QUEENS — Residents of Central Queens will once again be able to nominate projects in their neighborhood to receive a portion of $1 million as part of Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz's participatory budgeting process.
The money, which comes from the councilwoman's discretionary capital funds, will be spent in Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens and a portion of Richmond Hill.
“The more people get involved, the more projects are introduced,” Koslowitz said. “It’s a very exciting experience and you are part of spending a million dollars for your community.”
Last year, residents decided to use the money to renovate bathrooms at three elementary schools, install a number of safety improvements at the intersection of Austin Street and 71st Avenue, and fund an outdoor reading room at the Forest Hills Library.
“Participatory budgeting gives the residents of District 29 real power to make real decisions over real money,” Koslowitz added.
Residents can suggest their ideas at any of the upcoming neighborhood assemblies, which kick off next week. They can also submit their proposals online.
Some have already offer their ideas.
One resident suggested planting more trees in Forest Hills and building an elevated pedestrian crosswalk over Queens Boulevard at Continental Avenue, one of the busiest intersections in the neighborhood.
Another person proposed installing additional entrances at the 75th Avenue station in Forest Hills. Currently, straphangers can only enter the station in the middle of the mezzanine.
Yet another suggested improving the dog run at the Overlook in Forest Park. The 9,000-square-foot space, which opened there in June, is bare-bones, and the Parks Department said that it currently has no funding for any upgrades.
Locals will be able to vote on the projects next spring.
Here are the upcoming dates for participatory budgeting assemblies in District 29:
► Monday, Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m., at P.S. 175, 64-35 102nd St., Rego Park
► Thursday, Sept. 29, 6:30 p.m., at Richmond Hill Library, 118-14 Hillside Ave., Richmond Hill
► Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m., at Forest Hills Jewish Center, 106-06 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills
► Thursday, Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m., at Kew Gardens Community Center, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road, second floor, Kew Gardens
