Harlem Council Member Mark Levine Hosts Participatory Budgeting Kick Off Event

Yesterday, Harlem Council Member Mark Levine held a Kick Off Event for his 3rd Annual Participatory Budgeting (PB) Vote Week. Dozens of local residents visited the Council Member’s community office to cast their vote for what they think the $1 million in public funds should be spent on. PB empowers local residents to vote for project proposals developed by community stakeholders that they would like to see funded. Voters are able to choose their top five selections out of 11 project proposals.

“Participatory budgeting engages all New Yorkers in the governing process by giving them the tools to decide what improvements they’d like to see in their neighborhood. Many of the creative project proposals on the ballot would not have come to light without input from the community. I’m proud to offer District 7 residents the opportunity to directly decide what they’d like to see funded by their own tax dollars,” said Harlem Council Member Mark Levine.

Eligible voters only need to be 14 years old and do not have to be registered to vote. The project proposals on the ballot were developed by members of the community at PB Assemblies held last fall. The full list of proposals on the ballot along with voting locations below:

Parks & Recreation

·         PS125 Courtyard / Playground Upgrade

Transportation

• Real-Time Automated Bus Schedules at Four Bus Stops along Amsterdam Avenue
• Illuminate Cherry Walk on Hudson River Greenway, Henry Hudson Parkway South

Education

• PS125 Cafeteria Upgrade
• PS/MS165 Playground Renovation
• M195 Restroom Renovation/Upgrade

Public Housing

• Security Cameras at St. Mary’s Nursing Home
• Douglass Housing Exterior Lighting & Grounds Work
• Grant Houses’ Ground & Pavement Repair
• Manhattanville Housing Outdoor Terrace Lighting
• Riverstone Senior Center Exterior Lighting Upgrade

To find out more regarding Harlem Council Member Mark Levine.