Closing Bell: Voting Begins Soon for Participatory Budgeting

Next week residents in seven city council districts in Brooklyn will be able to vote on how to spend millions of dollars in city funds. The process, called participatory budgeting, is designed to give the public a voice in how to allocate resources. Each district will have about $1,000,000 to spend on winning projects.

Last year residents of District 33 chose to upgrade the playground at McGorlick Park in Greenpoint, pictured above. This year projects on the ballot include a $400,000 renovation of the community center in Cooper Park in east Williamsburg, $260,000 to plant trees and install tree guards in Sunset Park, and $225,000 for technology improvements at three public schools in Bensonhurst. Each district has many worthwhile projects to choose from.

In Brooklyn, city council districts 33, 34, 38, 39, 44, 45 and 47 are all participating. Click here to find your district and voting sites. This interactive map lists all the projects that will be on the ballot in every district .

Voting takes place between April 13 and 19. Anyone age 14 and over who lives in the district can vote with a proof of address.

Photo by NYC Parks