LINCOLN SQUARE — Got a poorly lit alley, vacant building or cracked sidewalk on your block?
The 47th Ward office wants to hear about it.
The ward's annual "block audit" is now under way, the first step in Ald. Ameya Pawar's participatory budgeting process to determine how to spend $1.3 million in discretionary money earmarked for infrastructure projects.
Some $300,000 has already been set aside for playground improvements at Audubon, McPherson and Ravenswood elementary schools.
Residents can take part in the proecess by completing an online survey that asks people to answer questions about their specific block: the conditions of streets, sidewalks, alleys, homes and buildings, stormwater drainage, lighting and safety.
The survey will remain open until Dec. 20. Ward office staff will then use the information to build a preliminary list of potential projects. The list will then be posted online, with residents voting to help prioritize which of those projects receives funding.