,000 |
District 8 (Manhattan): Council Member Diana Ayala
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Technology Upgrades for District 8 Libraries | 1,538 | $200,000 |
| Water Fountain Upgrades for 9 East Harlem Schools | 1,243 | $360,000 |
| South Bronx Prep Gym Renovation | 1,184 | $600,000 |
| Basketball Court Renovations at Patterson Houses | 1,083 | $500,000 |
District 8 (Bronx): Council Member Diana Ayala
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Technology Upgrades at P.S | 698 | $150,000 |
District 10: Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| District Libraries Technology Upgrades | 1,274 | $200,000 |
| Dyckman Houses Building #4 | 980 | $500,000 |
| Dyckman Houses Community Center ADA Ramp | 959 | $300,000 |
District 11: Council Member Andrew Cohen
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Bus Countdown Clocks | 1,523 | $100,000 |
| District 11 Schools Technology Upgrade | 1,480 | $480,000 |
| Moshoulu Library Structural Upgrades | 1,361 | $300,000 |
| Security Cameras for Local Police Precinct | 1,243 | $300,000 |
District 15: Council Member Ritchie Torres
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Laptops in Schools | 3,869 | $315,000 |
| Smartboards in Schools | 3,451 | $315,000 |
| New York Public Libraries Technological Upgrades | 2,262 | $200,000 |
| Safe Routes to School | 1,757 | $100,000 |
| M.S.118 Bathroom Renovations | 1,751 | $100,000 |
District 16: Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Security Cameras | 1,776 | $35,219 |
| Security Cameras | 1,458 | $35,219 |
| Science Lab for P.S./I.S. 218 | 1,379 | $600,000 |
| Technology Upgrade for NYPL Highbridge Library | 1,348 | $100,000 |
| Countdown Clocks with Bus Time Technology | 1,258 | $40,000 |
| Technology Upgrade for NYPL Morrisania Library | 1,100 | $100,000 |
District 17: Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr.
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| M.S. 302X Girls Prep Academy Auditorium Renovation | 942 | $600,000 |
| Casita Maria Educational Kitchen Space | 689 | $600,000 |
| Hunts Point Recreation Center Upgrades | 454 | $100,000 |
| BX Charter School for Arts Technology | 400 | $150,000 |
| M.S. 424X Stairs Lighting | 332 | $100,000 |
District 19: Council Member Paul Vallone
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| NYPD Security Cameras | 2,086 | $141,000 |
| Bayside High School Music Rehearsal & Equipment Storage | 1,954 | $600,000 |
| J.H.S. 194 Gymnasium Renovation | 1,906 | $300,000 |
District 22: Council Member Costa Constantinides
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Road Repair and Resurfacing | 1,667 | $250,000 |
| STEM Lab at I.S. 141 | 1,658 | $300,000 |
| Improving Children’s Area in Queens Library Astoria Branch | 1,637 | $300,000 |
| Lighting at Astoria Houses Community Center | 1,395 | $150,000 |
District 26: Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Tech Upgrades for Schools | 4,785 | $500,000 |
| Children’s Room/Auditorium Renovation | 2,159 | $500,000 |
| Gymnasium Renovations | 2,147 | $900,000 |
| Bus Countdown Clocks Throughout District | 1,921 | $300,000 |
| Street Trees Throughout District | 1,921 | $300,000 |
| Tech Upgrades Borden Avenue Veterans Shelter | 1,182 | $79,000 |
District 27: Council Member I. Daneek Miller
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Mobile Laptop Computers & Arts | 1,094 | $300,000 |
| Auditorium Upgrades | 881 | $375,000 |
| Campus Magnet Gym Upgrades | 747 | $400,000 |
| Football Field House Upgrades at Campus Magnet | 691 | $500,000 |
| Water Fountains with Bottle Refilling Stations | 672 | $120,000 |
District 29: Council Member Karen Koslowitz
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Water Fountains with Water Bottle Fill Stations | 1,883 | $120,000 |
| Bathroom Renovations | 1,878 | $500,000 |
| Bus Countdown Clocks | 1,632 | $350,000 |
District 30: Council Member Donovan Richards
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| P.S. 355/P.S. 356 Auditorium Repairs | 1,235 | $500,000 |
| Springfield High School Bathroom Upgrade | 1,199 | $100,000 per bathroom |
| PS 355/PS 356 New PA System | 1,097 | $1,000,000 |
| Part of 10 PS 132 Water Fountain Upgrade* | 852 | $50,000 *BK BP Funding Project |
District 33: Council Member Steve Levin
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Plant Trees in Bed Stuy | 1,741 | $210,000 |
| Pedestrian Safety Improvements on Clay, Franklin and Commercial | 1,698 | $300,000 |
| 8 New Water Fountains (4 each) P.S./I.S. 157 and P.S. 318 | 1,516 | 80,000 |
| Pedestrian and Bicycle Connector Improvements at Atlantic Avenue and Brooklyn Bridge Park | 1,450 | $300,000 |
| Bathroom Renovation at George Westinghouse High School | 1,403 | $300,000 |
| Provide 6 Laptop Carts to P.S/I.S. 157 | 1,352 | $250,000 (BP Funding Project) |
District 34: Council Member Antonio Reynoso
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Green Up P.S. 147 | 2,074 | $500,000 |
| Street Tree Planting | 743 | $450,000 |
| Hydroponic Farm at PS 274 | 620 | $250,000 |
| P.S. 299 Computer Lab | 478 | $150,000 (BP Funding Project) |
District 35: Council Member Laurie Cumbo
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Medgar Evers College Prep Technology Upgrades | 2,524 | $250,000 |
| P.S. 20 Building Safety Upgrades | 2,297 | $250,000 |
| Clinton Hill Library | 1,772 | $150,000 |
| Ebbets Field Middle School | 1,720 | $175,000 |
District 36: Council Member Robert Cornegy
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| P.S. 23 Carter G. Woodson –Air Conditioning Installation | 1,417 | $450,000 |
| Tompkins Childrens Park Upgrade | 1,384 | $500,000 |
District 38: Council Member Carlos Menchaca
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| SAV Technology for School Auditorium P.S.1, P.S. 105, P.S.169, M.S.821
|
6,337 | $600,000 |
| Better Technology for Classrooms & Libraries
|
6,047 | $750,000 |
| Renovation of Rainbow Playground
|
5,796 | $500,000 |
| P.S. 94 Security Camera
|
4,799 | $450,000 (BP Funding Project) |
District 39: Council Member Brad Lander
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Replace Derelict Kindergarten Sinks at P.S 282
|
4,036 | $200,000 |
| Make P.S. 118 Schoolyard Accessible
|
3,808 | $200,000 |
| Senior Fitness Playground
|
3,357 | $400,000 |
| Harmony Playground Improvements
|
2,973 | $450,000 |
| Resurface the Soccer Field in Albemarle Playground
|
2,945 | $500,000 (BP Funding Project) |
District 40: Council Member Mathieu Eugene
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| New HVAC Unit for Ditmas Junior High School | 1,545 | $450,000 |
| Flatbush Fit! Adult Fitness Area | 972 | $5000,000 |
| School Library Upgrade at MS2 Parkside Prep | 869 | $150,000 |
District 44: Council Member Kalman Yeger
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| NYPD Security Cameras
|
1,508 | $150,000 |
| Bus Countdown Clocks
|
1,473 | $250,000 |
| Street Resurfacing | 1,383 | $250,000 |
| Trench Restoration | 1,236 | $300,000 |
| School Safety Measures | 1,018 | $250,000 |
| Part of 8.Murrow TV Studio | 849 | $100,000 |
| Trench Restoration & School Safety Measures | $300,000 & $$250,000 (BP Funding Project) |
District 45: Council Member Jumaane Williams
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| P.S. 208 Computer Lab Upgrades
|
1,480 | $350,000 |
| I.S. 285 Auditorium Upgrade & Locker Installation
|
1,324 | $500,000 |
| P.S. 193 Library Upgrade | 1,233 | $450,000 (BP Funding Project) |
District 47: Council Member Mark Treyger
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Technology for P.S 212
|
971 | $150,000 |
| Security Cameras
|
696 | $140,000 |
| Coney Island Library Technology
|
691 | $50,000 |
| Ocean Parkway Malls
|
610 | $500,000 |
| Technology for P.S./I.S. 288 | 488 | $150,000 |
| I.S. 281 Auditorium Project | 472 | $500,000 (BP Funding Project) |
District 49: Council Member Debi Rose
| Project | Votes | Funding Amount |
| Advanced School Learning Upgrades (ASLU) | 1,199 | $475,000 |
| North Shore District Libraries Technology Upgrade | 981 | $200,000 |
| Mariners Harbor Basketball Court | 707 | $500,000 |
A map of winning projects and full voting results by district can be viewed at www.council.nyc.gov/pb