Which Williamsburg And Greenpoint Projects Should The City Fund? Vote For New Picnic Grove, Toddler Playground, More

BROOKLYN, NY — Seems like just yesterday every red-blooded New Yorker over age 14 was racing to the polls for Participatory Budgeting Vote Week 2016, making controversial neighborhood decisions like whether to divert taxpayer money toward a "Lake Mess Monster" aquatic weed harvester for Prospect Park or a fleet of roving "mobile studios" for starving artists in Gowanus.

JK. Only a few thousand residents (at most) in each of the city's 51 districts ever bother to vote in these things. The vast majority probably don't even know they exist.

Considering how much of our own cash is on the line, though, that's kind of a shame. And some of the proposals can be pretty rad — this year, for example, Williamsburg and Greenpoint residents have the chance to fund a new, $400,000 "picnic grove" in McCarren Park.

So what do you say we make 2017 the year Participatory Budgeting became the cool thing to do? You know, over a beer with a neighbor on a Friday night.

Scroll down for a list of the projects in Williamsburg and Greenpoint vying for $1 million to $2 million in city funds this year.

If you're not familiar with any of them (and aren't much of a picnic person), this whole process may seem like a waste of time. But think what a difference your vote could make for, say, a local school seeking laptops, air conditioners or a brand-new STEM + Arts Lab.

Now that we've guilted you into some good, old-fashioned community involvement: Before you vote, you'll have to figure out which City Council district you live in.

Unfortunately, because municipal governments can never do things the easy way, NYC's political districts aren't divided cleanly by neighborhood. So you'll have to plug in your address here to find your City Council district. Or, if you like to live on the edge, do your best to geolocate yourself in either the 33rd or 34th district on these maps:

Once you know your City Council district — feels kinda good, doesn't it? — you can browse nearby projects in need of city funds. We've listed them below.

And once you've decided which ones you want to support, you can vote for your 5 favorites online (or in person) between Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, April 2.

That's pretty much it. Get to democratizing, you crazy kids:

WILLIAMSBURG

If you live in Williamsburg and your home is located within Stephen Levin's 33rd City Council district, below are your options for neighborhood projects to fund. And here's where you can vote in person.

New Exterior Sign, Williamsburg Library

• A new stainless steel sign with update-able hours of service and messages to promote library initiatives.
• Williamsburg Library, 240 Division Avenue, Williamsburg
• $70,000

New Seating in School Auditorium, Juan Morel Campus

• Replace over 600 47-year old seats in auditorium used by four public schools and neighborhood groups.
• I.S. 71, 215 Heyward Street, Williamsburg
• $450,000

STEM Lab for John Wayne Elementary School

• Construction of a STEM lab will allow over 800 students access to new technology. This will prepare them for success.
• P.S. 380, 370 Marcy Avenue, Williamsburg
• $250,000

Repair Toddler Playground at Independence Towers

• Install new safety surface and replace broken equipment for needed toddler playground.
• 130 Clymer Street, Independence Towers, Williamsburg
• $500,000

Safety Lighting at Middleton Playground

• For the benefit and security of the neighborhood, increased lighting is needed for this popular playground.
• Middleton Playground, South Williamsburg
• $500,000

Picnic Grove in McCarren Park

• Provide a tranquil, comfortable outdoor setting for neighborhood residents to enjoy.
• McCarren Park, Williamsburg/Greenpoint
• $400,000

Real Time Bus Clocks

• Electronic signs that provide live, up-to-date arrival times at 12 stops along the B62/B32 bus routes.
• Districtwide
• $300,000

Pedestrian Safety, Williamsburg

• Continue to improve safety at Meeker and Metropolitan Avenues that will shorten crossing times and encourage lower speeds.
• Meeker and Metropolitan Avenues, North Williamsburg
• $250,000

Repair Broken Sidewalks at Independence Towers

• Repair broken sidewalks outside of independence Towers Community Center. Make walking home safe for all.
• Taylor Street between Bedford and Wythe streets, South Williamsburg
• $350,000

If you, on the other hand, live in Williamsburg but your home is located within Antonio Reynoso's 34th City Council district, below are your options for neighborhood projects to fund. And here's where you can vote in person.

Electrical Upgrade at Grand Street Campus

• This electrical upgrade will set the building up for an air-conditioning system in the future.
• 850 Grant Street, East Williamsburg
• $300,000

Auditorium Upgrade at P.S. 257

• We want to install new chairs, wheelchair access to the stage, a screen and modern light and sounds installations.
• 60 Cook Street, East Williamsburg
• $250,000

Multi Media Center at P.S. 250

• This includes state of the art technology and support for media such as photography, film making and podcasting.
• 108 Montrose Avenue, East Williamsburg
• $400,000

A Paperless School at the Green School

• We are asking for 100 laptops and charging carts to support our mission to become a paperless school.
• 223 Graham Avenue, East Williamsburg
• $150,000

Tech Upgrades at P.S. 319 and EBC High School

• Our technology upgrades include new laptops to aid students from Pre-K to the 12th grade in both schools.
• 360 Keap Street, East Williamsburg, and 1155 Dekalb Avenue, Bushwick
• $350,000

Auditorium Facelift at P.S. 147/TYWLS

• This project calls for an upgrade to the auditorium that P.S. 147 and The Young Women’s Leadership School share.
• 325 Bushwick Avenue, East Williamsburg
• $400,000

Playground Renovation at Cooper Park Houses

• We are asking for new benches, tables and modern playground structures with wheelchair access.
• 1 of 3 playgrounds throughout the development, East Williamsburg/Greenpoint
• $500,000

Roadway Resurfacing

• A replacement of a 1 mile lane with asphalt made from recycled materials. Will improve street flow and travel time.
• Districtwide
• $250,000

GREENPOINT

If you live in Greenpoint and your home is located within Stephen Levin's 33rd City Council district, below are your options for neighborhood projects to fund. And here's where you can vote in person.

New Electrical AC, Monitor School

• Provide upgraded wiring in classrooms for AC units purchased by the school. Cooler classrooms help students learn.
• P.S. 110, 124 Monitor Street, Greenpoint
• $175,000

STEAM (Steam + Arts) Lab for Samuel Dupont Elementary School

• Pre-K -5th classrooms will be outfitted with new STEAM Labs for teaching and learning. Prepare students for the future.
• P.S. 31, 75 Meserole Avenue, Greenpoint
• $218,000

Water Source and Paving at McGolrick Park

• Install water sources for irrigation of plants and grasses and complete the repaving of the sidewalks and paths.
• McGolrick Park, Greenpoint
• $500,000

Picnic Grove in McCarren Park

• Provide a tranquil, comfortable outdoor setting for neighborhood residents to enjoy.
• McCarren Park, Williamsburg/Greenpoint
• $400,000

Real Time Bus Clocks

• Electronic signs that provide live, up-to-date arrival times at 12 stops along the B62/B32 bus routes.
• Districtwide
• $300,000