Menin Reveals Winners of $1.85M Jackpot: 19th Pct., 5 Libraries, 3 Schools, 1 Fire House

The 19th NYPD precinct is getting an air conditioning upgrade, the Roosevelt Island fire station is getting a new forklift, two public schools will get bathroom overhauls while a third school gets new lockers.

The projects announced by city council member Julie Menin were among the ten winners of the $1.85 million in participatory budget funds in city council district 5, which covers a bid swath of the UES and Roosevelt Island,

Over 6,000 people voted and the result is that the money will be split among three public schools, four libraries, a UES police precinct and a Roosevelt Island fire station.

M.S. 177 and P.S. 158 will receive $500,000 for bathroom upgrades. M.S. 167 will receive $500,000 to replace old, dated lockers and install new flooring for student activities. Five libraries, Webster, Yorkville, 67th Street, 96th Street, and Roosevelt Island libraries, will also receive $250,000 for new system-wide technology upgrades such as network, computers, tablets and printers.

The NYPD’s 19th Precinct will receive $300,000 for HVAC upgrades, and the Roosevelt Island FDNY will also receive $300,000 for a remotely operated forklift that can remove burning vehicles.

The participatory budget process starts when the council member draws ideas from community meetings, residents brainstorming ideas and recruiting volunteers (known as “Budget Delegates”) for the current cycle. After months of solidifying proposals, the stakeholders prepared for a nine-day districtwide vote.

“Participatory Budgeting gives New Yorkers the opportunity to directly participate in shaping and deciding which projects in their district get funded,” Menin said in a statement announcing the results. “This process is about civic engagement and empowers community members of all ages to get involved in the long-term success of their local communities.”

Unlike traditional city elections, voters in the participatory voting process can be anyone 14 or above who lives or works with the city council district. And non-citizens can cast their votes in participatory voting as well.

All 51 council members have discretionary funds that they can dispense on projects in their own districts, although not every council member holds votes. Some council members simply award their funds to projects deemed worthy in their districts. While there is a set period of time to vote, there is no time table as to when the results get released. Menin, who is also the speaker of the city council, is one of the first members to release the winners within her district.