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Read the press release here.

Residents Want to Spend $1M in Funding on Dog Run, Pedestrian Plaza

 Residents at a participatory badgeting meeting in Council District 22.
Residents at a participatory badgeting meeting in Council District 22.
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Office of Costa Constantinides

ASTORIA — Residents want to put a dog run, youth center and pedestrian plaza in the neighborhood, among more than 200 projects being considered for $1 million in funding.

City Councilman Costa Constantinides held the participatory budgeting meetings this fall in his Astoria district — which also includes parts of Woodside, Elmhurst and Jackson Heights — where residents were asked how they'd like to see the funds spent.

One proposal was for a pedestrian plaza at Newtown and 30th avenues in Astoria. The Department of Transportation had looked to build a plaza at this location in 2012, but the plan was shot down by Community Board 1.

Residents also suggested building a dog run under the Triborough Bridge, something local pet owners have been pushing for in recent months.

Other ideas included upgrades at I.S. 126, improvements for the Hallets Cove playground and more lighting at the Astoria Houses, according to Constantinides' office.

"This is the first time that anyone in our district can directly make decisions about how taxpayer money is spent," the councilman said in a statement. "Participatory budgeting will allow community members to experience the city budget process on a hands-on basis and learn more about how our government works."

More than 70 residents who volunteered to be "budget delegates" will turn the ideas gathered at the assemblies into several project proposals, which will be voted on by the community this spring, according to a press release.

City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer has also started participatory budgeting this year in his district, which includes Long Island City, Woodside and Sunnyside. Residents there have also suggested a dog run, as well as a community boat launch and other projects.