Red Hook to vote on PB projects, by Kimberly Gail Price

Forty-six proposals in District 38 have been submitted for 2014 Participatory Budgeting Process (PBP) season. Ten of those projects are in Red Hook.

PBP is a process that enables community members to submit ideas for projects in their district to be funded by discretionary funds allocated by their local councilperson. Former Councilwoman, Sara Gonzalez allocated $2 million – double the amount of any other district – in September 2013. When Carlos Menchaca replaced her, he also agreed to continue the process in District 38.

Volunteers work for months to turn the suggestions into proposals that detail the timeline, feasibility and cost of each. Once the proposals have been submitted, each district creates an expo and invites residents to learn more about each proposal.

After the expos, the top proposals will be chosen by votes in late March and early April. Any resident age 16 and older who resides within the district is eligible to vote for their three favorite projects. The implementation of the chosen ones will begin in May.
Red Hook counts for a much smaller percentage of District 38. The majority of landmass and population is in Sunset Park, which means that the likelihood of more projects being chosen in that neighborhood is likely. Voter turnout will play a key role in which projects are funded.

District 38’s Project Expo will be held on Saturday, March 15 from 12-3 pm at the Sunset Park Recreation Center on 7th Avenue and 43rd Street. To date there has not been an expo scheduled in the vicinity of Red Hook.

The proposed projects for Red Hook are:

• A garden at the Red Hook Library
• Transition space between Carroll Gardens and Red Hook along the BQE
• Flood lighting for the Red Hook track area on Bay Street
• Safety zone lighting in along Henry Street between Lorraine and Bay Street, and Lorraine Street between Hicks and Henry Street
• An upgrade of the basketball courts at the NYCHA houses
• Community boards outside of NYCHA developments
• An outdoor fitness park
• An outdoor fitness park and skate park
• Air conditioning for the PS 15 auditorium
• Technology upgrades for PS 15.

Make your voices heard by learning more about each project at and encouraging neighbors and friends to vote. Voting dates and locations for District 38 have not yet been announced.
Councilmen Brad Lander (D-39) and Steven Levin (D-33) have also allocated PBP funds and will be holding expos this month. For more information about projects or expos visit www.pbnyc.org.