Beginning today, all residents have the chance to participate in Participatory Budgeting in the 45th District. This process gives our community the power to decide how $1 million will be submitted for allocation in the citywide budget.
At neighborhood assemblies this past fall, residents came together in churches, schools, and community centers to suggest projects which the budget delegates vetted, alongside city agencies, to determine what was eligible under the process. The eligible projects were then refined into nine proposals, from which residents can vote for up to five to receive funding next year.
Below is an outline of the nine proposals.
Libraries and Culture
1. Technology & Media Space Rugby Library
COST: $35,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Technology space to be incorporated into the schematic of the youth section of the branch renovation plan. Includes computers, printers/3D printer, and wiring for technology.
2. Safe Neighborhood Streets
COST: $40,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: There is a safety concern on East 59th Street and Glenwood Road in the form of a damaged sidewalk. Help protect the humans and animals who travel down the street.
Schools
3. Upgrade My Workout
COST: $400,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Upgrade the gym at Tilden High School Campus, which is used by 1,000+ students and the staff that supports them.
4. Can You Hear Me Now?
COST: $500,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Improve safety for over 1,000 students in Tilden H.S. Campus by repairing the P.A. system. Currently emergency information is shared one room at a time.
5. Smart Boards for Smart Children
COST: $100,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Install Smart Boards to the Kurt Hahn School in Tilden High School Campus to decrease the digital divide for 338 students and increase their chances for success.
COST: $342,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Improve experience for 534 youth and adults. Replace 50-year-old seats, which are in poor condition, add seating for disabled and people in wheelchairs, and replace curtains on the stage and windows.
7. Improve Our Restrooms
COST: $150,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Repair four adult and four youth bathrooms. Repair these eight spaces and move the radiator in the youth bathrooms to increase the safety of 468 children.
8. Tech Upgrade – I.S. 285
COST: $35,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Install computers to address the lack of access to innovative learning resources at I.S. 285. Computers will be accessible to all students and benefit their learning experience.
Education
9. Computers for Job Readiness and Placement
COST: $36,025
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This Job Readiness and Job Placement Program will help reduce unemployment and underemployment in the 45th District for 20 neighbors at a time via desktop computers.