Participatory Budgeting Is Back; Here’s Where To Vote Between March 26 To April 3

Heather Chin -
Image via CM Menchaca’s office.

We all know that Primary Day is coming up soon (Tuesday, April 19) as part of this big presidential election year, but what about super local politics? We can’t forget to #GetOutTheVote for participatory budgeting (PBNYC), too!

In case you don’t already know, participatory budgeting is the process where residents of a specific City Council district get to vote on neighborhood projects that they would like to spend at least $1 million of Council money on making a reality.

So, that broken basketball court or park pathway that needs to be renovated and made safe? Or the outdated bathroom and technology at local schools? Or the lack of stairwell lighting and security cameras at public housing projects? That’s what this is about.

VOTE WEEK for Council District 38, led by Councilmember Carlos Menchaca Cumbo, runs from this Saturday, March 26 through Sunday, April 3 and every resident — aged 14 and older — is eligible to vote. You do NOT need to be a registered voter, legal resident, or U.S. citizen to participate. You are only required to present identification, a utility bill, or other document stating your name and address.

There are 13 projects on the ballot. They include projects to upgrade auditoriums, air conditioning, and libraries at MS 88, PS 1, and Sunset Park High School (three projects, for a combined $945K); repaving the asphalt, replacing the chain link fence, adding picnic tables, and installing 20 benches in Sunset Park ($500K); fixing cracks and potholes throughout Sunset Park and Windsor Terrace ($250K); and adding tree guards across District 38 ($260K).

Learn more about these and more at one or more of the three PROJECT EXPOS:

  • Saturday, March 26 ǁ 1:00 – 3:00 pm ǁ Sunset Park Recreation Center – 4200 7th Avenue
  • Wednesday, March 30 ǁ 5:00 pm ǁ MS 88 – 544 7th Avenue
  • Thursday, March 31 ǁ 6:00 pm ǁ The Red Hook Initiative – 767 Hicks Street

And here’s the list of all the VOTING LOCATIONS:

  • CM Menchaca’s District Office – 4417 4th Avenue, Ground Floor
    Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 – 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Red Hook Initiative – 767 Hicks Street
    Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1* – 12-8 PM
    *On Thursday, March 31, PB Expo will take place from 6-8 PM at Red Hook Initiative
  • Red Hook Library – 7 Wolcott Street
    Tuesday, March 29 – 1-8 PM
    Thursday, March 31 – 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Red Hook Community Justice Center* – 88 Visitation Place
    Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 — 9 AM to 5 PM
    *Will have Mobile Sites on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 AM to 1 PM.
  • Miccio Center (Red Hook East/Joseph Miccio Community Center) – 110 W 9th Street
    Tuesday, March 29 – 6-9 PM
    Wednesday, March 30 – 11 AM to 1 PM
    Thursday, March 31 – 11 AM to 1 PM and 6-9 PM
  • CPC (Chinese-American Planning Council) – 4101 8th Avenue, 4th Floor
    Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 – 9 AM to 5 PM
  • BCA (Brooklyn Chinese-American Association) – 5002 8th Avenue
    Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 – 9 AM to 5 PM
  • AAFE (Asian American For Equality) – 807 48th St, 2nd Floor
    Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 – 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Sunset Park Library – 5108 4th Ave at 51st Street
    Wednesday, March 30 – 2-6 PM
    Friday, April 1 – 2-6 PM
    Saturday, April 2 – 12-3 PM
  • Sunset Park – 41st St and 44th St between 5th Ave and 7th Avenue
    Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1*
    *Times will vary throughout vote week
  • Brooklyn Borough Hall – 209 Joralemon Street
    Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 – 10 AM to 5 PM