It’s almost time to vote on participatory budgeting projects for 2017. What is “participatory budgeting” you ask? Well, it’s not as boring as it’s name makes it sound.
Starting Saturday, March 25, residents of City Council District 8 — which spans East Harlem, Randall’s Island and parts of the South Bronx — will be allowed to vote on how the government should spend $1 million on various community projects. That’s right: the tax money is in your hands now.
This year Council District 8 residents can vote on 15 different projects which address community needs such as housing and school improvements, park upgrades and senior center renovations.
Heres a full list of projects:
- Playground Renovations at East River Houses, $500,000;
- Playground Renovations at Wilson Houses, $500,000;
- Renovations at Covello Senior Center, $500,000;
- Upgrades for Tom’s Dog Run, $154,000;
- Basketball Court Renovations at Jefferson Houses, $500,000;
- Technology Upgrades for Manhattan Center High School, Renaissance School of the Arts and Tag Young Scholars, $350,000;
- Water Fountain Upgrades for Manhattan Center H.S., Harlem Village Academy, P.S. 57 and J.H.S. 45., $200,000;
- BBQ Sitting Area at Wagner Houses Senior Center, $500,000;
- Improve Exterior Lighting at Mill Brook Houses, $500,000;
- Outdoor Seating Area at Betances, $500,000;
- Air Conditioning for P.S. 30, $500,000;
- Improve Exterior Lighting at Mitchel Houses, $500,000;
- Air Conditioning at Mott Haven Library, $500,000;
- Basketball Court Renovations at Patterson Houses, $500,000;
- Year-Round Art Space at M.S. 221 and M.S. 223, $350,000.
Patch has reached out to City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito’s office about where and when Council District residents can vote on projects. This article will be updated with voting locations.
To check out the information in map form click here.
Watch the video below to learn more about how participatory budgeting works:
Screenshot courtesy of NY City Council
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