City Politics
Winning Participatory Budgeting Projects Across Brooklyn Are Announced
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams announced on Tuesday the impact of his $1 million capital budget investment in Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) of participatory budgeting (PB), a democratic process in which local residents directly decide how to spend part of a public budget, which increased the number of community-driven projects funded in council districts that encompass more than 60 percent of Brooklyn. Tens of thousands of Brooklyn residents cast ballots at locations across the borough — including at Brooklyn Borough Hall — during the 2018-2019 participatory budgeting cycle voting period, which took place between Saturday, April 7th and Sunday, April 15th. Borough President Adams’ $1 million contribution was apportioned equally to winning projects from the votes conducted by the 10 council members in the borough who are participating in PB this year.
This year’s voting cycle expanded the reach to more Brooklynites as votes could be cast online at locations across the borough and at LinkNYC kiosks. Borough President Adams highlighted how the continued growth of PB in Brooklyn is helping to advance the causes of civic engagement, fiscal transparency and good government throughout the city.
“Participatory budgeting is bringing democracy back to our communities, empowering individuals to make decisions on what gets funded at the hyperlocal level,” said Borough President Adams. “I thank all of the council members participating in this year’s process for their continued commitment to amplifying the voices of Brooklynites so our constituents have a direct say in where their taxpayer dollars get spent. From school technology to street safety, this year’s funded projects reflect that all Brooklynites seek safer places to raise healthy children and families. Let’s continue to advance these shared priorities and get more people involved in the PB process so that everyone has a stake in Brooklyn’s future.”
The $100,000 designated by Borough President Adams for PB in each participating council district expanded that council member’s committed PB allotment, resulting in additional projects winning funding in the upcoming fiscal year:
- Laptop carts at PS/IS 157 The Benjamin Franklin Health Science Academy in Bedford-Stuyvesant, in partnership with Councilman Stephen F. Levin
- Broadband system and computer upgrades at PS 299 Thomas Warren Field School in Bushwick, in partnership with Councilman Antonio Reynoso
- Auditorium upgrades, including a new stage floor, lighting, sound system, paint, curtains and chairs at PS 9 Teunis G. Bergen in Prospect Heights, in partnership with Councilwoman Laurie A. Cumbo
- Auditorium upgrade to a public performance and community gathering space at PS 23 Carter G. Woodson Elementary School in Bedford-Stuyvesant, in partnership with Councilman Robert E. Cornegy, Jr.
- Security cameras at PS 94 The Henry Longfellow School in Sunset Park, in partnership with Councilman Carlos Menchaca
- Replacement of damaged and hazardous turf for the soccer field at Albermarle Playground in Kensington, in partnership with Councilman Brad Lander
- Library upgrade at MS 2 Parkside Preparatory Academy in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, in partnership with Councilman Mathieu Eugene
- Sidewalk extensions and school safety measures near PS 134 in Kensington, in partnership with Council member Kalman Yeger
- Trench restoration along 16th Avenue in Borough Park, in partnership with Council member Kalman Yeger
- STEAM library upgrades at PS 193 Gil Hodges in Midwood, in partnership with Councilman Jumaane D. Williams
- Auditorium upgrades and supplemental cooling system installation at IS 281 Joseph B. Cavallaro in Gravesend, in partnership with Councilman Mark Treyger.
A map of winning projects and full voting results by district can be viewed at pbnyc.org.