Homeless Kits, Trees Top Cambridge Capital Improvement Projects

CAMBRIDGE, MA - More trees, help for the homeless and new crosswalks for safer streets topped the list for the the fourth Participatory Budget (PB) Process, according to Cambridge Public Information Officer Ini Tomeu.

On Tuesday, the City of Cambridge released the winning capital improvement projects voted on by the residents of Cambridge.

Over 6,778 Cambridge residents age 12 and older voted to decide how to spend $800,000 on capital projects to improve the community - a 43% increase from last year.

“Participatory Budgeting has been an incredible community engagement tool in the city and I am pleased we were able to invest $67,000 more in funds to allow a 7th winning project to be selected,” said Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager. “Over the past 4 years we have been able to engage thousands of people in this innovative process, and I am particularly proud that all Cambridge residents at least 12 years old, including non-US citizens and university students, were able to vote.”

The following 7 projects won $867,000 in FY19 Capital Funding:

1. 100 Trees for a Cleaner, Greener Cambridge ($141,000)
2. Critical Resource Kits for the Homeless ($50,000)
3. Flashing Crosswalks for Safer Streets ($176,000)
4. Drinking Water Across More Parks ($100,000)
5. New Musical Instruments for CRLS ($200,000)
6. Jade Chain: Living Moss Walls to Combat Pollution ($100,000)
7. Upgrade the Gately Youth Center ($100,000)

Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process through which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. The goal of PB is to directly involve residents in the budgeting and City-building process, foster civic engagement and community spirit, and help ensure that the City’s Capital Plan reflects the priorities of Cambridge residents.

Community members brainstormed and submitted project ideas this summer to improve Cambridge. Afterward, volunteer Budget Delegates researched and developed those ideas into formal project proposals that were reviewed by City staff and approved by the City Manager appeared on a PB ballot in December for a public vote.

The winning projects will be included in the FY19 Capital Budget for adoption. To learn more about PB and the winning projects, please visit pb.cambridgema.gov.

Courtesy Photo / City of Cambridge