By Gus Saltonstall
The participatory budget process for the Upper West Side, which allows local residents to help designate where some city money is spent in the neighborhood, is entering its next phase. Following an initial idea submission period, 11 local projects have been placed on a ballot, to determine which might receive funding through the UWS’s City Councilmember Gale Brewer.
Residents can vote on the projects starting April 6; balloting closes April 14. In-person voting sites include Brewer’s district office at 563 Columbus Avenue, which is open to voters 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on the weekend. Votes can also be cast at these locations:
- St. Agnes Library, 444 Amsterdam Avenue (Monday–Saturday 12 pm–5 pm)
- Riverside Library, 127 Amsterdam Avenue (Monday–Saturday 12 pm–5 pm)
- Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center, 250 West 65th St. (Monday–Friday 11 am–4 pm)
Brewer will also host a one-day, pop-up voting event on April 7 on the south side of the American Museum of Natural History from noon to 3 p.m. The first 200 voters at that event will receive a voucher for free admission to the museum at a future date, including entrance to one ticketed show.
You can also vote online at pbnyc.org/vote. The ballot won’t go live online, though, until April 6.
In total, Brewer has $1 million allocated for projects chosen in the participatory budgeting balloting. Multiple projects will be selected, the exact number depending on the cost of those with the greatest support.
Here are the final 11 Upper West Side projects; voters will decide which become reality:
- Upgrade Broadway: Redesign of Intersection with Pedestrian Plaza Broadway btw. W. 70th–72nd St. $200,000. Assess increasing public space and pedestrian safety.
- Riverside Park: Outdoor Adult Fitness Area (location to be determined) $200,000. Add to existing funding to establish an accessible, outdoor adult gym to promote community health.
- Safety Improvements to Verdi Square Broadway btw. W. 72nd–72rd St. $200,000. Add improvements to Verdi Square, such as increased lighting.
- Expanding Our Green Canopy: Trees and Tree Guards Various locations throughout District 6. $150,000. Plant new street trees and install tree guards in various locations.
- Hydration Stations in Riverside Park Riverside Park, btw. W. 54th–96th St. $375,000. Provide water filling stations throughout Riverside Park.
- Bathroom Upgrades at the Delacorte Theater Delacorte Theater, Central Park at W. 80 St. $300,000. Renovate bathrooms at the Delacorte Theater, which serve as a primary restroom for park visitors.
- Technology Upgrade: The Mickey Mantle School (P811M) 466 West End Avenue btw. W. 82nd–83rd St. $100,000. Provide technology upgrade to support learning needs of students with an individualized education program.
- Upgrade Gym with Cooling System: William O’Shea School Complex (MS247, MS245 and MS44) 100 W. 77th St. between Columbus/Amsterdam. $250,000. Install air conditioning to climate control the gym, which is used by three schools, after school programs, and the community.
- Bathroom Upgrade: Lillian Weber School of the Arts (PS84) 32 W. 92nd St. between CPW/Columbus Ave. $300,000. Renovate two student bathrooms to improve existing structures and usability.
- Bathroom Upgrade: The Richard Rodgers School of The Arts & Technology (PS166) 132 W. 89th St. between Columbus/Amsterdam. $300,000. Renovate two student bathrooms to improve existing structures and usability.
- Electrical Upgrade: William Sherman (PS87) 160 W. 78th St. between Columbus/Amsterdam. $250,000. Upgrade electrical system so that the school can provide more technology opportunities and air conditioning for students.
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Redesign of Intersection with Pedestrian Plaza Is $200,000 and 2 school bathrooms renovation is $300,000?
Who comes up with these estimates?
Does the PS87 PTA still Raise 2M a year?
That was never true. The afterschool program runs thru the PTA and this gets reported as “revenue.” Get your facts straight.
Upgrade Broadway: Redesign of Intersection with Pedestrian Plaza Broadway btw. W. 70th–72nd St. $200,000. Assess increasing public space and pedestrian
Thisbis where the deliverista charging station is supposed to go. How woulw this project work with that one?
Safety Improvements to Verdi Square Broadway btw. W. 70th–72nd St. $200,000. Add improvements to Verdi Square, such as increased lighting.
I always thought Verdi Sq was hust the park north of thr subway (so 73rd – 72nd)
If this is for 79-72 I have the same question about the deliverista hub.
Will there be more specific details of each project shared later? As an average person, I read the 70-72 as making a nice pedestrian area with grass, etc and safer to cross street, but you all are saying this is a sly attempt to make the so-called “pedestrian plaza” really just for that delivery hub everyone has been talking about and sounds terrible?
I thought all the projects in this “contest” are supposed to be suggested by community members, not the government or businesses.
uwsmom, I’m reading this as them assessing whether they can close southbound Broadway at 72nd and turn the two blocks south of it into a giant pedestrian plaza – not a green space because that whole area has tons of utilities and MTA infrastructure beneath it. More like Times Square. And yes, I imagine it’s also an attempt to make the deliverista hub more practical.
Give it a month or two, and the e-bikes will be zooming through the “pedestrian plaza,” and the police will do nothing about it.
Do you really want a 24/7 hang out that will be a fire/evior hazard IE cheap ebikes batteries being charged right over the main 72nd station vent grills. Not mention the noise, trash etc.
Our tax $$$$ should not be going for this at all. Take a look at the swarms of unlisc ebikes outside of must restaurants on Bway any day.
They are uninsured and race away from any one they hit and/or accident they are in.
Want to save mom and pops order directly from the restaurant. not any app, call them. Door dash etc charges the restaurant between 35 and 40 precent of your meal to deliver it. They then build that into their food price.
If the restaurants build the 35-40% app charge into their food prices, why would you have to save them by ordering directly? I think the restaurants are pretty happy with the apps managing their delivery business…less headaches for them.
Very simple you call the restaurant directly and they send out their own delivery person. That way no Grubhub, Doordash etc is part of the deal, hence the restaurant doesn’t have to take any additional charge. If you order from a place this way regularly pay in cash. Using these apps you are exposing your CC and bank account info unnecessarily. Remember with the new inflation reduction act that Biden passed, fraud on cc can easily gotten back. debit cards no more, they have to investigate before u see a penny and that can take months. Long wait if they clean out your account because you entered your pin on an app.
No Robert, I don’t want this deliverista hub. Not sure why my post would make you think I did.
Robert is right! A coalition of block associations (led by the West 71st Street Block Association) and other groups have been advocating for over a year to be sure that a charging station is NOT placed at this small and complex intersection. And we fear that this proposed “re-design” will bring in more bike lanes, e-bikes and more danger to this already unsafe intersection. Please DO NOT vote for this project. Others on the list make more sense, such as increased lighting for Verdi Square which will contribute to increased safety. And yes, the delivery apps should be paying for a safe charging hub away from pedestrians with indoor shelter for delivery workers.
Yup. This should be part of the design requirements that the food apps — rather than taxpayers — should be forced to pay when taking away public land
That last sentence should say “if this is for 70-72…”
Why aren’t schools getting funded from the BOE directly?
Not that they are items that should not be addressed but why are school maintenance and infrastructure issues being addressed by a discretionary fund like this? This should be paid for via BOE.
Council funding is often used to supplement school and even PTA projects – redo a small playground (and partner with architecture students from Columbia for design), etc. Air conditioners does seem pedestrian but if this is a “small” project and down on the list of what the school needs from the district or city, then other sources of funding can be sought. Takes a village, so to speak, even to support public schools. Or public parks, or semi-public / private partnership supported community initiatives- wait that’s the whole list. It’s all our money, sometimes leveraged one way or another by public or private concerns.
Prior to 2009, DOT had planned safety improvements to the confusing 70-72nd Street intersection.
There were some changes – and then around the same time, the new building and Trader Joe’s arrived which really transformed the area.
More people, TJ. shoppers getting taxis or Uber, need for loading for TJ and Duane Reade. The M5 bus stop was moved. Etc.
Beyond belief that there would be thought to “increase public space” “pedestrian plaza”. Nor should it be for delivery workers.
No one should be sitting around or hanging out.
It is essential subway access – that is the purpose.
“No one should be sitting around or hanging out” – yes it would be horrible if this area was used for New Yorkers instead of cross town traffic!
JLT is absolutely right. This new proposal may make things more dangerous. at this site. The West 71st Street Block Association, along with many other groups and other nearby block associations, is very concerned about the “bow-tie” intersection at 71st and Broadway. This area is already complex and dangerous, even being designated as a Senior Pedestrian Safety Zone. We oppose any e-bike charging station, charging locker (Popwheels), or any project that would bring more bikes and e-bikes into the already small and dangerous plaza. We are working with DOT and our elected officials to increase the safety at this crucial crosswalk and entrance to the subway. It should be safe for all, including elderly, frail and those with disabilities.
As usual, claims that bikes harm safety with no numbers backing them.
Let me guess- Ulrika rides a bicycle….
Ulrika,
Have you ever exited the subway onnthr southbside of 72nd St during the evening rush hour? It is very crowded. The point at the southern end where Broadway, Amsterdam and 71st St meet is quite narrow. Adding eBikes in this mix — even if they are the most cautious, rule following, nicest eBike riders in existence — simply creates more volume in an already congested area.
More to the point of this article, why would anyone be funding a redesign now when the plans for the eBike charging hub haven’t been solidified?
Should we rip out all the trees and flowers as well to make it more efficient for people to get to the doors of the station? Certainly wouldn’t want to have any green spaces—or benches around them—to sit and enjoy the natural world and take a break from the grind. 🙄 Yeesh
Person,
But there are already trees and seating across the street – 72-73rd.
That would remain and is not the subject of the proposal.
Re#4. Street trees are free under a city program.
https://www.nycgovparks.org/trees/street-tree-planting/request
It does not include tree guards. It would be great if this project funding was for people to request tree guards.
Maybe it could be amended to include tree guards, which I think are absolutely essential.
Pls note the 200K to redesign…. is ONY to ” Assess” for the 12th time NOT install anything
That will cost millions and be the 12th time that intersection had been fiddle with How about we go back to personal NOT gov responsibility. Don’t speed, signal when changing and most important Bikers should follow the rules of the road and stop wearing ear buds, Ped’s stop wearing ear bubs, look up from your gadget as u cross the street And ONLY cross on the green.
Sorry, Robert, but in this day and age, the idea that people should take personal responsibility for themselves and their actions is thought of as passe. Certainly not anyone in MY family should be expected to adhere to that kind of self governing. OTHER people should of course, though. Isn’t this the current state of thinking?
With complaint after complaint about all the issues with the Riverside Blvd area safety and associated redesign necessities in this rag and others, why is there not a single project propossed in that area?
I am fascinated that while this is called Upper West Side, not one project is listed for anything above West 96th Street….why is Riverside Park above 96th not included, and the beautiful baby trees installed by the Parks Dept. have been put into tree pits and left without any security from dog urine or feces. It seems that to save these new additions and to promote their growth and good health, providing tree guards when new trees are being put into sidewalks, guard rails should also be installed.
Thats because the local elceteds you keep putting back in office raise most of their funds between 59th and 96th. They just assume people will keep voting for them due to their party affiliation. Try something new, vote for someone else, when areas are competitive people can be held responsible. For example, the 24 precinct was allocated over 300K for anti-crime cameras back in Aug 2022. Fast forward to April 1, 2024, zero have been installed, when asked repeatably several of our elcetds officials have just said we will long into it again and again.
Recently under public pressure over the months one sent a letter
North of 96th Street is just chopped liver?
The Central Parks Consevatory says they are renovating those bathrooms.
https://www.centralparknyc.org/restoration/restoration-of-delacorte-public-restroom
Are there any of these projects for the UWS above 96th Street?
These projects were part of District 6’s Participatory Budgeting process. You’ll have to ask District 7’s Councilperson, Shaun Abreu, what projects were chosen for above 96th. As far as I know, there has been no outreach for Participatory Budgeting in the district.
Email: district7@council.nyc.gov
646-582-1408
Two of these seem to basically funding the deliverista charging station no one wants.
Two others seem to be funding school construction that somehow aren’t done in our massive $100B city budget that spends more per child than basically any public school system in the country.
So nobody above 96th Street needs water when they are walking, biking, or jogging in Riverside Park? They also pay taxes, by the way.
These projects were part of District 6’s Participatory Budgeting process (and District 6 only runs up to 96th street). You’ll have to ask District 7’s Councilperson, Shaun Abreu, what projects were chosen for above 96th.
Number 6 Bathroom upgrades to the Delacorte Theater seems to already be taken care of by the Central Park Conservatory.
https://www.centralparknyc.org/restoration/restoration-of-delacorte-public-restroom
Hi all,
A lot of these school projects can get funding from many NYC foundations. The American Heart Association provides grant funding for teaching gardens, safe places to play and others. The BOE should be paying but there are dollars out there to supplement the BOE funds. Other foundations can help with capital costs too for our schools.
Gail Brewers office should know this as well as the community board… but not surprised.
Increase grass, trees, plantings, lighting, cameras. Upgrades in schools should not be included in this as they are separately budgeted and only affect a small portion of residents.
Need some projects north of 96th Street.
I would think that bathroom upgrades at the Delacorte Theater would be under the auspices of the Central Park Conservancy.
They are.
https://www.centralparknyc.org/restoration/restoration-of-delacorte-public-restroom
I wish we would spend the money on placing more trash bins on high trash corners. I know this is not a capital improvement, but it would make the biggest difference of any project on the overall quality of life on the UWS. The UWS was far cleaner and nicer 10 years ago.
I was not able to find any information on the derivation of the proposal to assess 70-72nd?
“Upgrade Broadway: Redesign of Intersection with Pedestrian Plaza Broadway btw. W. 70th–72nd St. $200,000. Assess increasing public space and pedestrian safety.
Could WSR reach out to Council Member Brewer on the details of the proposal & what organization proposed it?
And curious if the proposal also envisions bringing back the M5 bus stop to Broadway and reinstate co-location with the M104?
Such a lost opportunity to have the two beautiful train stations and Verdi square surrounded by busy traffic when they could be a haven for pedestrians and bikes. I’ll be voting for improvements to the square.
Surprised that there are no NYCHA projects here?
There is ongoing need for residents of NYCHA housing.
Also it is odd that there are multiple school projects – my guess is that this will be split voting as parents will vote for their children’s school.
I think the special ed school Mickey Mantle is in serious need but kids come from various places – not just West Side – so their parents can’t vote right?
Why aren’t electric car or bike charging areas on the ballot?