District 33 PB Vote: New Lockers, Improved Parks, Or Safer Streets
Voting for Participatory Budgeting begins this Saturday, March 25.
Below is a list of the 15 project proposals on the ballot for Council Member Stephen Levin’s District 33 (Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Fulton Ferry, Greenpoint, Vinegar Hill, Williamsburg).
With new online voting, it’s easier than ever to participate in the project that City Council Member Brad Lander calls “about as pure as democracy comes,” giving neighbors the chance to brainstorm, research, and develop projects to improve the community.
Many of the projects focus on schools, green spaces, the arts, and housing, and are led by neighbors and community leaders who can see directly what needs improving block-by-block.
Residents aged 14 and up are eligible to vote, either online or at locations throughout your district, between March 25 and April 2 (midnight to midnight).
For 2017, ten Brooklyn city council members have opted in, including Jumaane Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Flatlands, and Midwood); Brad Lander (Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Kensington, and Gowanus); and Mathieu Eugene (Ditmas Park, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Midwood, and Crown Heights). (Check out the full list here)
District 33 Ballot
Education
New Exterior Sign, Williamsburg Library
Budget: $70,000
Location: Williamsburg Library, 240 Division Avenue, Williamsburg
Install a new stainless steel sign with update-able hours of service and messages to promote library initiatives.
New Seating In School Auditorium, Juan Morel Campos
Budget: $450,000
Location: IS 71, 215 Heyward Street, Williamsburg
Replace over six hundred (600) 47-year-old seats in the auditorium shared by four public schools and neighborhood groups.
New Lockers For 13 Classrooms, Robert Fulton School
Budget: $115,000
Location: MS 8, 105 Johnson Street, Downtown Brooklyn
Install lockers to give students a place to put their textbooks and belongings.
Technology Upgrade For Two (2) Special Needs Schools
Budget: $250,000
Location: PS 231 & PS 369, Bed-Stuy & Downtown Brooklyn
Help 165 students on the Autism Spectrum who rely on technology get new laptops to improve their learning experience.
Upgrade Electrical For Air Conditioning, Monitor School
Budget: $175,000
Location: PS 110, 124 Monitor Street, Greenpoint
Upgrade wiring in classrooms for air conditioning units purchased by the school. Cooler classrooms help students learn.
STEAM Lab For Samuel Dupont Elementary School
Budget: $218,000
Location: PS 31, 75 Meserole Avenue, Greenpoint
Outfit pre-K to 5th grade classrooms with new STEAM Labs for teaching and learning. Prepare students for the future.
STEM Lab For John Wayne Elementary School
Budget: $250,000
Location: PS 380, 370 Marcy Avenue, Williamsburg
Construction of a STEM lab will allow over 800 students access to new technology, preparing them for success.
Parks
Repair Toddler Playground At Independence Towers
Budget: $500,000
Location: Independence Towers, 130 Clymer, Williamsburg
Install new safety surface and replace broken equipment for toddler playground.
Water Source and Paving at McGolrick Park
Budget: $500,000
Location: McGolrick Park, Greenpoint
Install water sources for irrigation of plants and grass and complete the repaving of the sidewalks and paths.
Safety Lighting at Middleton Playground
Budget: $500,000
Location: Middleton Playground, South Williamsburg
Increase lighting for this popular playground for the benefit and security of the neighborhood.
Picnic Grove in McCarren Park
Budget: $400,000
Location: McCarren Park, Greenpoint
Provide a tranquil, comfortable outdoor setting for neighborhood residents to enjoy.
Streets & Transit
Traffic Calming Measures at Atlantic & 3rd Avenues
Budget: $524,000
Location: Atlantic Avenue and 3rd Avenue, Boerum Hill
Implement traffic calming measures to protect pedestrians and bicyclists in support of an existing “Slow Zone.”
Pedestrian Safety, Williamsburg
Budget: $250,000
Location: Meeker & Metropolitan Avenues, North Williamsburg
Continue to improve safety at Meeker & Metropolitan Avenues that will shorten crossing times and encourage slower speeds.
Repair Broken Sidewalks at Independence Towers
Budget: $350,000
Location: Taylor Street, between Bedford Avenue & Wythe Street, Williamsburg
Repair broken sidewalks outside Independence Towers Community Center to make walking home safe for all.
Real Time Bus Clocks
Budget: $300,000
Location: District-wide
Install electronic signs providing live, up-to-date arrival times at 12 stops along the B62/B32 bus routes.
There are more projects on the Participatory Budgeting map by district here.