Voting Underway For Participatory Budgeting – Here’s How To Cast Your Ballot
The votes started trickling in this weekend for Participatory Budgeting (PB), which allows community members help decide how New York City Council members use capital funds designated for their districts.
City Council’s Mark Treyger, Carlos Menchaca and David Greenfied are all participating in the progressive initiative.
“As a former civics teacher, I am proud to bring Participatory Budgeting to our district and give residents a real say over how their tax dollars are spent to improve the community. As a result of this exercise in democracy, citizens are no longer just bystanders in the annual budget process, but are active participants who are shaping how their money is reinvested in their neighborhood,” Treyger wrote on his Facebook page.
After a series of community assemblies at the end of last year, during which participants brainstormed project ideas, special committees narrowed down and fleshed out ideas into feasible plans. The projects, which range in expense from $50,000 to $500,000 fall into five categories: schools, libraries, streets and transportation, housing, and parks and recreation.
The rules vary slightly by district, some allowing residents of the district to start voting at age 14, while others require voters to prove that they are at least 16 years of age. All participants must bring a valid form of identification.
A convenient map, available on the city’s PB website illustrates exactly where all the proposed projects are located. Here is a breakdown of the proposed projects proposed in our area:
District 47 – Councilman Mark Treyger
Participatory budget voting has begun in Coney Island! @PB_NYC @NYCCouncil pic.twitter.com/aqhP6ba5I7
— Mark Treyger (@MarkTreyger718) April 12, 2015
Who can vote: Anyone over 16 years old who lives in the district is eligible to participate.
When to Vote: Cast a ballot for your favorite projects during the voting period from April 11th through April 19.
What to vote on:
Where to vote:
| Date | Time | Location | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 4/12 | 12-3p | Our Lady of Grace Church Fair | 431 Avenue W | |
| Mon 4/13 | 12p-8p | Coney Island District Office | 445 Neptune Avenue, Community Room 2C | |
| Mon 4/13 | 12p-8p | Bensonhurst/Gravesend District Office | 2015 Stillwell Ave | |
| Tues 4/14 | 10:30a-1p | Marlboro Senior Center | 2298 West 8th Street | |
| Tues 4/14 – Thurs 4/16 | 9a-5p | Bensonhurst/Gravesend District Office | 2015 Stillwell Ave | |
| Tues 4/14 – Thurs 4/16 | 9a-5p | Coney Island District Office | 445 Neptune Avenue, Community Room 2C | |
| Thurs 4/16 | 1:30-3:30p | Scarangella Park | Bay 43rd Street between Stillwell Ave & Benson Ave | |
| Fri 4/17 | 9a-12p | Coney Island District Office | 445 Neptune Avenue, Community Room 2C | |
| Fri 4/17 | 9a-12p | Bensonhurst/Gravesend District Office | 2015 Stillwell Ave |
District 44 – Councilman David Greenfield
Who can vote: Anyone over 16 years old who lives in the district is eligible to participate.
When to Vote: Cast a ballot for your favorite projects during the voting period from April 11th through April 19.
What to vote on:
Where to vote:
| Date | Time | Location | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 4/12 – Thurs 4/16 | 7:30a-10:30p | Boro Park Jewish Community Council | 4912 14th Avenue | |
| Mon 4/13 | 1-4p | Midwood Public Library | 975 E. 16th Street | |
| Mon 4/13 – Fri 4/17 | 10a-5p | Community Board 11 | 2214 Bath Avenue | |
| Mon 4/13 – Thurs 4/16 | 10a-5p | Community Board 12 | 5910 13th Avenue | |
| Mon 4/13 – Wed 4/15 | 9a-6p | Boro Park District Office | 4424 16th Avenue | |
| Tues 4/14 | 1-4p | Ryder Public Library | 5902 23rd Avenue | |
| Tues 4/14 | 9a-1p | FDR High School | 5800 20th Ave | |
| Wed 4/15 | 1-4p | Mapleton Public Library | 1702 60th Street | |
| Weds 4/15 | 12:30p | Gravesend Park | 18th Ave and 38th St | |
| Thurs 4/16 | 9a-9p | Boro Park District Office | 4424 16th Avenue | |
| Thurs 4/16 | 1-4p | Kensington Public Library | 4207 18th Avenue | |
| Thurs 4/16 | 12:30p | Kolbert Prak | E 17th St | |
| Fri 4/17 | 12-3p | Highlawn Public Library | 1664 West 13 Street | |
| Fri 4/17 | 10a-4p | Community Board 12 | 5910 13th Avenue | |
| Fri 4/17 | 9a-4p | Boro Park District Office | 4424 16th Avenue | |
| Fri 4/17 | 7:30a-2p | Boro Park Jewish Community Council | 4912 14th Avenue | |
| Sun 4/18 | 12-3p | Young Israel | 1694 Ocean Parkway |
District 38 – Councilman Carlos Menchaca
Who can vote: Anyone over 14 years old who lives in the district is eligible to participate.
When to Vote: Cast a ballot for your favorite projects during the voting period from April 11th through April 19.
What to vote on:
Where to vote:
| Date | Time | Location | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 4/11 – Sun 4/19 | 3-7p | Greenwood Park | 555 7th Ave | |
| 4/13 – 4/17 | 2p-6p | Slope Park | 6 Ave. between 18 St. and 19 St. | |
| 4/13 – 4/17 | 2p-6p | Coffey Park | 85 Richards St | |
| 4/13 – 4/17 | 3p-8p | Red Hook Houses | 55 Dwight Street | |
| 4/13 – 4/17 | 2p-6p | Sunset Park | 41 St., 44 St., btwn 5 Ave & 7 Ave | |
| Mon 4/13 – Fri 4/17 | 3-8p | Miccio Cornerstone Community Center | 110 West 9th St | |
| Mon 4/13 – Fri 4/17 | 3-8p | Red Hook Initiative | 767 Hicks St | |
| Mon 4/13 – Fri 4/17 | 3-6p | UPROSE | 166a 22nd St | |
| Mon 4/13 – Fri 4/17 | 10a-6p | District Office | 4417 4th Ave | |
| Mon 4/13 – Fri 4/17 | 3-8p | Chinese American Planning Council | 4101 8th Ave | |
| Sun 4/12 | 2-5p | Sunset Park High School | 153 35th St | |
| Tue 4/14 | 3-8p | Red Hook Library | 7 Wolcott St | |
| Tue 4/14 | 3-6p | Sunset Park Library | 5108 4th Ave | |
| Tue 4/14 & Thu 4/16 | 3-8p | Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow | 783 4th Ave | |
| Wed 4/15 | 3-6p | Red Hook Library | 7 Wolcott St | |
| Wed 4/15 | 3-8p | Sunset Park Library | 5108 4th Ave | |
| Sat 4/18 | 3-6p | Sunset Park Library | 5108 4th Ave | |
| Sat 4/18 | 1-5p | Red Hook Library | 7 Wolcott St |