BY AMY RUSSO | Deciding how to best spend $1 million in public funding will be no small task for residents of City Council District 3.
The first of a series of “participatory budgeting” meetings for the district was held on the evening of Wed., Sept. 30, at the Hudson Park Library, at 66 Leroy St., and was attended by slightly more than a dozen residents from the Village area, each with their own suggestions of projects needing funding in District 3.
The West Side district, which stretches from W. 63rd St. to Canal St., is represented by Corey Johnson.
Attendees gathered to share and collaborate on ideas in search of the most efficient use of the million dollars.
Also present were David Moss and Matt Green, staff members from Johnson’s office and liaisons between local residents and their representative.
The evening commenced with a short presentation by Green discussing the participatory budgeting process in which members of District 3 will be allowed the opportunity to propose projects deserving of funding.
The $1 million falls under the category of discretionary funds, which are divided into two types: expense funds and capital funds. Expense funds go toward people and services while capital funds go toward infrastructure or so-called “bricks and mortar” projects.
The costs of suggested projects must fall between $35,000 and no more than $1 million, though partial funding may be given if a project exceeds the million-dollar mark.
Following the presentation, attendees split into two groups and listed all possible ideas for funding, selecting their top three choices at the end.
Some popular proposals from the group overseen by Green included technology upgrades in the library of the Museum School, at 333 W. 17th St., the development of underutilized space in Hell’s Kitchen and upgrading broken computers in the teen lounge of the Hudson Guild, at W. 17th St. and Ninth Ave. in Chelsea.
Participants in the second group, led by Moss, proposed adding safety measures at the dangerous intersection of Mulry Square (W. 11th St. and Seventh and Greenwich Aves.), A.D.A. upgrades for the Hudson Park Library, and increased signage and reminders to cyclists to make use of bicycle lanes throughout the Village.
For his part, Moss cited energy-saving roofs, better street lighting and hurricane preparedness as particularly viable options to which locals may want to give further consideration. It was noted that the Village experienced significant damage after Hurricane Sandy, and that protective measures should be taken for the future.
“For the purpose of assemblies, any idea is fair game at this point,” Green stated at the meeting. “We really just want to hear what your ideas are and what the community needs.”
Councilmember Johnson’s district is one of 27 New York City Council districts conducting participatory budgeting for the 2015-16 cycle. The initiative gives residents the unique opportunity to advocate for programs they feel are of importance.
It’s the second year Johnson’s district will have participatory budgeting. In the inaugural effort, about 2,500 people voted, with the winning projects ranging from an effort to build a new park at 136 W. 20th St. to bathrooms at the Jefferson Market Library, at Sixth Ave. and W. 10th St.
Official voting to decide on the allocation of the funds will be held in March and those who are District 3 residents and at least 14 years of age will be eligible to vote. Implementation and monitoring of chosen projects will begin in April, when councilmembers submit the winning ideas to the City Council’s Finance Division.
A Web site will be launched soon to collect additional proposals as preliminary discussions continue.
Another participatory-budgeting meeting for District 3 will be held in the Village this month on Tues., Oct. 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at P.S. 3, 490 Hudson St. (between Christopher and Grove Sts.). To RSVP, contact Johnson’s office at 212-564-7757 or District3@council.nyc.gov .
According to Johnson’s office, “The community process will continue with more meetings throughout the winter, as volunteer participatory-budgeting delegates meet and refine the ideas into concrete proposals.”
