Upper East Side Budget: Help Choose How $1 Million Gets Spent

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Less than two weeks since Julie Menin took office as the Upper East Side's newest City Council member, the lawmaker has already made one key announcement: participatory budgeting is back.

The popular program allows constituents to nominate and vote on projects within their Council district that they want the city to fund. Former District 5 member Ben Kallos ran the program every year during his eight years in the Council representing Yorkville and Roosevelt Island.

This spring, Menin is making $1 million available to be voted on by District 5 residents. Upper East Siders can nominate physical infrastructure projects that benefit the public, cost at least $50,000, and have a lifespan of at least five years.

To submit an idea, visit the City Council's participatory budgeting page, click "idea submission" and "new proposal," and then create an NYC.ID account to share your idea by Jan. 23.

Last year, more than 500 residents voted to fund nine projects, including $750,000 for laptop carts and STEM programs for 15 schools in the neighborhood and $187,000 to plant 50 new sidewalk trees.

Once the submission deadline passes, city agencies will review the proposals to evaluate their cost, then create a list of finalists. Menin's office will create an online voting portal and distribute ballots around the district between April 2-10; winners will be announced later that month and included in the city's June budget.

"I’m very excited as we begin this Participatory Budgeting cycle,” Menin said in a statement. "Participatory budgeting is a great way to get the pulse of the community and formulate the best use of city dollars."

Neighboring East Side Councilmember Keith Powers has not announced any participatory budgeting program this year.

Previous coverage: These 2 Upper East Side Projects Won Ben Kallos's Budget Bucks