ROGERS PARK — Five new murals, alleyway repairs and even kayak storage lockers are among the projects on the 49th Ward's Participatory Budgeting ballot this year.
More than 1,700 ward residents voted on last year's projects.
Each year, aldermen are given $1.3 million for infrastructure repairs and projects. Ald. Joe Moore (49th) puts up $1 million of that to a vote. In the months leading up to the participatory budgeting election, residents come up with specific projects.
First, residents choose the percentage of all the money that should be used for street and sidewalk repairs. This year, alleyways will be included.
Then voters choose the top four projects they want to see get done. The projects garnering the most votes are funded — until the money runs out.
Here's a list of all projects that will be on the 2015 ballot:
• Kayak storage lockers at Leone Beach Park with room for 50-80 kayaks (coincides with the park's planned renovation)
Cost: $150,000
• 100 trees throughout the ward
Cost: $68,000
• Gates at Goldberg Playlot and Harold Washington Memorial Park; indoor drinking fountain at Pottawattomie Park; outdoor drinking fountain at Goldberg Playlot
Cost: $140,000
• Five murals at "L" and Metra viaducts, including at Lunt Avenue and viaducts south of Pratt Boulevard (project would ensure all 49th Ward viaducts have artwork)
Cost: $30,000
• Bricolage mosaic mural at New Field School — on wall facing Clark Street
Cost: $47,000
• Artificial turf field at Mary Langdon Park (25 by 50 feet over current concrete)
Cost: $80,000-$100,000
• 17 street identifiers along Clark Street; one sign would be placed on each block between Albion Avenue and Howard Street; design to be decided
Cost: $102,000
• New crosswalk on Clark Street at Chicago Math and Science Academy and Touhy Park (includes "stop for pedestrian" sign
Cost: $20,000
• Five bus stop benches at Clark Street and Rogers Avenue; Clark and Birchwood Avenue; Howard and Greenview Avenue; and Morse and Ashland avenues
Cost: $12,250
Early voting kicks off April 18 at the 49th Ward service office, coinciding with Moore's "Spring Clean-up" event 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Residents can also vote 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 20-24 at the ward office — and at the following locations:
• 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19 at St. Jerome Church, 1709 W. Lunt Ave.
• 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 20 at the Howard "L" station
• 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 21 at the Morse "L" station
• 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 22 at the Jarvis "L" station
• 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 23 at the Loyola "L" station
Finally, voters can cast a ballot 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on election day, April 25, at the Chicago Math and Science Academy, 7212 N. Clark St.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: