Borough Park

Greenfield sets aside $1 million for participatory budgeting

Constituents voting on projects this week

March 27, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Councilmember David G. Greenfield has his district take part in participatory budgeting every year. Photo courtesy of Greenfield’s office
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Councilmember David G. Greenfield has set aside $1 million out of the city budget to give residents of his council district the chance to decide how to spend the money.

It’s all part of the city’s participatory budgeting process, a process by which everyday citizens get the opportunity to decide which capital budget projects they want to see funded.

Residents in the participating council districts will be voting this week for their favorite projects.

Greenfield (D-Borough Park-Midwood-Bensonhurst) said there are several worthy projects on the participatory budgeting ballot this year, including initiatives related to public safety, transit, senior citizens, youth, arts and culture and neighborhood beautification.

Any resident of Greenfield’s district, the 44th Council District, who is over the age of 14 is eligible to vote.

Last year, more than 2,000 residents in Greenfield’s district came out to vote. The top vote-getter was a $500,000 proposal to help the OHEL organization build a new community center.

Residents also voted to provide funds to assist the Hatzolah volunteer ambulance organization to purchase new ambulances and for repaving streets in the council district.

“Participatory budgeting is a great opportunity for community members to have a direct say in how their tax dollars are spent,” Greenfield said. “This year, we have even more exciting opportunities to improve our neighborhoods on the ballot, so I am hoping that more people than ever will get involved.”

Council members who choose to join Participatory Budgeting New York City agree to give at least $1 million from their budget for the whole community to participate in the decision-making process. Constituents can come up with their own ideas on how the spend the funds. Project ideas are also generated at workshops held throughout the year.

Project proposals are officially presented at public meetings. Voting this year will take place from March 25 to April 4. This year, residents can vote for as many as five project proposals.

The winning projects will be announced in a few months.

In Greenfield’s district, the voting locations are: 

 

  • Greenfield’s district office, 4424 16th Ave.

  • State Sen. Simcha Felder’s district office, 1412 Avenue J.

  • Mapleton Library, 1702 60th St.

  • Highlawn Public Library, 1664 W. 13th St.

  • Midwood Library, 975 E 16th St.

  • Kensington Library, 4207 18th Ave.

  • Ryder Library, 5902 23rd Ave.

  • Borough Park Y, 4912 14th Ave.

  • Community Board 11, 2214 Bath Ave.

  • Community Board 12, 5910 13th Ave.

  • Community Board 14, 810 East 16th St.

  • Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St.

 

For more information on voting hours, call Greenfield’s office at 718-853-2704.

 

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