The best part about participatory budgeting? The dioramas! Photo via Mark Levine.
City Council members Helen Rosenthal and Mark Levine, who represent different sections of the Upper West Side, are holding meetings this week to allow locals to vote on how to spend $1 million in each district.
The projects range from new picnic tables in Riverside Park to a new library at PS 191, to an indoor hydroponic farm. The voting will take place from now until April 3 at specified locations. Click on the links for the dates and locations in Helen Rosenthal’s district, and for Mark Levine’s district.
Below, check out a list of projects for each district:
Helen Rosenthal’s District:
Housing
| Renovation to Playground of Wise Towers | |
| Cost: | $350,000 |
| Location: | 124 W. 91st Street between Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue |
| Description: | Renovate and restore plaza area and add playground equipment at Wise Towers. (New York City Housing Authority) |
| Security Cameras for Amsterdam Addition | |
| Cost: | $300,000 |
| Location: | 240 W. 65th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and West End Avenue |
| Description: | Installation and updates to security cameras at Amsterdam Addition. (New York City Housing Authority) |
Seniors, Culture, and Community Facilities
| Air Conditioning at the Performing Arts Library | |
| Cost: | $350,000 |
| Location: | The New York Public Library of the Performing Arts, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza at W. 65th Street and Amsterdam Avenue |
| Description: | Renovation of 40-year old air conditioning system at the New York Public Library of Performing Arts to allow visitors to access the library during the warmer months comfortably. |
Parks, Playground, and Environment
| Riverside Park Recreation and Activity Area | |
| Cost: | $250,000 |
| Location: | Riverside Park at W. 76th Street |
| Description: | An activity and recreation area intended for tweens and younger adults, including facilities for a number of recreation activities. |
| Picnic Tables for Riverside Park | |
| Cost: | $65,000 |
| Location: | Riverside Park |
| Description: | Purchase and installation of picnic tables made of recycled, durable material capable of withstanding heavy use, weather conditions and permanently secured against theft. |
| Restoration of Joan of Arc Plaza | |
| Cost: | $300,000 |
| Location: | Joan of Arc Park |
| Description: | Repairs to steps and pathways leading to and from the Joan of Arc monument, including concrete steps, resurfacing blacktop, laying cobblestone and sealing masonry around the base of the statue. |
| Restoration of Riverside Park Basketball Courts | |
| Cost: | $200,000 |
| Location: | Riverside Park at W. 101st Street |
| Description: | Resurface and repair the existing basketball court to improve the recreation experience. |
| Adult Fitness Equipment in Riverside Park | |
| Cost: | $330,000 |
| Location: | Riverside Park |
| Description: | Installation of adult fitness equipment, including metal racks for sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, mats for stretching and exercise and bars for stretching in Riverside Park. |
Public Safety
| UWS CERT Emergency Response and Education Vehicle | |
| Cost: | $40,000 |
| Location: | Throughout the district |
| Description: | Purchase of a vehicle for UWS Community Emergency Response Team to store emergency and educational materials, and create pop-up preparedness events at street fairs, schools, and community gatherings. |
Education and Youth
| Creation of Library Space at P.S. 191 | |
| Cost: | $350,000 |
| Location: | P.S. 191, 210 W 61st Street between Amsterdam and West End Avenues |
| Description: | Renovate an existing lounge space to create library space to be used by students and their families at P.S. 191. |
| Video Surveillance System for P.S. 75 and M.S. 250 | |
| Cost: | $225,000 |
| Location: | P.S. 75 and M.S. 250, 735 West End Avenue between 95th and 96th Streets |
| Description: | Installation of a video surveillance system to be used by the school security desk to help monitor the school’s special needs population at P.S. 75 and M.S. 250. |
| Technology Upgrades at LaGuardia High School | |
| Cost: | $150,000 |
| Location: | Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, 100 Amsterdam Avenue between 64th and 65th Streets |
| Description: | Installation of SMART Boards, laptop carts, desktop computers, and a printing system for a department at LaGuardia High School. |
| Renovation of Courtyard at Brandeis Campus | |
| Cost: | $300,000 |
| Location: | Louis D. Brandeis Campus High School, 145 West 84th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues |
| Description: | Renovation of existing concrete courtyard, including new pavement and installation of tables, to serve the high schools located at the Brandeis Campus. |
| Auditorium Renovations & Upgrades at ​P.S. 166 | |
| Cost: | $210,000 |
| Location: | P.S. 166 / The Richard Rodgers School of Arts & Technology, 132 West 89th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues |
| Description: | Renovation of auditorium stage and seating and installation of technological upgrades at the auditorium at P.S. 166. |
Mark Levine’s District:
Libraries and Cultures
·    George Bruce Library Renovations & Repairs: The facility needs a complete overhaul of the drainage system ($1,000,000)
·    Elevator Repair at Hamilton Grange Library: Restoration to the exterior of the building, water damage within, inoperable boiler, installation of new windows, and workable HVAC ($400,000)
·    Riverstone Senior Center Upgrade & Renovation: Grounds renovation ($210,000)
Schools
·    Auditorium Audio Upgrade-Ralph Bunch Campus: Upgrade to audio system and acoustics in auditorium. ($125,000)
·    Electrical Upgrade to CC-Ralph Bunche Campus: upgrade electricity so that electrical equipment can be used in the classroom. ($200,000)
·    Improve Technology at Booker T. Washington: Laptop cart for middle school students at Booker T. Washington ($35,000)
·    Science Lab Upgrades at Columbia Secondary: Upgrade 3 existing science lab classrooms that will enhance STEM curriculum. ($75,000)
·    Indoor Hydroponic Farm at Columbia Secondary School: Indoor hydroponic farm for 200 elementary school students at CSS ($250,000)
·    Greenhouse Project at PS 28: Greenhouse classroom conversion with New York Sun Works at Wright Brothers ($250,000)
·    Smart Boards at Hamilton Grange Middle School: 5-10 smart boards at Hamilton Grange Middle School ($75,000)
·    Playground Upgrades at Hamilton Grange Middle School: Secure gating, security cameras to the basketball court at Hamilton Grange Middle School ($400,000)
·    Technology Lab Upgrades at Hamilton Grange Middle School: One laptop cart or 10-15 desktops at Hamilton Grange Middle School ($35,000)
Housing
·    Lighting Upgrades for Manhattanville Houses Recreational Areas: Proper lighting will enhance basic security at Manhattanville Houses ($500,000)
·    Manhattanville Houses Playground Renovation: Renovate, upgrade, and install new equipment and amenities at Manhattanville Houses ($500,000)
·    Audubon Houses Playground Renovation: Renovation of recreational area for exercise, activity, and relaxation ($500,000)
·    Manhattanville Houses Basketball Court Renovation: Resurface, replace and install new basketball court and recreational equipment at Manhattanville Houses ($500,000)
·    Manhattanville Houses Augment Exterior Security Cameras: Augment the current 16 cameras with additional cameras in Manhattanville Houses ($500,000)
Parks and Recreation
·    Green Up District 7: Planting 100 street trees and tree guards from W 125th-W 155th (300,000)
·    Cherry Walk Safety Improvements: Install reflective paint markings to illuminate and improve safety conditions from W110th-W 129th ($150,000)
·    Artificial Turf: Install artificial turf play surface on the eastern portion of the playground on Morningside Ave (W 123rd-W 124th ($500,000)
Streets and Transportation
·    Grant Houses Grounds Renovation: Replacing sidewalks in the area of Grant Houses ($325,000)
