UPDATED on April 16, 2026

COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING

Vote Online Through April 19 at https://rnd.council.nyc.gov/PB_Voting

In-Person Voting on Saturday, April 18, 11am to 2pm

—At—

333 West 17th Street

Chelsea Recreation Center (430 W. 25th St. btw. 9th & 10th Aves.)

City-As-School (16 Clarkson St. btw. Hudson St. & 7th Ave, South)

Westport Apartment Building, John Jay College Entrance (831 10th Ave. btw. W. 55th & 56th Sts.)

BY SCOTT STIFFLER | Does your local library lack proper HVAC? Is that park by the waterside overdue to be revitalized? Would the trees seen on your daily routine rally, if only for some protective fencing? If you’re a NYC resident who answered “Yes” to any of these scenarios, know that the funding they require could be found at your local polling place, should they appear as an item on the Participatory Budgeting (PB) ballot.

As we noted here in coverage of the 2025 cycle, the PB process begins as a brainstorming session at which community members identify physical infrastructure projects in public spaces  (think schools, parks, libraries,, and tree-lined side streets). Over the next few months, a limited number of worthy candidates emerges. An annual Expo is held, at which project advocates woo potential Vote Week participants. Based on the results, the top vote-getter is fully funded, with other popular projects funded until the $1 million has been spent.(click here to read about last year’s winners). 

What 

Participatory Budgeting Vote Week

When  & Where

April 11 – 19: Online Voting Via This Link:

 https://rnd.council.nyc.gov/PB_Voting

In-Person PB Voting Locations for Council District 3:

Saturday, April 11: 10am to 1 pm at Abingdon Square (Hudson St, btw, 8th Ave. & 12th St.) and from 10am to 1pm at Manhattan Plaza (484 West 43rd St.) and from 11am to 2pm at the Penn South Community Room 5 (250 9th Ave.).

Sunday, April 12: 10am to 1pm at Seravalli Playground (17 Horatio St. btw. West 4th St. & Hudson St.) and 10am to 1pm at Manhattan Plaza (400 West 43rd St.) and 11am to 2pm at the Penn South Program for Seniors (200 Ninth Ave.).

In-Person Voting is edpected to also take place April 18 & 19, with other dates during the April 13-17 period. Informationis expected to be announced soon. Watch this space for updates.

Who 

Potential PB Voteres are 11 years of age or older, regardless of citizenship status, who live, work, or attend school in Council District 3.

  Where is Council District 3?

Council District 3 includes the Hudson Square, West Village, Chelsea, Hudson Yards, Meatpacking District, Garment District, Times Square, and Hell’s Kitchen areas.

 But wait. If we’re hot on the heels of PB’s decisive Vote Week (and we are), why hasn’t Council District 3 heard a peep about that annual Expo? Well, it’s taking a breather this year–but rest assured, CD3 PB is just about ready for you to cast your ballot–sitting Council Member notwithstanding.

NYC Council District 3 (CD3)–whose area of coverage includes Chelsea–is without a Council Member at the present moment, with Erik Bottcher having resigned from his CD3 seat. (The winner of a February 3, 2026 Special Election, Bottcher now serves as the NYS Senator representing District 47.) Four candidates are currently seeking the vacant Council seat, by way of Special Election scheduled for April 28; click here to learn about them.

Meantime, CD3 is left without a Council Member, and without staff for the District Office. As we noted in this report of February 20, 2026, City Council staff is keeping tabs on CD3 concerns until Bottcher’s successor is sworn in. Anyone with a CD3-centric question, problem, or Constituent Services request should send an email to District3@council.nyc.gov or call the District Office at 212-564-7757 and leave a message. Outreach via both of those methods will be responded to by Council staff.

As such, they responded ot our reqeust for PB info, supplying the following facts…

Here’s What’s on Council District 3’s Participatory Budgeting Ballot

Ballot Item #1 

What: New York Public Library Security Upgrades

Where: Throughout District 3

How: The project would provide funds towards security needs in District 3 libraries

How Much: $250,000

Ballot Item #2    

What: Arthur W. Strickler Triangle Fence

Where: Hudson Street/Bank Street/Bethune Street

How: Project would install a permanent fence at Arthur W. Strickler Triangle

How Much: $120,000

Ballot Item #3

What: Tree Guards for Side Streets

Where: Throughout District 3

How: Project would install 75 tree guards on side streets

How Much: $150,000

Ballot Item #4

What: Father Demo Square Paver Replacement

Where: 6th Avenue at Carmine Street/Bleecker Street 

How: Project would replace all pavers on the periphery of the park

How Much: $375,000

Ballot Item #5

What: James J. Walker Park Security Cameras

Where: Hudson Street – St. Lukes Place/Charlton Street,

How: Project would install two security cameras in JJ Walker Park

How Much: $90,000

Ballot Item #6  

What: High School of Graphic Arts Security Cameras

Where:439 West 49th Street

How: Project would provide initial funding for security cameras outside the high school

How Much: $250,000

Ballot item #7

What: Air Conditioning for PS 212/Professional Performing Arts High School

Where: 328 West 48th Street 

How: Project would install split system air conditioning units in the cafeteria shared by the elementary school and high school.

How Much: $350,000

Ballot Item #8

What: NYC Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies Gymnasium Divider

Where: 333 West 17th Street

How: Project would provide a curtained room divider in the school gymnasium, a space used by community groups and  multiple schools in the building

How Much: $150,000

Ballot Item #9  

What: Flatiron Plaza Reconstruction

Where: 22nd – 25th Street and Broadway/5th Avenue

How: Project will provide initial funding towards redesign of the iconic pedestrian space in the heart of the Flatiron District.

How Much: $350,000                   

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