Participatory Budgeting Begins
So, let us break it down for you. We’re part of District 22 -which also includes Long Island City, Woodside, East Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights. Through community meetings, we’ve narrowed it down to 18 projects. When you vote, you can vote for 5 different projects.
The projects come under four major categories: public schools; streets, sidewalks and transportation; parks and recreation; and public housing.
Now, here are the projects:
Public Schools
1. I.S. 126 Playground
$500,000
Transformation of I.S. 126’s parking lot into a recreational playground for the school and the entire community. 31-51 21 Street (Astoria)
2. P.S. 84 Electrical Upgrades
$100,000
Upgrade the school’s electrical system in order to support existing technology. 22-45 41 Street (Astoria)
3. P.S. 84 Cafeteria Upgrade
$150,000
Renovate the school’s cafeteria with new flooring, drop-ceiling, along with cafeteria benches and tables. 22-45 41 Street (Astoria)
4. P.S. 122 Cafeteria Soundproofing
$100,000
Soundproof the school’s cafeteria. The school was built nearly a century ago and the cafeteria was not designed to mitigate noise levels. Currently, students complain of headaches. 21-21 Ditmars Boulevard (Astoria)
5. P.S. 151 Bathroom Renovations
$300,000
Renovations will update the bathroom’s plumbing system and aesthetics – making the facilities safer and cleaner. 50-05 31 Avenue (Woodside)
6. P.S. 2 Wheelchair Ramp Access
$200,000
Build a ramp to allow for wheelchair access into the school – allowing the school to be designated once again as a polling site for voters. 75-10 21 Avenue (East Elmhurst)
7. P.S. 2 Music Room
$200,000
Create a music room for students at P.S. 2. This will create a special space for students to receive a music and arts education. 75-10 21 Avenue (East Elmhurst)
8. P.S. 166 Rooftop Playground
$100,000
Building a playground on the roof of P.S. 166 to give students a recreational space to play. 33-09 35 Avenue (Long Island City)
9. Public School District-wide Tech Upgrade
$245,000
Technology upgrades of $35,000 each for the following schools: P.S. 84, P.S. 122, P.S. 234, I.S. 235, P.S. 17, P.S. 2, and I.S. 141. District-wide (Astoria)
10. P.S. 70 Science Lab Upgrade
$500,000
Renovate the science lab facility at P.S. 70. to provide students with the best tools to learn about the sciences. 30-45 42 Street (Astoria)
Streets, Sidewalk and Transportation
11. Newtown Plaza
$400,000
This project would begin the process of redesigning the streetscape on Newtown Avenue between 32nd and 33rd Street so that a pedestrian plaza could be constructed at that location. Newtown Ave, b/w32 &33 Sts. (Astoria)
12. Redesign 21 Street at Astoria Blvd
$500,000
This project would add curb extensions to the 21st Street/Astoria Boulevard intersection, and shorten the distance that pedestrians need to cross. 21st Street/Astoria Boulevard (Astoria)
Parks and Recreation
13. Dog Run in Astoria
$500,000
Turn Triborough Lot C under the RFK Bridge in Astoria into a dog run. Hoyt Ave. bet. 23 St. &24 St. (Astoria)
14. Fitness Upgrade: Whitey Ford Field
$300,000
Upgrade the fitness equipment, enhancing the public health benefits of the playground. 26 Ave. and 2nd St. (Astoria)
15. Play for All: Hallets Cove Playgroud
$375,000
Upgrade playground and install equipment for children with special needs. 30 Ave. and Vernon Blvd. (Astoria)
16. Basketball Court: Woodtree Playgroud
$375,000
Upgrade the basketball court at Woodtree Playground, enhancing the fitness benefits of the playground. 20 Ave. bet. 37 St. and 38 St. (Astoria)
17.Dog Run in Jackson Heights
$500,000
Turn the lot on 78 Street into a dog run. 78 St. bet. 25 Ave. and 30 Ave (Jackson Heights
Public Housing
18. Renovate Astoria Houses Basketball Court
$350.000
Purpose of the project is to renovate the Astoria Houses basketball court so that it is a safe and attractive facility for the community residents. 4-25 Astoria Blvd (Astoria)
The voting starts tomorrow, and there are locations throughout the neighborhood. Here’s where you can vote:
