Participatory Budget Open For Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, PLG

BROOKLYN, NY — For Brooklynites, it's time to vote. Not for a politician, but for how to spend at least $1 million of your council member's budget.

That's right, it's time for the participatory budget!

Since 2011, the participatory budget has allowed Brooklynites to submit or support ideas in the neighborhood for the chance to receive funding.

From now through Oct. 17, Brooklyn residents can propose ideas on how $1 million of your council member's city budget allocation can be used in the neighborhood. The following central Brooklyn council members are participating this year:

• District 35 - Crystal Hudson (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Bedford Stuyvesant)
• District 35 - Chi Ossé (Bedford Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights)
• District 40 - Rita Joseph (Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Park, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens)

You can check the map at the participatory budget website to see exactly which district you live in — and to submit your ideas.

The projects must be for physical infrastructure that benefits the public, cost at least $50,000, and have a lifespan of at least five years.

Past projects have been used to renovate bathrooms at parks and school, plant trees, street safety improvements and, in one year, $200,000 to install a hydroponics lab at PS 9 in Prospect Heights.

Current ideas include:

• Installing plant beds on sidewalks along Nostrand Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
• Fixing the auditorium chairs at PS 92 Adrian Hegeman Elementary School.
• Replacing astroturf at neighborhood parks.

You have until Oct. 17 to submit your ideas. Voting will occur next spring.