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Local schools and libraries to get additional funding via Participatory Budgeting

April 21, 2017 Staff Report

Forest Hills will see three community improvement projects funded through the participatory budgeting process this year, announced Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz.

This year residents of the district cast ballots during the week-long participatory budgeting process to decide how to spend $1 million, choosing to fund three projects focused on school and library upgrades.

The most popular project funded through Participatory Budgeting was upgrades to technology at the local schools. Residents cast 1,617 votes in favor of upgrading technology at PS 139, PS 220, PS 206, PS 99, PS 175, PS 196, JHS 157, JHS 190, and Forest Hills High School, which will cost $315,000.

Residents also voted to spend $200,000 on upgrading technology at local libraries. Throughout the voting process 1,322 people cast their ballots to improve technology at all of the Queens Library branches in District 29, including Rego Park Library, North Forest Park Library, Forest Hills Library, and Richmond Hill Library.

The final project funded through the process was an upgrade to bathroom facilities at local schools. Koslowitz will allocate $400,000 to renovate select bathrooms at PS 196, PS 220, PS 99, PS 206, PS 174, and PS 144.

The projects will all be funded through the city budget, which will be passed in June, and then will enter the planning and design phases before construction can begin.

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