Is there a Bayside, Whitestone, College Point, Douglaston or Flushing project that needs funding?
Residents of Council District 19 are invited to submit improvement project ideas for consideration as part of this year’s round of participatory budgeting. At least $1 million in funding is up for grabs and can be used toward improvements to schools, streets, parks and other community spaces, Councilman Paul Vallone announced Tuesday.
The participatory budgeting process is meant to get more residents involved in their local communities. As the first step in the process, residents are asked to submit their ideas through an interactive web portal or at one of multiple to-be-announced neighborhood assemblies.
Participants can also use the portal to see which projects have already been proposed and voice their support for certain ones.
After the community decides which proposals should make the final ballot, a public vote will be held.
Last year’s winning projects included an electrical upgrade at Bayside’s P.S. 41, 3,200 new lockers for Bayside High School and a technology upgrade at Whitestone Library. In total, over 6,000 votes were cast and nearly $1.4 million was awarded.
“Participatory budgeting is a great way to get the pulse of the community on and see what everyone believes city dollars and resources should be spent,” Vallone said. “The enormous success and participation in previous cycles clearly shows that the district overwhelmingly supported the process, and we are proud to commit to participatory budgeting for every year I am privileged to represent this great district.”
Anyone with questions regarding participatory budgeting should contact Councilman Paul Vallone’s office at 718-619-8611 or by email at district19[at]council.nyc.gov.
