By Gabriel Rom
Participatory Budgeting is returning to Elizabeth Crowley’s (D-Middle Village) Council District 30. Residents of Middle Village, Maspeth, Glendale, northwest Woodhaven, much of Ridgewood and some of Woodside have started the process of deliberating over how to best distribute the $1 million allocated to their communities. The first of a series of scheduled participatory budgeting neighborhood meetings was held on Sept. 10, with more to follow in the coming weeks.
“This year, I am able to bring Participatory Budgeting to my constituents and give them insight into the often lengthy and sometimes very expensive city budgeting process. This will provide a forum for active engagement between residents and myself to decide on capital projects, and calls for the participation of every community member,” Crowley said.
The eight-month participatory budgeting process begins with neighborhood assemblies, where residents can present and discuss ideas in their early stages.
Later in the fall, those interested in moving forward with their ideas will meet with the councilwoman’s staff to facilitate discussions with city agencies and nail down how much a project would cost.
Crowley hopes to do a project in each neighborhood, and a series of public meetings will be hosted in each community. “We want the district’s participation,” Crowley said. “This budgeting process is by the community, for the community.”
Voting will occur over a one week period in early spring. The remaining assemblies will be held at various locations throughout Crowley’s district between Sept. 19 and Oct. 7.
Reach reporter Gabriel Rom by e-mail at grom@
