UPDATE: PB Cycle 9 voting has been POSTPONED. In response to the current public health crisis, and to maintain the safety of Council staff and the communities they serve, New York City Council has decided to cancel the upcoming vote week.
Just about when the cherry trees begin to bud, is a herald of an annual occurrence that makes hearts sing after a long grey winter. I’m not speaking of Spring — the Participatory Budgeting Vote for Cycle 9 is set for the week of March 28–April 5! You vote. You get to pick FIVE projects that you want to become a reality in your community. Voter eligibility is more inclusive too. To vote you have to be 11-years old or older and reside in the district they are voting for projects in.
The winning projects will be funded with around $1.5M of discretionary funds in the public budget for each district. You can vote at one of your district’s polling sites or online.
The Greenline covers the community in City Council Districts 33 and 34, their ballot items and voting schedules follow below.
District 33’s ballot has both capital budget projects and expense budget projects to vote on. Voters will get the standard Participatory Budgeting Ballot, which will allocate $1.5 million for capital projects. The second ballot will dole out $20,000 for expense projects.
“Expense projects are smaller, one shot ideas such as equipment for a senior center, weekly artist’s visits for Alzheimer’s patients, or a study of wildlife in one of our parks,” stated District 33’s Council Member Stephen Levin in October 2018 when this element was first created for the ballot.
To sign up to host a site or volunteer go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrXSJnmbZXkP2tgR-CqGU2OYjkszjAWP6sut8gvDJfGwFRdQ/viewform
Or contact Benjamin at bsolotaire@council.nyc.gov
DISTRICT 33 STANDARD BALLOT PROJECTS (those located in North Brooklyn)
To see entire list and polling site schedule (TBD by the week before vote week) go to: http://www.stephenlevin.nyc/pb-2020-vote-week
Gateway to Greenpoint –Newtown Creek Alliance — $250K
Funding will support beautifying this industrial area with gardens, a rest area and green infrastructure
Up to 75 Trees Planted & Tree Guards as needed throughout District 33 — $225K
Trees make every block better by providing shade and cleaner air. Help all D33 residents have a healthier environment.
P.S. 34: Community Room Sound System upgrades — $300K
Will fund improvements to the sound system and provide sound proofing in P.S. 34’s multiuse basement cafeteria/gym/auditorium space.
Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design (WHSAD) Upgrade 2 Bathrooms to ADA Accessibility — $300K
Funding to provide repairs and upgrades to the second floor and third floor bathroom serving our female students.
Exciting New Playground for I.S. 71 — $300K
This will be the final funding piece to turn an asphalt slab into an exciting and fun new playground for kids.
P.S. 380: 32 New Smart Boards Schoolwide — $208K
Funding for this will replace old technology with brand new smart boards so all the students can learn in a more interactive way.
Provide 7 New Water Stations in each of 3 Schools (one is P.S. 54) — $162K
Clean fresh water is important to everyone. Funding this project will help three schools get seven brand new water bottle stations each.
P.S. 31: Library Based Multimedia Lab — $100K
Funding for this will create a multimedia center for research, integrated learning, and streaming with new computers and broadcast equipment.
DISTRICT 33 EXPENSE BALLOT PROJECTS (those located in North Brooklyn)
North Brooklyn Parks Alliance, Electric Parks Equipment — $10K
Green Equipment Initiative replaces gas-powered equipment, ie: leaf blowers & lawn mowers with cleaner electric versions.
Pilsudski Institute: 30 Polish Culture Workshops — $10K
Provide up to 30 cultural workshops around the history, art, music and literature of Poland for adults and kids.
Newtown Creek Alliance: Environmental Workshops for students — $10K
Provide Teach the Teacher workshops, free environmental fieldtrips and educational materials for participating classes.
Bindlestiff’s Cirkus: 10 Circus Workshops for middle school students — $10K
10 workshops for special needs students in circus arts bringing creativity and physical expertise together.
Greenpoint Tree Maintenance Materials — $10K
Tree watering and pruning supplies for citizen tree care group, as well as tree care info sessions and workshops.
DISTRICT 34 STANDARD BALLOT PROJECTS (those located in North Brooklyn)
For more information go to: https://council.nyc.gov/antonio-reynoso/pb/9/
Replace Outdated Tech. at Lyons Community School — $220K
Funding for this project will provide technology upgrades that will include multiple laptops carts, desktops, printers, and smart boards for the school.
M.S. 50 Gym Upgrade, El Puente Beacon & Success A— $250K
This upgrade includes a new divider, new padding, and new water fountains. This makes the space functional for all the community.
21st Century Technology for two schools (one is P.S. 257) — $450K
The technology upgrades, funding for this project will provide, include laptops, printers, projector, speakers, and smart boards for classrooms.
New Media Libraries for P.S. 319 and P.S. 299 — $400K
Funding here will help these schools to upgrade their existing libraries by installing new smartboards, printers, projectors and laptops.
Upgrade to Playground at Maria Hernandez Park — $400K ($3M for full upgrade)
Funding will go towards making playground safer and innovative. Project begins once funding is complete.
Upgrade to Frost Street Playground — $400k ($1M for full upgrade)
Funding will go towards improving the playground. Project begins once funding is complete
The Greenline 