Firefighting Robot Stationed On Roosevelt Island And Tech Upgrade For Roosevelt Island Library Among Winning Proposals For Participatory Budget Fundings Says NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin

Roosevelt Island’s NYC Council Member Julie Menin, who is also the Council Speaker, announced today the winning proposals in the 2027 Fiscal Year Participatory Budget process for our District 5. Among the winning proposals were two located on Roosevelt Island. These proposals were described as:

• 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.

According to a May 14 Press Release from Ms Menin’s office:

Today, Speaker Julie Menin announced the winning proposals of the New York City Council’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Participatory Budgeting process for District 5. Between April 11 and April 19, more than 6,200 District 5 residents voted on how to allocate $1.85 million of capital funding to improve local schools, libraries, and public safety facilities. A longtime supporter of Participatory Budgeting (PB), Speaker Menin has funded projects through PB in every cycle since 2022.

Through the Participatory Budgeting process, New Yorkers are empowered to help shape and vote on local funding proposals. In the FY 2027 PB cycle, more than 128,000 New Yorkers across 22 Council Districts voted on funding for local proposals in their districts.

“Participatory Budgeting gives New Yorkers the opportunity to directly participate in shaping and deciding which projects in their district get funded, ” said Speaker Julie Menin. “This process is about civic engagement and empowers community members of all ages to get involved in the long-term success of their local communities. The best ideas for our neighborhoods come from the people who live in them, and this year, over 128,000 New Yorkers proved exactly that.”

Below are the winning projects for Council District 5:

Now in its 15th year, Participatory Budgeting empowers New Yorkers to create proposals to improve their communities. Proposals are pitched at neighborhood assemblies and budget delegate meetings throughout the fall, refined in partnership with relevant city agencies, and voted on in the spring. Voting is open to all residents of participating districts who are 11 years
of age and older.

To read more about the Council’s Participatory Budget initiative, visit council.nyc.gov/PB.

A spokesperson for Speaker Menin added:

Here’s the breakdown of votes for each winning project:

• Technology Upgrades for District 5 Libraries – 1,721
• MS 167 school community space enhancements – 1,651
• MS 177 bathroom renovations – 1,366
• EV firefighting robots for Roosevelt Island – 1,204
• 19th Precinct HVAC system – 1,010

Here’s the complete list of District 5 Participatory Budget funding proposals.

Here’s more on the robotic technology used by FDNY at their Roosevelt Island station though not what was just funded with the Participatory Budget funds announced today.