City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (Sunset Park, Red Hook), who’s 38th Council district last year recorded the highest number of voters in the City Council’s participatory budgeting process, is again doing a major outreach to see what his constituents want funded this year.
This coming Saturday, March 26 marks the launch of Participatory Budgeting (PB) Vote Week. For one full week, New Yorkers in participating districts will have the opportunity to partake in a truly democratic project – casting a vote that directly determines the way in which a portion of local government dollars are spent. PB allows the community, including those most historically disengaged from the political process, to exercise grassroots democracy and become civically engaged.
Last year, District 38 counted 6,299 ballots – over two-thirds of which were non-English ballots – a truly remarkable accomplishment.
“The message that District 38 community members sent to the City and all those watching last year was clear: the New York immigrant community is engaged and if given the opportunity and the right resources, such as ballots in different languages, immigrants will voice their opinion and exercise their political power through voting,” said Menchaca.
During Vote Week, each constituent has the opportunity to vote for as many as five project proposals on the ballot. The 2016 District 38 Ballot will be available in English, Spanish and Chinese. In 2015, District 38 voted to fund a classroom technology project, a playground lighting plan, expansion of exit doors at a local school, bathroom renovations, outdoor fitness equipment at Sunset Park and a multimedia room at Red Hook Library, all of which amounted to $2.39 million in funding that Menchaca voluntarily allocated.
The items on the 2016 District 38 Ballot along with voting locations and times appear below:
Parks and Recreation – Sunset Park Renovation, $500,000.00: Repaving, installation of 20 new benches, replacement of existing dilapidated chain-link fences, and adding in picnic tables.
Education – Auditorium Upgrade for M.S. 88, Sunset Park Prep, I.S. 136, $375,000.00: These auditoriums are multi-purpose, handicapped-accessible community spaces. The spaces are currently outdated and need upgrades to better serve each school’s internal and local community members.
Education – Air Conditioning Wiring, 309 47th Street and 544 7th Avenue, $120,000.00: This project will serve P.S. 1 in Sunset Park and M.S. 88 in Windsor Terrace for the installation of wiring that will support air conditioning units throughout the schools.
Education – Library Update, M.S. 88 and Sunset Park High School, $450,000.00: The project would involve the renovation of Middle School 88 and Sunset Park High School’s library media center, currently equipped with highly outdated and non-functioning technology.
Education – South Brooklyn Community H.S.& P.S.169 Upgrades, 173 Conover St & 4305 7th Avenue, $380,000.00: There are no lockers, and thus students are required to carry their belongings, books, etc., throughout the day at SBHS. P.S.169 needs renovations of bathrooms that are in a state of disrepair.
Education
Science Upgrade for MS.821 & IS.136, 4004 4th Avenue, $1,000,000.00: The labs in both schools rooms are outdated, thus not fully functional. Teachers are trying their best to work in the labs to effectively teach STEM topics. The upgrade will include 2 labs per school
Transit – Community Board 6 Repair and Resurfacing, $250,000.00: The streets are starting to wear out after years of improper care, resulting in dangerous cracks and potholes that cause accidents. White lanes have not been repainted, thus heightening the potential for accidents (for motorists and pedestrians) and irresponsible driving.
Transit – Electronic “Locator” Sign throughout the District, $600,000.00: Install electronic bus signs along the B70, B63, B35, B11, B9, B57 & B61 bus routes. The signs will be posted at busy bus stops. The signs will tell riders the location and arrival time of their bus.
Streets – Brooklyn Community Board 7, $250,000.00: The streets are starting to wear out after years of improper care, resulting in dangerous cracks and potholes that cause accidents. White lanes have not been repainted, thus heightening the potential for accidents (for motorists and pedestrians) and irresponsible driving.
Streets – Community Board 12 Street Repair and Resurfacing, $250,000.00: The streets are starting to wear out after years of improper care, resulting in dangerous cracks and potholes that cause accidents. White lanes have not been repainted, thus heightening the potential for accidents (for motorists and pedestrians) and irresponsible driving.
Environment – New Tree with Tree Guards District-Wide, $260,000.00: Beautify blocks across the district by planting new trees with tree guards in front of homes, businesses & parks.
Housing – Basketball Court at 31 Centre Mall, Red Hook, $425,000.00: Renovation to this basketball court will provide more recreational area for the Red Hook Community. It will include brand new basketball hoops and painted grounds.
Housing – Senior Center Yard Ground Beautification, 129 West 9th Street, $500,000.00: Renovation of the yard behind the new senior center which will include: picnic tables, chess tables, benches, a garden, barbecue grills, tables for other board games, & a non-smoking and alcohol area.
PROJECT EXPOS (to learn more about the projects on the District 38 ballot)
Saturday, March 26 ǁ 1:00 – 3:00 pm ǁ Sunset Park Rec Center – 4200 7th Ave, Brooklyn
Wednesday, March 30 ǁ 5:00 pm ǁ MS 88 – 544 7th Ave, Brooklyn
Thursday, March 31 ǁ 6:00 pm ǁ The Red Hook Initiative – 767 Hicks St, Brooklyn
VOTING LOCATIONS AND TIMES
District Office – 4417 4th Ave, Ground Floor, Brooklyn
Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Red Hook Initiative – 767 Hicks St, Brooklyn
Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1* – 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
*On Thursday, March 31, PB Expo will take place from 6-8 PM at Red Hook Initiative
Red Hook Library – 7 Wolcott St, Brooklyn
Tuesday, March 29 – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Thursday, March 31 – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Red Hook Community Justice Center* – 88 Visitation Pl, Brooklyn
Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
*Will have Mobile Sites on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 AM – 1 PM.
Miccio Center (Red Hook East/Joseph Miccio Community Center) – 110 W 9th St, Brooklyn
Tuesday, March 29 – 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday, March 30 – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Thursday, March 31 – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
CPC (Chinese-American Planning Council) – 4101 8th Ave, 4th Floor, Brooklyn
Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
BCA (Brooklyn Chinese-American Association) – 5002 8th Ave, Brooklyn
Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
AAFE (Asian American For Equality) – 807 48th St, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn
Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 – 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunset Park Library – 5108 4th Ave at 51st St, Brooklyn
Wednesday, March 30 – 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Friday, April 1 – 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday, April 2 – 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Sunset Park – 41st St and 44th St between 5th Ave and 7th Ave, Brooklyn
Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1*
*Times will vary throughout vote week
Brooklyn Borough Hall – 209 Joralemon St, Brooklyn
Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
For more information on PB in New York City and District 38 click here: http://labs.council.nyc/pb/
