It’s Participatory Budgeting time again and City Council Member Steve Levin wants to know how you would spend up to 1.5 million dollars of the city’s money. “These funds can go towards capital projects in our parks, our schools—or wherever else the residents of our district decide,” Council Member Levin explains via his Tumblr blog.
Levin resides over District 33 which encompasses Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Williamsburg, DUMBO, Greenpoint, Bed-Stuy and Vinegar Hill. D33 has it’s own Participatory Budgeting Facebook page where you can “collaborate with other volunteers and voters and stay up to date on the latest news.”
All constituents of D33 aged 14 and over may cast their ballot for up to five projects. Voting takes place the week of March 26th and centers will be set up across District 33. Conveniently, Brooklyn Heights residents may vote right here in the hood at P.S.8, 37 Hicks Street on March 30th or 31st from 8am – 11am.
M.S. 8 received $200,000 for technology upgrades at the middle school in 2013. Here are just some of the many proposed projects for 2016:
- Finish the Upgrades w/PS261 Computer Carts
314 Pacific St., Boerum Hill
PS261 is a K-5 school with 800 students. The wiring was upgraded but to utilize the improvements the students need new computers; four new carts will give them what they need!
$140,000 - NYCHA Grounds Renovations Focused on Seating
Wyckoff Gardens & Gowanus Houses, Gowanus
Gowanus & Wyckoff residents will help determine grounds improvements, to be installed at two NYCHA developments, resulting in more pleasant areas for enjoying time outdoors and talking with friends.
$550,000 - Additional Turnstiles at York St Subway (F Train)
York St Subway Station, DUMBO
Install additional turnstiles for York St Station in 2017 which will reduce congestion and long lines for the 9,000 weekday riders now limited to only two turnstiles.
$250,000
