Council Member Andrew Cohen announced the results of the Participatory Budgeting voting process at Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy (RKA) in front of members of the community, Participatory Budgeting volunteers and RKA students.
This announcement concluded a year-long process that gave residents decision-making power of $1 million towards community improvement projects in their neighborhoods. During the voting week, residents in the community were able to see all the proposals on the ballot, as well as place their votes on which projects they thought deserved funding the most. Anyone who lives in the district, 16 years and older were welcome to cast a vote. A total of twenty-four council members participated this year, giving communities all over the city decision-making power of more than $25 million.
“Participatory Budgeting was a huge success for District 11 and I am proud to say that I was able to bring this project into our communities for the first time. This innovative process gave my neighbors a direct voice in how their tax dollars were spent. It was an inviting system that promoted civic engagement, as well as gave the opportunity for members of the community to help develop ideas that eventually became project proposals. The thing I’m most proud of was the quality of the ballot. The ideas were truly created from community members, people who know the district and the needs of their block. This enabled us to have a ballot that included 11 projects that would make a difference to our neighborhoods,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.
Thousands of residents throughout District 11 came out to cast their vote. Out of 11 projects residents of the community were permitted to vote for five projects from four different categories: education, parks & recreation, transportation and libraries.
Of those 11 projects, the top five that were voted to receive funding are:
· M.S/H.S. 141 Auditorium renovation
o $200,000 will be used to upgrade the 55 year old auditorium used by 1,400 students and several other community organizations. Installation of new stage drapes and replacements of wooden seats that are in disrepair
· Bus Countdown Clocks
o $120,000 will be used to install bus countdown clocks at Bx1, Bx10, Bx16 and Bx34 bus stops throughout Wakefield, Bedford Park, Woodlawn, Riverdale, Kingsbridge and Norwood to alert commuters as to how many stops away their next bus is.
· P.S. 24 Technology Expansion
o $70,000 will be used to purchase two computer carts consisting of 36 laptop units each to help students in their current curriculum and prepare them for future subject matter, as well as college readiness.
· Spuyten Duyvil Playground Renovation
o $400,000 will be used to reconstruct the existing wading pool as an accessible spray shower and install new pavement, fencing, seating, planting and utilizes.
· Van Cortlandt Library
o $300,000 will be used to replace the outdated a leaky roof to prevent water damage to the facility.
With the Mosholu Library and P.S. 8 projects coming in as close runner-ups, Council Member Cohen decided to also allocate capital funding to them as well:
· P.S. 8 Auditorium Renovation
o $450,000 will be used to replace the outdated seating in the 60-year-old auditorium, a common area use for community meetings and performances throughout the year.
· Mosholu Library Window Replacement
o $350,000 will be used to install new windows and frame to help insulate the facility during the summer and winter months.
Left - Councilman Cohen is introduced by RKA Principal Laura O'Mara, who at first called him Councilman Koppell catching herself to say that Councilman Cohen was recently elected to the City Council.
Right - Cohen Chief of Staff Dan Johnson guards the winning PB Project announcements.
Left - 5th Place winner Van Cortlandt Library Roof replacement.
Right - 4th Place winner Spuyten Duyvil Playground renovations.
Left - 3rd Place winner P.S. 24 Technology Expansion.
Right - 2nd Place winner Bus Countdown Clocks Districtwide.
Left - 1st Place winner RKA Auditorium Renovations.
Left - Even though they were not winners, the P.S. Auditorium and Mosholu Library projects will be funded by Councilman Cohen.
A group photo with RKA Principal Omara (left) and Councilman Cohen among the Student Council members of RKA.
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