Menin Doubles Participatory Budget Bucks After Outstanding UES Turnout

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Talk about turnout!

Participatory budgeting results are in for this year on the Upper East Side, with six projects focused on projects in parks and schools coming in as the big winners.

The largest project that won this time was for new security cameras at Homes Towers, with a price tag of $500,000.

But this years biggest winner? The process.

Nearly 4,500 residents cast votes on where $1 million of city council budget dollars should be spent in the neighborhood this winter — a more than 140 percent increase from last year's participatory budget season.

The District 5 participatory budget turnout was the second highest citywide this year — and the highest in Manhattan.

In wake of the incredible participation, Council Member Julie Menin decided in increase her allocation to nearly $2 million so more projects could be funded.

“This year's participatory budgeting cycle was a phenomenal success and I thank our schools, nonprofits and government partners for helping to get our residents involved," Menin said. "Every vote counts in Participatory Budgeting and I am proud to raise my commitment to nearly $2 million to fund an additional 3 projects in our district."

The top three winning projects call for fund to be spent on 30 new trees in the district ($150,000), new security systems for P.S. 198 and P.S. 77 ($450,000) and lighting upgrades for Stanley Isaacs Park ($420,000).

"Each and every tree makes our neighborhoods greener and healthier," said Manhattan Parks Borough Commissioner Anthony Perez. "These investments will enrich the neighborhood for decades to come.”

"We have been trying - unsuccessfully, to upgrade the lighting at Stanley Isaacs Park for the past decade and have met roadblock after roadblock along the way," said said Tom Smith, Executive Director, New York City Roller Hockey League. "New lighting will be game-changing for our league, the other leagues and groups that use the park and the community at large.”

The other three winning projects includes nearly 100 laptops and other technology upgrades for M.S. 114 ($105,232), P.S. 217 bathroom renovation ($300,000) and 33 new security cameras for Holmes Towers ($500,000).

Participatory budgeting has proven to be popular since it was first introduced in the City Council in 2011. But this year has blown every expectation out of the East River.

Two years ago when Ben Kallos represented the district in 2021,only 534 residents voted on how to spend $1 million. Compared to this year, that's a nearly 735 percent difference.

"It’s extraordinary that our district finished first in Manhattan and demonstrates our community’s dedication to civic engagement," Menin said. "I look forward to continuing this momentum in the future."

Related coverage:

• Upper East Siders Can Now Vote On Projects For Participatory Budgeting
• Bathrooms, Park Fixes: These UES Projects Won Menin's Budget Bucks