Politics & Government
Upper East Siders Can Now Vote On Projects For Participatory Budgeting
Schools, trees, lighting, security camera and bathrooms all made the list of 10 projects on which residents in Council District 5 can vote.
UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Schools, trees, parks, bathrooms, lights and security cameras: take your pick.
These are some of the projects Upper East Siders in Julie Menin's Council District 5 can vote on starting this Saturday as part of the popular Participatory Budget program.
The program allows for New Yorkers to submit proposals on how to spent $1 million of City Council funds.
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Potential projects must benefit the public, cost at least $50,000, and have a lifespan of at least five years.
The winners of Menin's previous budgeting round last spring included schoolyard resurfacing for two public schools, technology upgrades at three district libraries, pathway repaving at Carl Schurz Park, and four new NYPD security cameras.
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“Since I served on the Board of Citizens Union, I have been a longtime proponent of Participatory Budgeting and am thrilled with last year's success," said Council Member Julie Menin.
"Government must ensure that New Yorkers have civic engagement opportunities and have a voice in the budgetary process. As we approach voting week, filling out a ballot is a great way to be involved with the pulse of the community and determine the best use of city dollars."
This year's final 10 projects hit on some similar themes, with lots of school- and parks-based ideas, such as 30 new trees, new lighting in Stanley Issacs Park, a new garden for P.S. 151, new bathrooms at P.S. 217 and tech upgrades for M.S. 114.
"As construction is about to begin on the creation of our East Side Middle's Graphic Arts Lab, we are excited to have the 96 MacBook Airs that will allow our students to do their digital graphic design work," said David Getz, Principal of M.S. 114.
The most expensive project, at $500,000, would bring 33 new security cameras residents of Holmes Towers say is desperately needed.
"Adding additional cameras on floors without them is meant to avert the danger before it occurs,” said Sandra Perez, Holmes Towers Resident Association President. “Safety is my number one priority."
Voting runs until Sunday, April 2, so don't hesitate to cast your ballot. The winning projects will be announced when the city budget is adopted in June.
See the full list below, and click here to cast your vote.
| Project Title | Description | Price | Location |
| Lighting upgrades for Stanley Isaacs Park | The project would include installing new lighting for the park. | $420,000 | Stanley Isaacs Park 95-95 FDR Dr, New York, NY 10128 |
| New trees and tree guards for District 5 | Project would include the installation of 30 new trees (with tree guards) throughout District 5. | $150,000 | Council District 5 |
| New Security Cameras for Holmes Towers | 33 New Security Cameras for Holmes Towers | $500,000 | Holmes Towers 1780 1st Ave., New York, NY 10128 |
| New Garden for P.S. 151's rooftop play space | Rooftop Garden For Yorkville community school. Would include garden appliances like planters. | $200,000 | P.S. 151 421 E 88th St, New York, NY 10128 |
| Renovation of PS. 527's indoor rooftop play space | New built-in storage or an interactive play wall with activities. | $200,000 | P.S. 527 323 E 91st St, New York, NY 10128 |
| Gym pad upgrades for PS. 183 | The project would include new gym pads for the Robert L. Stevenson school. | $100,000 | P.S. 183 419 E 66th St, New York, NY 10065 |
| P.S. 217 Bathroom upgrades | Bathroom renovations for PS. 217 | $300,000 | P.S. 217 645 Main St, New York, NY 10044 |
| New Security System for PS 198 and P.S. 77 P.S. 198 and P.S. 77 | New security cameras for the building that includes both PS 198 and PS 77. | $450,000 | 1700 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10128 |
| Tech Upgrades for M.S. 114 | East Side Middle School would receive 96 M1 Macbook Airs, 4 Laptop Carts, and 3 Chromebooks (Mediatek MT8183) | $105,232 | M.S. 114 331 E 91st St, New York, NY 10128 |
| Bathroom Upgrades for Talent Unlimited High School | Bathroom renovations for Talent Unlimited High School. | $250,000 | Talent Unlimited High School 317 E 67th St, New York, NY 10065 |
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