Participatory Budgeting 2019: Decide Where YOUR Community’s Money Goes

Politics can sometimes leave citizens feeling overwhelmed and ineffective, but luckily on the local level it’s easier to have a direct impact on the community. This is especially true for Participatory Budgeting, in which City Council Members (ours is Costa Constantinides, District 22) allocate at least $1 million from their budget for the entire community to decide where it’s spent.

The process began almost a year ago, with community members attending public meetings to discuss local needs and develop proposals. Now, it’s time for residents to vote on those final 13 proposals and decide which ones they’d like to fund.

This Year’s Proposals Include:

• Aiding in the ongoing renovation project for the Astoria Library at 14-01 Astoria Blvd
• Beautifying the gardens and grounds at the Astoria Houses Community Center
• Adding Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) to bus stops (to be chosen in conjunction with the DOT)
• Resurfacing the handball courts at Hoyt Playground
• Electrical upgrades in 11 classrooms at P.S. 70 to support window air conditioners

All 13 proposals can be seen here, and you can cast up to five votes. Voting begins on March 30 and continues through April 6.

Polling sites are below, and you can also vote online here:

March 30
Astoria Library
14-01 Astoria Blvd
12-4 p.m.

March 31
Urban Upbound
4-25 Astoria Blvd
12-4 p.m.

April 1-5
Office of Council Member Costa Constantinides
31-09 Newton Ave, 209
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

April 2
Bohemian Hall
29-19 24th Ave
6-8 p.m.

April 4
Astoria Houses Community Center
4-05 Astoria Blvd
6-8 p.m.

April 6
Astoria Library
14-01 Astoria Blvd
12-4 p.m.

Residents ages 11 and up can vote, so this is a great opportunity to teach kids about their civic duty!

What do you hope gets funded?