QUEENS — City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz is bringing participatory budgeting back to her Queens district, allowing residents to choose how city funds should be spent in their neighborhoods.
Koslowitz, who represents Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill, has allocated $1 million in capital funds for projects in her district which can include things like school improvements, library repairs or park upgrades.
In October, residents will have a chance to suggest their ideas during neighborhood assemblies. The best suggestions will be later turned into fully developed proposals which will be voted on next spring.
Over 1,300 residents took part in the previous participatory budgeting cycle in Koslowitz' district. Locals voted to fund 10 additional security cameras, several kiosks with real-time information about subway service and air conditioning for three schools.
These projects will be implemented later this year.
The councilwoman will hold four neighborhood assemblies to collect ideas. Additionally, she will host several pop-up locations, including at the Forest Hills Greenmarket and near the 63rd Drive subway station. The dates of the pop-up meetings are still to be determined.
Here are the upcoming dates for participatory budgeting neighborhood assemblies in District 29:
► Oct. 1, Richmond Hill Library, 118-14 Hillside Ave., Richmond Hill, at 7 p.m.
► Oct. 7, P.S. 139, 93-06 63rd Dr., Rego Park, at 7 p.m.
► Oct. 8, Forest Hills Jewish Center, 106-06 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, at 7 p.m.
► Oct. 16, Kew Gardens Community Center (community room, 2nd floor), 80-02 Kew Gardens Rd., at 7 p.m.
For more information contact Alex Anderson in Council Member Koslowitz’ office at 718-544-8800 or alanderson@council.nyc.gov.
