Participatory Budgeting Winners!

And the winners are...(see below).  A few of these surprised us.  We were actually very surprised to see that the Hamilton/Van Brunt Plaza wasn't on there.  Not that any of these are less worthy, they are all wonderful improvements, but we saw and spoke with so many people rallying for the plaza.  Well, maybe next year.

The 2013 winning Participatory Budgeting projects are:

1. PS 230: Help Kids Connect & Learn With Technology - $180,000
   Install 34 Smartboards w/supporting MacBooks in high-needs, diverse (25+ home languages) school serving 1,300 students.
2. Renovate 8 Bathrooms, PS 58, The Carroll School - $110,000
   Provide healthier environment for generations to come by replacing fixtures & flushing mechanisms. Last renovation was in 1954.
3. Carroll Gardens/Windsor Terrace Library Computers - $75,000
   29 new adult & preschool computers at these branches to support community needs for internet access & computer literacy.
4. Church Avenue Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Improvements - $300,000
   Extend sidewalks and reduce crossing distances on Church Avenue at Coney Island Avenue and McDonald Avenue intersections.
5. PS 179: Technology upgrade for underserved school - $115,000
   27 SmartBoards for high-needs school to aid learning for English language learners, special education and gifted students.
6. 3rd Street Green Corridor: New Trees, Less Runoff - $170,000
   10 trees with enhanced pits will improve storm drainage, and add shade and beauty in Gowanus from Bond Street. to 3rd Avenue.

Vote totals for all projects can be viewed here.

Million Dollar Decision.

We wanted to tell you about a couple of other possible projects that you can vote for this weekend at the participatory budget vote.  There are so many to choose from and you should really go to this site to see them all but here are a couple in our neighborhood that we've noticed people trying to raise awareness about. One is the fences on Hicks Street (seen above in the Fix Hicks sign).  Some think they need to be fixed to create more visibility for pedestrians crossing.  Another is more and newer computers for Carroll Gardens Library.  Again it's your choice so do your research.  Only a handful of proposed ideas will be funded and you have a say!

Saturday, April 6th 10am-7pm at Carroll Gardens Library
Sunday, April 7th 10am-5pm at Carroll Park House

Hamilton/Van Brunt Community Plaza

You can vote to add this long-needed plaza to the neighborhood, as long as you are over the age 16 and live within the district.  There are so many pros to constructing this plaza.  It can "reduce driver confusion, increase pedestrian safety, absorb storm water, add parking, benches and gardens, and an internet hotspot. Voting info is below.  For more info visit bradlander.com

Saturday, April 6th 10am-7pm at Carroll Gardens Library
Sunday, April 7th 10am-5pm at Carroll Park House

Million Dollar Vote Update.

                                                                              photo from bradlander.com
Back in March we blogged about a big decision (one million dollars worth) that had to be made about funding projects in the neighborhoods of Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, and Kensington.  You can read that blog here.  There were many proposals and residents got to vote.  Here's an update.  More than 2,200 people came out to vote (amazing!!) and the list of winners is below.

1. Renovation of two dysfunctional bathrooms at PS 124 ($150,000, 958 votes)
2. Innovative community composting system near Gowanus Canal to turn 1 ton/day of food waste into soil ($165,000, 919 votes)
3. Planting 100 new trees on blocks throughout the district with few or no trees ($100,000, 767 votes)
4. New technology for PS 130 and PS 154 ($140,000, 758 votes)
5. Repairing Prospect Park pedestrian paths to prevent flooding, and adding trash cans in the park ($205,000, 648 votes)
6. Repairs and safety improvements at the dangerous Prospect Expressway/Church Avenue pedestrian crossing ($200,000, 606 votes)
7. New books and equipment for the Kensington public library to enhance the branch’s use for meetings, storytelling, rehearsals, and small performances promoting Kensington's cultural diversity ($80,000, 582 votes)

An Informed Vote.

Later this month voting will begin to decide how we're going to spend 1 million dollars for projects for the area. Community leaders and members have already been hard at work sorting through the many many ideas for what to do with this budget and they've come up with project to put on the ballot at the end of this month. If you aren't already savvy to these plans you can attend a meeting to find out more. More info about this meeting below.

Serving the neighborhoods of Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope,
Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, and Kensington

The ballot will include everything from new technology for district schools to improvements to local parks. There are voting locations all across the district and early voting at my office, so there should be a location that is accessible to you. And join us for the Participatory Budgeting Expo on Wednesday, March 14^th, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at the Park Slope Armory, to learn more about the projects that will be on the ballot (visit BradLander.com/PB for more information).