FOREST HILLS — Central Queens residents will soon get to vote on how to spend $1 million in budget funds on proposals they consider important in their neighborhoods — choosing from among projects such as upgrades at school libraries, exercise equipment in Forest Park and bus countdown clocks.
Residents ages 14 and older in City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz's district, which includes Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens and a portion of Richmond Hill, will be able to select up to five projects at a number of voting sites between March 25 and April 2.
“Participatory budgeting helps make budget decisions clear, accessible, and transparent,” Koslowitz wrote in her recent newsletter. “Additionally, it gives real budgetary power to my constituents!”
In previous years, residents in her district chose to fund 10 additional NYPD cameras, several so called “On The Go” kiosks, which provide real-time information about subway service and air conditioning for several schools in Central Queens, among other proposals.
Here are the 11 projects residents can vote to fund this year:
► Library upgrades at P.S. 220, P.S. 206 and P.S. 54 (cost: $700,000);
► Technology upgrades at P.S. 139, P.S. 220, P.S. 99, P.S 175, P.S. 196, P.S. 206, J.H.S. 157, J.H.S. 190 and Forest Hills High School (cost: $315,000);
► Auditorium upgrades, including acoustic treatment for P.S. 101 and A/V upgrades for P.S. 174, P.S. 220, P.S 139, and J.H.S. 157 (cost: $600,000);
► Bathroom renovations at P.S. 139, P.S. 220, P.S. 99, P.S. 206, P.S. 174 and P.S. 144 (cost: $450,000);
► Forest Park upgrades (cost: $500);
► Circuit training stations in Forest Park (cost: $250,000);
► Adult exercise equipment in Yellowstone Park (cost: $250,000);
► ADA accessible doors at all Queens Library branches in the district (cost: $260,000);
► Technology upgrades at all Queens Library branches in the district (cost: $200,000);
► Curb extension at the southeast corner of 102nd St. and 67th Ave. in Forest Hills (cost: $600,000);
► Bus countdown clocks at a variety of locations chosen by the Department of Transportation (cost: $175,000).
Residents can vote at the following voting sites:
► March 25, Forest Park at the Overlook, at 80-30 Park Lane, Kew Gardens, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
► March 26, Forest Hills Greenmarket, Queens Boulevard and 70th Ave., Forest Hills, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
► March 27, Austin Street and Lefferts Boulevard, Kew Gardens, from 4 to 7 p.m.;
► March 28, 63rd Drive and 108th St., Forest Hills from 3 to 6 p.m.;
► March 28, Austin St. and 71st Ave. from 4 to 7 p.m.;
► March 29, Richmond Hill Library at 118-14 Hillside Ave., from 12 to 6 p.m.;
► March 29, Yellowstone Park at Yellowstone Boulevard between 68 Ave. and 68 Road, Forest Hills, from 4 to 7 p.m.;
► March 30, Forest Hills Library at 108-19 71st Ave. from 12 to 6 p.m.;
► March 31, Forest Park at the Overlook, at 80-30 Park Lane, Kew Gardens, from 4 to 7 p.m.
► April 1, 63rd Drive and Queens Boulevard in Rego Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
► April 2, Forest Hills Greenmarket, Queens Boulevard and 70th Ave., Forest Hills, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information contact Alex Anderson at (718) 544-8800 or alanderson@council.nyc.gov. Residents will also have the opportunity to vote online by visiting pbnyc.org/vote. The site will go live on March 25.
