REPORTED BY KATHRYN STOMSVIK with PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN MILES | Monday, September 30, 2024, just before dusk: A violet glow illuminated the rush of Times Square traffic passing by 227 West 42nd Street’s Todd Haimes Theatre—a 1918-built venue whose neo-renaissance style was restored in 2000 by Roundabout Theatre Company.
Inside, on the fifth floor of Roundabout’s “flagship home on Broadway,” the Penthouse Lobby’s lavish and atmospheric design provided inspiration for big ideas to emerge from the kickoff of Council District 3’s 2025 Participatory Budgeting (PB) process.
Addressing the approximately 30 attendees and a group of youthful High Line Fellows who served as facilitators, New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher explained that PB “demystifies” local government, and makes its spending process “inclusive, collaborative, and accessible.” The Council Member backed up PB that assessment by drawing $1 Million from his Office’s discretionary fund and committing it to the PB projects that emerge with the most public support.
Jordan Feiner, Bottcher’s Budget Director and Liaison to Manhattan Community Board 4, outlined PB’s timeline, restrictions, and eligibility requirements. The annual cycle begins in the fall, with ideas collected through in-person brainstorming sessions, the first of which served as the centerpiece of September 30’s event. Budget Delegates—volunteers chosen to develop ideas into workable proposals—collaborate with city agencies and staff to create actionable plans. These proposals are then narrowed down, appearing on the ballot for a springtime public voting period.
PB funding is available only for “brick and mortar” or “capital” projects, such as upgrading playground equipment, adding technology to schools, or creating new public park areas. (West 20th Street’s Chelsea Green Park, which just turned five, emerged as the first District 3 PB winner.) Additionally, proposals must fit within the budget limits, with a minimum of $50,000 and a maximum of $1 million without outside funding. Last year, 24 out of 51 NYC districts participated in PB, and that number has grown this year.
After Feiner’s presentation, the floor was opened for audience questions. One attendee asked, “What is the timeline, and where does the money go?” Feiner quipped, “Unless your project is sending a $1 million check made out to Jordan Feiner, the money goes to the government agency implementing the project.” He added, “The timeline depends on how fast the city can operate. Some projects can be completed in one to two years, while others may take longer, depending on scope and agency involvement. We prioritize and earmark Participatory Budget winners.”
Another attendee asked if any Council Districts funded non-capital projects. Feiner noted, “There are one or two Districts that also have expense funding in their Participatory Budget. Those are areas with fewer organizations applying for funding. We are fortunate in Council District 3 to have many organizations.” He suggested that expense funding could be a possibility in the future, but not for this cycle.
As brainstorming buzzed around the room, Council Member Bottcher and Feiner made their way around the room, discussing ideas and answering questions. Each table had a poster board listing ideas and project locations. After about 30 minutes of lively discussion, idea sharing, and voting with sticky notes, Feiner announced, “I hope you all voted. I hope you came up with good ideas because now, one lucky person from each table is going to come up and make their Broadway debut!”
Salih Sabri, President of the West 30th Street Block Association, addressed the room first, noting, “Thirtieth Street between Fifth and Eighth Avenues has no trees because there are vaults lying just beneath the streets, so we are hoping to get above-ground planters.” Other ideas included re-envisioning James J. Walker Park (Hudson St., St. Luke’s Pl., Clarkson St., 7th Ave. ), resurfacing sprinklers at Pinwheel Park (311 W. 24th St.), adding more public restrooms throughout the city, improving lighting in dog parks, more accessible subway stations, and addressing climate change more effectively in our neighborhoods.
As the audience dispersed, John Camacho, a founder a group supporting students with special needs after they age out of School District 75 (providing specialized instructional support for students with significant challenges)—shared his hope to allocate more resources for young adults with special needs transitioning from the New York City public school system to community colleges and job training programs.
The District 3 PB process aims to generate dozens upon dozens of ideas, with eight to 12 proposals making it to this year’s PB ballot. Council Member Bottcher remarked, “We’re going to spread a wide net for people all across District 3 and ask them, ‘What improvements do you want to see in the neighborhood, in city-owned property, schools, parks, libraries, roads, etc.?’ ”
One of the most exciting aspects of PB is that anyone over age 11 can vote for these proposals—an outstanding way to introduce young New Yorkers to the democratic process!
Examples of PB-Funded Projects Over the Last Two Cycles:
Chairlift installation at P.S. 212
Media center at Chelsea Recreation Center
Bathroom renovations at District 3 public schools
Pedestrian safety upgrades in the Theater District
Do you have an idea for a capital project that could benefit your community? Now is the time to let your voice be heard. In an email sent by Council Member Bottcher’s office to thank those who attended September 30’s Kickoff event, Feiner noted, “We have recorded all of the ideas generated from the Kickoff, but I wanted to let everyone know that the online idea map is live!!! We will be collecting ideas online and in-person until Friday, November 15. Please send this link around to all your networks and spread the good word of PB! We will also be doing an idea collection Neighborhood Assembly later this month. Keep an eye out for a flyer for that.”
Feiner further noted Upcoming Budget Delegate Meetings , saying, “If you are interested in signing up to be a Budget Delegate please do so at this link! Budget Delegates help our office in proposal development from November to March, and are instrumental in helping during Vote Week in the spring! We will be doing one to two meetings per month for our Budget Delegates until Vote Week. Currently, the tentative dates for our Budget Delegate meetings for November and December are Monday, November 18 and Monday, December 9 respectively. Please signup to be a Budget Delegate at this link, and we will send more details about upcoming meetings.“
For Chelsea Community News’ Coverage of Previous PB Cycles, Click on the Below Links
PB’S Top Three: Council Member Bottcher Announces Trio of Winning Participatory Budgeting Projects
Through April 14, Cast Your D3 Participatory Budgeting Vote In-Person & Online
Brainpower Puts Another Round of Participatory Budgeting in Play
Through April 2, Participatory Budgeting Lets Locals Fund $1 Million Worth of District 3 Projects
Rite of ‘Passage’: Participatory Budgeting Cycle 12 Begins with High Line Brainstorming Session
Fresh Participatory Budgeting Cycle Begins, Befittingly, at Chelsea Green
At West Side Summit, Participatory Budgeting Process Peaks
MORE FROM THE SEPTEMBER 30 KICKOFF EVENT (ALL PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN MILES)
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