Love Thy Neighbor: Upcoming Vote to Fund Community Projects

By on March 24, 2016 2:32 pm in Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Education, Government, Other Brooklyn, Politics, Vinegar Hill

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

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  • Jeffrey Smith

    First of all, allocate public safety funds in an area of most urgent need

    Fund Far better lighting on Joralemon street. Eliminate dark spots using intelligent shaped lighting which will be bright, will not unduly intrude into houses.

    Second, place really high def cameras above yhr high traffic and high disorder incidence intersections of Hicks and Joralemon and Henry and Joralemon. The right cameras will yield strong identifications and the deterrent so critically needed now at these two critical junctures.

    These two simple measures, utilizing available, affordable, off-the-shelf technology would yield much increased public safety not only on this one avenue but certainly, for surrounding blocks which are experiencing increased security concerns.