One Brooklyn
VOTES FROM BROOKLYNITES DETERMINED ALLOCATION OF MILLIONS IN TAXPAYER DOLLARS FOR LOCALLY-DEVELOPED FY19 CAPITAL PROJECTS ACROSS BROOKLYN, INCLUDING FUNDS FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL COMMITMENT TO AMPLIFY CONSTITUENT VOICES IN PB PROCESS
BROOKLYN, NY, May 8, 2018: Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams announced the impact of his $1 million capital budget investment in Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) of participatory budgeting (PB), a democratic process in which local residents directly decide how to spend part of a public budget, which increased the number of community-driven projects funded in council districts that encompass more than 60 percent of Brooklyn. Tens of thousands of Brooklyn residents cast ballots at locations across the borough — including at Brooklyn Borough Hall — during the 2018-2019 participatory budgeting cycle voting period, which took place between Saturday, April 7th and Sunday, April 15th. Borough President Adams’ $1 million contribution was apportioned equally to winning projects from the votes conducted by the 10 council members in the borough who are participating in PB this year. This year’s voting cycle expanded the reach to more Brooklynites as votes could be cast online, at locations across the borough, and at LinkNYC kiosks. Borough President Adams highlighted how the continued growth of PB in Brooklyn is helping to advance the causes of civic engagement, fiscal transparency, and good government throughout the city.
“Participatory budgeting is bringing democracy back to our communities, empowering individuals to make decisions on what gets funded at the hyperlocal level,” said Borough President Adams. “I thank all of the council members participating in this year’s process for their continued commitment to amplifying the voices of Brooklynites so our constituents have a direct say in where their taxpayer dollars get spent. From school technology to street safety, this year’s funded projects reflect that all Brooklynites seek safer places to raise healthy children and families. Let’s continue to advance these shared priorities and get more people involved in the PB process, so that everyone has a stake in Brooklyn’s future.”
The $100,000 designated by Borough President Adams for PB in each participating council district expanded that council member’s committed PB allotment, resulting in additional projects winning funding in the upcoming fiscal year:
- Laptop carts at PS/IS 157 The Benjamin Franklin Health Science Academy in Bedford-Stuyvesant, in partnership with Council Member Stephen F. Levin
- Broadband system and computer upgrades at PS 299 Thomas Warren Field School in Bushwick, in partnership with Council Member Antonio Reynoso
- Auditorium upgrades, including a new stage floor, lighting, sound system, paint, curtains, and chairs, at PS 9 Teunis G. Bergen in Prospect Heights, in partnership with Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo
- Auditorium upgrade to a public performance and community gathering space at PS 23 Carter G. Woodson Elementary School in Bedford-Stuyvesant, in partnership with Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr.
- Security cameras at PS 94 The Henry Longfellow School in Sunset Park, in partnership with Council Member Carlos Menchaca
- Replacement of damaged and hazardous turf for the soccer field at Albermarle Playground in Kensington, in partnership with Council Member Brad Lander
- Library upgrade at MS 2 Parkside Preparatory Academy in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, in partnership with Council Member Mathieu Eugene
- Sidewalk extensions and school safety measures near PS 134 in Kensington, in partnership with Council Member Kalman Yeger
- Trench restoration along 16th Avenue in Borough Park, in partnership with Council Member Kalman Yeger
- STEAM library upgrades at PS 193 Gil Hodges in Midwood, in partnership with Council Member Jumaane D. Williams
- Auditorium upgrades and supplemental cooling system installation at IS 281 Joseph B. Cavallaro in Gravesend, in partnership with Council Member Mark Treyger
“This investment of capital to the participatory budgeting process by Borough President Adams is emblematic of his commitment to promoting civic engagement and community empowerment in our borough,” said Council Member Cornegy. “This infusion helps amplify the voices of PB voters and helps make our communities stronger. I commend and thank BP Adams for his important contribution to the participatory budgeting process.”
“During this year’s participatory budgeting cycle, my district cast an unprecedented 4,478 votes and funded four school projects that will ensure our kids have the resources they need to maximize their learning,” said Council Member Cumbo. “Thanks to Borough President Adams’ $100,000 investment, we were able to add a fifth project and fund PS 9 Teunis G. Bergen to refurbish its auditorium. I extend my deepest gratitude to Borough President Adams for his contribution to help residents in my district fund the projects they believe will have the most impact.”
“This year again, I’m pleased to be part of the participatory budgeting project that encourages community involvement leading to capital improvements within our district,” said Council Member Eugene. “Through this process, I’m honored to join Borough President Adams to provide an upgrade to the library at [MS 2] Parkside Preparatory Academy. I want to thank him for his partnership on this project, one that will grant our students a tremendous educational benefit for years to come.”
“Participatory budgeting is democracy in action,” said Council Member Lander. “From brainstorming ideas to researching costs to working with City agencies to deciding on the ballot, community residents take shared leadership that leads to brilliant results. I thank Borough President Adams for his partnership in this process and for providing a critical $100,000 to my district to resurface the soccer field in Albemarle Playground. Without his support, this project would not have been fully funded, and he helped make it possible.”
“Borough President Adams’ generous allocation of $1 million to Brooklyn’s participatory budgeting projects shows his commitment to putting the people’s voice first,” said Council Member Menchaca. “Once again, participatory budgeting is proving how residents guide government to better solutions. Here in District 38, Sunset Park’s PS 94 [The Henry Longfellow School] community will be thrilled to receive new school security cameras. I join Borough President Adams in honoring the tens of thousands of Brooklynites who volunteered, nominated projects and voted.”
“Participatory budgeting gives members of our community an opportunity to take part in the civic process and make their voices heard,” said Council Member Treyger. “I’m proud that, as part of this year’s participatory budgeting vote, students, families, educators, and school staff at IS 281 Joseph B. Cavallaro will be seeing much-needed facility upgrades, ensuring a safe and comfortable learning and working environment for all. I thank Borough President Adams for his partnership, and all of our community members for engaging in the participatory budgeting process.
“I want to express my deep gratitude to Borough President Adams for his support in funding vital community projects across Brooklyn, and especially for his assistance in funding library improvements for PS 193 Gil Hodges,” said Council Member Williams. “Students will see the benefit of this project for many years to come, and they would not be possible without Borough President Adams’ support of participatory budgeting and all of the members of my community who came out to cast their vote.”
“As 17-year old PB Youth Fellow Jacinta Ojevwe recently said, ‘we have a democracy that people have to fit around,’” said Melissa Appleton, project manager for the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP). “She wants to ‘create a democracy that fits around people.’ PB empowers thousands of community members across our city who are traditionally excluded from government to truly re-shape democracy. Borough President Adams, along with the City Council, is expanding civic engagement to all New Yorkers.”
Voting in PB is open to all residents of participating districts over the age of 11 or at least in the sixth grade. Participation is open to all district residents regardless of citizenship, documentation status, or involvement in the criminal justice system. A map of winning projects and full voting results by district can be viewed at pbnyc.org.
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