This week, council member Sandy Nurse (District 37) announced that New York City Council will be conducting numerous Participatory Budgeting (PB) assemblies in Brooklyn.
Nurse says that the purpose of the assemblies is to give Brooklyn community members the opportunity to voice their opinion as to how capital funding from the PB program — which totals $1 million — is potentially spent in their neighborhoods.
Each year, the PB program provides funding for local infrastructure projects that fall under the following criteria: costs at least $50,000, has a lifespan of at least five years, and benefits the public.
In general, the program focuses on creating improvements in public spaces such as schools, parks, libraries, public housing and streets, among others.
According to Nurse, last year’s funding was used for six different projects, including two separate auditorium upgrades, the installation of sanitation cameras, a gym and bathroom renovation, as well as planting several street trees.
This year’s PB assemblies will feature two in-person meetings regarding two Brooklyn neighborhoods
The first in-person assembly, which focuses on East New York, is scheduled to take place at Arlington Public Library (203 Arlington Ave, Brooklyn) on Oct. 24.
The second meeting, which is being put on for Bushwick community members, will be occurring at Alianza Ecuatoriana Center (343 Linden St, Brooklyn) on Nov. 2.
Prior to both in-person assemblies, New York City Council will also be hosting a virtual PB meeting via Zoom.
Brooklynites can RSVP for the East New York, Bushwick, or virtual PB assemblies online at the posted links.
Community members that would like to submit project ideas for the PB program can do so at the New York City Council Participatory Budgeting website.
