Northeast Queens will see a host of capital improvements after another record-setting round of participatory budget voting by the community.
Three proposed community projects for areas including Bayside and Whitestone will become reality after winning a total of $1,041,000 in funding, Councilman Paul Vallone announced on May 1. Residents cast over 8,000 votes in District 19 — the most of any other Council District in the borough.
Garnering the most votes was a project to fund and install four NYPD security cameras throughout the district in an effort to enhance crime prevention. A total $141,000 will be allocated to fund the project after it received just over 2,000 votes.
“Thank you to Councilman Paul Vallone and the community for selecting the NYPD security cameras in the participatory budget vote,” said Jerry Filippidis, president of the 109th Precinct Community Council. “It is with great police work and crime prevention tools like the NYPD Security Cameras that help the NYPD continue to lower crime rates and keep our city safe.”
Jack Fried, president of the 111th Precinct Community Council, said the cameras are “a great asset to fighting and deterring crime” in the area.
Two other projects on the ballot will also receive funding:
- A project at Bayside High School will turn building storage areas into sound-proofed music performance rooms, including storage for musical instruments. ($600,000; 1,954 votes)
- J.H.S. 194 in Whitestone will see a gymnasium renovation. Walls will be repaired, basketball hoops will be replaced, floor will see refinishing and safety padding will be added to the space. ($300,000; 1,906 votes)
Jonathan Hirata, assistant principal of Bayside High School, said the music rooms “will serve students for many years to come.”
“J.H.S. 194 would like to thank Councilman Vallone’s office for the opportunity to improve our school building and to participate in the District 19 City Council Participatory Budget Vote,” said Ann Lippert, parent coordinator. “The gymnasium renovation will be greatly appreciated by all the students, and community-based organizations that share our space.”
Voting took place online and at local polling sites from April 7-15. Other items on the ballot included technology upgrades at Poppenhusen Library in College Point, an engineering and robotics lab at P.S. 94 in Little Neck and an adult fitness center at Little Bay Park.
