Local residents will once again get the chance to vote on how to spend $1 million on community projects they deem worthy in various City Council districts. This year, both Park Slope councilmembers are taking part in this participatory budgeting process: Stephen Levin in the 33rd Council District, which includes the North Slope; and Brad Lander of the 39th, who also took part in last year’s inaugural cycle. (See the 2012 winners from Lander’s district here.)
The two legislators will be holding project expos in March. These sessions give residents the chance to learn about the various projects that have already been proposed by the participatory budgeting community delegates. The delegates will also be on hand to explain their proposals.
Among the many proposals, members of the Park Slope Civic Council’s Forth on Fourth Avenue Committee have been working on one in Levin’s district, to provide tree guards for newly planted trees on three streets in Brooklyn: Fourth Avenue, between Atlantic Avenue and Union Street; Kent Avenue, between Division Avenue and North 14 Street; and Nassau Avenue, between Manhattan and Morgan Avenues.
Councilmember Levin’s expos will take place:
- Monday, March 11, 6-9 p.m., at the Polish-Slavic Center, 176 Java St.
- Tuesday, March 19, 6-9 p.m., at the YWCA, 30 Third Ave.
- Saturday, March 23, 2-5 p.m., at the City Tech Atrium (CUNY), 300 Jay St.
Councilmember Lander’s expo is set for Thursday, March 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Park Slope Library, 431 Sixth Ave. (corner of Ninth Street).
The actual vote for projects takes place in April. Dates will be posted on our website; you can also contact Lander’s office at amoore@council.nyc.gov/718.499.1090, or Levin’s office at district33pb@gmail.com/718.875.5200. More details about the process citywide are on this website.
Take part in this inspiring funding mechanism for local projects, and make your voice heard through participatory budgeting.