NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin Announces Participatory Budgeting Vote Week April 11-19, All District 5 Residents 11 Years And Older Are Eligible To Pick Their Favorite Projects

According to this April 10 NYC Council press release:

Today, Speaker Julie Menin and the New York City Council kicked off Participatory Budgeting (PB) Vote Week, encouraging New Yorkers who are 11 years old and up to make their voices heard by voting for projects to improve their communities. From April 11 to April 19, New Yorkers can vote online or in-person at voting sites in the 22 participating City Council districts to decide how $22 million in capital funding will be spent in the city’s Fiscal Year 2027 city budget. New Yorkers will be able to choose projects focused on improving neighborhood schools, parks, libraries, and other public spaces.  

… Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. The process began in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 1989. Today, there are hundreds of processes around the world, most at the municipal level….

… Participatory Budgeting in New York City (PBNYC) plays an important role in giving communities the ability to directly impact the capital budgeting process. It motivates New Yorkers to engage the civic process and make decisions by sharing ideas, developing proposals, and voting on community projects.

This year, Council Members across New York City are asking residents how to spend millions in capital funding, specifically for local improvements to schools, parks, libraries, streets and other public spaces. PBNYC funds physical infrastructure projects in public spaces, cost at least $50,000 and have a lifespan of at least 5 years.

Roosevelt Island is in NYC Council District 5 which also includes the Upper East Side and is represented by NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin. According to Ms Menin:

Participatory Budgeting Vote Week is proof that the best ideas for our neighborhoods come from the people who live in them. When New Yorkers have a direct say in how public dollars are spent, we get a stronger, more responsive city. I encourage everyone in a participating district, including District 5, to cast their votes this week. To every New Yorker who has made participatory budgeting a priority, thank you for strengthening our civic democracy.

Roosevelt Island has 3 projects eligible for District 5 Participatory Budget funding:

• PS/IS 217 The Roosevelt Island School – Bathroom Renovations Cost: $250,000. Description: This project will renovate existing and install new student bathrooms.
• Roosevelt Island – FDNY EV Fighting Robots. Cost: $300,000. Description: This specialized, remotely operated forklift can remove burning vehicles to mitigate fires in parking garages and complex scenes, including structural collapses. The EV fire robot will be stored on Roosevelt Island.
• District 5 Libraries – Technology Upgrades Cost: $250,000. Description: Technology renovations will include system-wide upgrades to the networks, computers, tablets and printers for Webster, Yorkville, 67th Street, 96th Street and Roosevelt Island libraries.

Click here to vote online for your favorite District 5 Participatory Budget projects. You can also vote in person at the Roosevelt Island NY Public Library (504 Main Street) or the Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Older Adult Center (546 Main Street).

Here is the complete list of NYC Council District 5 Participatory Budget projects.

Schools and Education

• MS 151 Yorkville Community School – Audio-Visual System Upgrades
  • Cost: $250,000
  • Description: New Audio-visual system for the cafeteria and auditorium. This space is used as a multipurpose room for meetings, rallies, and community meetings.
• PS/IS 217 The Roosevelt Island School – Bathroom Renovations
  • Cost: $250,000
  • Description: This project will renovate existing and install new student bathrooms.
• MS 114 East Side Middle School – Classroom Modernizations
  • Cost: $250,000
  • Description: This project will convert large spaces and offices into smaller classrooms to reduce class sizes. 
• Eleanor Roosevelt High School – Electrical Upgradesfor A/C Units
  • Cost: $400,000
  • Description: These upgrades will install outlets and circuit breakers to power window ACs, maintaining a safe and comfortable environment during heat waves for the entire school community.
• Julia Richman Education Complex – Electrical Upgrades for A/C Units
  • Cost: $400,000
  • Description: This project will install outlets and circuit breakers to power window ACs in the cafeteria. Each school within the Complex will benefit from the improved air quality and comfort of this shared space.
• PS 183 Robert L. Stevenson School – Cafeteria Bathroom Reconstruction
  • Cost: $400,000
  • Description: This proposal will renovate existing and install new student bathrooms in the cafeteria to diversify space usage for community programs.
• MS 167 Wagner Middle School – School Community Space Enhancements
  • Cost: $500,000
  • Description: This proposal will demolish old lockers and install new flooring to increase space for student activities.
• PS 198 Isador E. Ida Stratus and PS 77 Lower Lab School – New and Improved Classroom Spaces
  • Cost: $500,000
  • Description: This project will restore classrooms into accessible and productive spaces by renovating closets, sinks, and floors for students and staff.
• MS 177 Yorkville East Middle School and PS 158 The Bayard Taylor School – Bathroom Renovations
  • Cost: $500,000
  • Description: This proposal will fund the upgrade and modernization of bathroom facilities to benefit the students.

Public Safety

• Roosevelt Island – FDNY EV Fighting Robots
  • Cost: $300,000
  • Description: This specialized, remotely operated forklift can remove burning vehicles to mitigate fires in parking garages and complex scenes, including structural collapses. The EV fire robot will be stored on Roosevelt Island.
• NYPD 19th Precinct – HVAC System
  • Cost: $300,000
  • Description: This funding would finish the installation of a new HVAC system, allowing the precinct to better serve and ensure the safety of community members and first responders.

Parks and Recreation

• Tree Guards – Throughout District 5
  • Cost: $50,000
  • Description: Newly installed tree guards will serve as a fence around the perimeter of the trees, reduce soil compaction, shield the trunks from physical damage, and prevent pet waste from entering the tree pits.

Culture and Community Facilities

• District 5 Libraries – Technology Upgrades
  • Cost: $250,000
  • Description: Technology renovations will include system-wide upgrades to the networks, computers, tablets and printers for Webster, Yorkville, 67th Street, 96th Street and Roosevelt Island libraries.