Help Choose How $1M Is Spent In Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights: Budget

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — The time has come again for Brooklynites in the 36th Council District to decide how to spend $1 million in their neighborhoods.

Newly-elected Council Member Chi Ossé, who took over from Robert Cornegy Jr. in the New Year, is bringing back Participatory Budgeting, a program that has residents brainstorm, pitch and vote on ideas for local funding.

It will be the first time in at least two years the program will be used in District 36, which includes Bed-Stuy and northern Crown Heights.

“No one knows your streets, schools, and parks better than you do,” Ossé said this week. “Let’s take advantage of direct democracy to build what we know we need, right here at home.”

This year, the process includes a new interactive platform that will let community members submit ideas and explore or comment on submissions.

Residents in District 36 will have until Jan. 23 to submit their ideas for a project, which add or invest in physical infrastructure like playgrounds, libraries or drinking fountains, Ossé said. The winning projects will be chosen with a vote in the spring and receive a portion of the $1 million allocation.

Beyond submitting proposals, community members can also get involved by joining the volunteer team at Ossé's office, which will help with the evaluation and voting processes. Those interested can sign up online or reach out to May Vutrapongvatana at district36@council.nyc.gov.

Ossé is among several new council members leading the return of participatory budgeting after a pandemic pause on the program in 2020.

So far, 14 districts in New York City, including five in Brooklyn, have launched Participatory Budgeting.

Find out more here.