Brooklyn – Councilman David G. Greenfield is inviting residents to use their downtime while riding out Hurricane Sandy to brainstorm and suggest ideas for how $1 million in capital government funds should be spent on projects right on their block on in their neighborhood as part of the ongoing participatory budgeting initiative in the 44th Council District neighborhoods. Over the past two weeks, neighborhood assembly meetings have been held in Boro Park and Midwood to give residents a chance to suggest how this capital money can best be spent throughout the community. A similar meeting is scheduled for this Thursday at 7 p.m. in Bensonhurst at PS 205, 6701 20th Avenue. After that meeting is held, members of Greenfield’s staff and volunteer budget delegates will review all of the suggestions put forth by residents during the three sessions to see which projects are eligible to be included on the final ballot. This spring, all district residents ages 16 and older will be invited to vote on which project they like best.

In the meantime, any residents who missed the Boro Park and Midwood neighborhood assembly meetings over the past two weeks are still welcome to suggest their ideas for local capital projects directly to Greenfield’s district office. All capital projects that cost at least $35,000, have a lifespan of at least five years and serve a public benefit are eligible for funding under participatory budgeting. At the Boro Park and Midwood meetings, a wide range of ideas were suggested, including playground renovations at local schools, security cameras, internet access in local parks, sidewalk improvements and additional countdown pedestrian signals at busy intersections.

“We want to hear from as many residents as possible, so I invite everyone who is stuck inside due to Hurricane Sandy to take a few minutes to think about what types of projects and upgrades you would like to see funded to improve our local neighborhoods. The idea is simple – community members like you know the neighborhood better than anyone, and I know that a lot of residents were unable to attend our recent meetings. I invite you to contact me with your ideas on how to improve your block, park or schools. Please join me in this exciting project,” said Greenfield.

To suggest ideas, simply call Greenfield’s district office at (718) 853-2704 or e-mail the Councilman’s budget director, Jake Adler, at [email protected].

(YWN Desk – NYC)