Speaker Julie Menin, New York City Council Members Announce Results of FY 2027 Participatory Budgeting

NEW YORK, NY - Today, Speaker Julie Menin and the New York City Council announced the winning proposals for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 cycle of Participatory Budgeting (PB). During the voting period, which took place from April 11 through April 19, nearly 130,000 New Yorkers voted on how to allocate almost $25 million in capital funding for local improvements to schools, parks, libraries, and other public spaces across 22 Council Districts in New York City. This year marks the 15th cycle of PB by the City Council since it launched in 2011, garnering the most votes by New Yorkers since its inception.

"Participatory Budgeting gives New Yorkers the opportunity to directly participate in shaping and deciding which projects in their district get funded," said Speaker Julie Menin. "This process is about civic engagement and empowers community members of all ages to get involved in the long-term success of their local communities. The best ideas for our neighborhoods come from the people who live in them, and this year, over 128,000 New Yorkers proved exactly that."

Through Participatory Budgeting, New Yorkers voted online or submitted paper ballots at more than 100 in-person voting sites throughout 22 Council Districts. Ballots were made available in English and 11 additional languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Bangla, French, Haitian-Creole, Arabic, Punjabi, Russian, Polish, and Yiddish. Voting in Participatory Budgeting is open to all residents of participating districts who are 11 years of age and older.

Participatory Budgeting proposals are created by New Yorkers who attend neighborhood assemblies and budget delegate meetings throughout the fall and winter. Proposals are typically for capital budget projects, which are significant neighborhood infrastructure investments. They were crafted and refined in partnership with relevant city agencies and facilitated by participating Council Members' offices.

For the FY 2027 cycle, 22 Council Members organized Participatory Budgeting in their districts. Below are the winning projects for each district:

District 1 - Council Member Christopher Marte

District 2 - Council Member Harvey Epstein*

*Council Member Epstein funded expense projects through PB this cycle

District 3 - Council Member Carl Wilson

District 5 - Speaker Julie Menin

District 6 - Council Member Gale A. Brewer

District 7 - Majority Leader Shaun Abreu

District 8 - Deputy Whip Elsie Encarnacion

District 12 - Council Member Kevin C. Riley

District 14 - Council Member Pierina Sanchez

District 16 - Council Member Althea Stevens

District 18 - Council Member Amanda Farias

District 22 - Council Member Tiffany Caban

District 25 - Council Member Shekar Krishnan

District 26 - Council Member Julie Won

District 27 - Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams

District 29 - Council Member Lynn Schulman

District 34 - Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez

District 35 - Council Member Crystal Hudson

District 37 - Council Member Sandy Nurse

District 39 - Council Member Shahana Hanif

District 40 - Council Member Rita Joseph

District 45 - Council Member Farah N. Louis

To read more about the Council's Participatory Budgeting initiative, visit council.nyc.gov/PB.

"Participatory Budgeting continues to show what is possible when residents are given a direct role in shaping investments within their own communities. This year, thousands of residents across District 27 participated in the process, helping identify and prioritize projects connected to schools, libraries, public spaces, and neighborhood infrastructure," said Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams. "That level of engagement reflects how seriously communities take the opportunity to directly influence where public resources are going and what improvements they want to see in their neighborhoods. Beyond the projects themselves, Participatory Budgeting creates a more accessible and community-driven approach to civic engagement. It gives residents, including many young people and first-time participants, a direct connection to local government and the budget process while reinforcing that their voices, experiences, and priorities should help shape public investment decisions. I'm grateful to every resident, volunteer, budget delegate, community partner, and staff member who contributed to this year's cycle and helped move these projects forward for our district."

"The people have spoken again this year, and they chose investments in our public spaces that every neighbor can enjoy. Turnout was great, and I want to thank everyone who participated," said Majority Leader Shaun Abreu. "My very first job was at Morningside Heights Library, so seeing technology upgrades come in first place is an especially meaningful reminder about how important libraries are to our community. Pair that with the paving projects that will improve accessibility and playability in our parks, and we got a winning set of projects I'm excited to fund. Be on the lookout for when idea collection starts up again this fall for the next cycle!"

"What makes Participatory Budgeting special is not the votes alone, it is the voices behind them. Earning the 2nd most online votes in Participatory Budgeting is proof that people, especially young people, are ready and willing to shape the future when given the chance," said Deputy Whip Elsie Encarnacion. "From students as young as 11 stepping into civic life for the first time to longtime residents, this process proved that when people are given a real seat at the table, they show up. Every vote cast was a reminder that our communities deserve a direct say in how public dollars are spent. To every voter in District 8: thank you for making your voice part of the future of our schools and our district."

"Participatory budgeting in City Council District 12 continues to show the power of community voice in action," said Council Member Kevin C. Riley. "Over the years, participation in our district has drastically increased, and that growth has been led and championed by our young people. Their energy, ideas, and commitment to shaping their neighborhoods are driving a more engaged, inclusive, and empowered future for our community. This year's winning projects including the Exercise Room Upgrade for The Academy for Scholarship and Entrepreneurship, the pavement of basketball courts and installation of new backboards at Stars and Stripes Playground, and critical street repaving improvements represent a strong balance of ideas and priorities from our youngest residents to our elder constituents. Seeing our community come together in this way gives me so much hope for the future of the Bronx."

"We are proud that almost 2,000 people in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst participated in our fourth annual Participatory Budgeting cycle," said Council Member Shekar Krishnan. "Our winning projects invested in our communities' schools and our health care. This year, we funded needed investments in Gotham Health Optometry equipment, a bathroom renovation for PS 152, smart board upgrades for PS 398, renovating the auditorium for IS 230, and a sensory room for IS 230. I'm proud to champion these projections and participate in a program that ensures the people are heard in the budget process."

"Participatory Budgeting is one of the clearest ways we can put local democracy into practice," said Council Member Christopher Marte. "Our office sets aside $1 million from our budget specifically so that residents can have a direct say in how public dollars are invested in their own neighborhoods. Every year, District 1 neighbors show up, share their ideas, and vote on the projects they want to see funded. The winning projects reflect the real priorities of our community, from stronger schools to safer, more accessible public spaces, and I'm grateful to everyone who helped make this year's cycle a success."

"Our budget reflects our values, and Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process that gives everyone a real say in how we spend public dollars," said Council Member Harvey Epstein. "This year, my office was proud to pilot a new approach: funding nonprofit-led programs to provide services for our community. With this new approach, we will be funding initiatives for four incredible organizations: EV Loves NYC, Art Beyond Sight, the LOVE Mentoring Program, and NYC H2O. These organizations will be able to better serve our neighborhoods by providing job training and mentorship, accessibility services, ecology-focused programming, and arts and culture resources. Participatory budgeting is an opportunity to invest in community-driven initiatives that serve residents across all socioeconomic backgrounds and reflect the true diversity of our neighborhoods."

"I am so proud to share these winning projects that were chosen by and for the community," said Council Member Carl Wilson. "Participatory Budgeting encourages New Yorkers to get involved in the political process and support projects they see most beneficial to their neighborhoods. We couldn't do it year after year without the amazing volunteers who share their time and ideas with us, and we are so excited to fund these projects going into FY27!"

"For the fifth year in a row, community members across the Northwest Bronx have directly determined how to spend $1 million in tax-payer funds in our neighborhood-with a new all-time high voting turnout of nearly 2,000 participants," said Council Member Pierina Sanchez. "This year, District 14 voted to fund new technology for PS 33 students and internal water service for Townsend Community Garden. These investments will provide new tablets and laptops for our youth to enrich their educational experience, while also building an efficient irrigation system to enhance and sustain one of our district's green spaces. I thank Speaker Menin for continuing to expand opportunities to participate in government decision-making. And, of course, I thank every community member who voted and made their voice heard on the changes they want to see in District 14."

"Participatory Budgeting in District 16 is another way that we nurture civic engagement with our youth. Seeing year after year, not only the families in our community, but specifically the youth become more familiar with the PBNYC process is impactful because it primes them for voting environments," said Council Member Althea Stevens. "In New York City there are districts, including ours, with low voter turnout which is why the exercise of Vote Week is a part of a larger goal: filling in the voting gap. Our district is continuing to create spaces for our young people to be engaged in initiatives that are directly affecting our neighborhoods. I am excited to share this year's winners in District 16 are located in the Morrisania and Claremont sections of the Bronx. This announcement reflects the outcome of when community - especially young people - are involved in shaping of the future of our neighborhoods."

"District 18 residents once again reinforced the importance of having a voice in how public dollars are invested," said Council Member Amanda Farías. "This year, nearly 7,000 community members participated in the Participatory Budgeting process and selected the HVAC System Installation at Stevenson Campus as the winning project. I'm thrilled to see this critical infrastructure investment advance because upgrading the campus' HVAC system will support healthier classrooms, improved air quality, and a more functional and reliable space not only for students and educators, but also for the community groups, programs, and local organizations that utilize the campus throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote, engage, and play a role in determining this year's community priorities."

"I'm thrilled that our community came together in record numbers to vote to upgrade our schools, make our streets safer, and fund community-based organizations who support our community," said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. "Thank you to the thousands of people across District 22 who made their voices heard and chose to invest in our community."

"In this year's Participatory Budgeting Cycle, nearly 10,000 neighbors came together to shape the future of our district," said Council Member Julie Won. "Our community voted across 10 projects focused on fire safety, community upgrades, and school technology, shaping the community's priorities. In the upcoming FY 27 budget, our neighborhood high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools will get upgraded technology. Thank you to my team, our budget delegates, community partners, volunteers, and most importantly, the community who participated in this powerful, local tool of civic engagement. These projects will be fully funded, delivering real improvements that our neighbors chose for themselves."

"Participatory Budgeting (PB) is an opportunity for community members across District 29 to advocate for the changes they want to see in their community," said Council Member Lynn Schulman. "From the idea collection phase to vote week in April, District 29 voted in record numbers during PB, doubling last year's turnout. As a result, the funding from this year's cycle will be used to meet capital needs for schools in the district."

"District 34 continues to prove what's possible when communities are truly engaged in local democracy," said Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez. "Leading once again in Participatory Budgeting votes reflects the incredible civic participation of our neighbors across the district. Residents here, especially our youngest, are deeply invested in shaping their communities, and every year we see more people stepping up, organizing, and making their voices heard."

"Through Participatory Budgeting, every New Yorker age eleven and older can play an active role in deciding how $1 million in public funds support projects that improve our neighborhoods," said Council Member Crystal Hudson. "From start to finish, it's a hands-on way to connect with neighbors, strengthen civic engagement, and put real decision-making power in the hands of the people who know their communities best. Thank you to all who contributed this year, your participation is shaping a brighter future for everyone."

"Participatory Budgeting proves time and again that when we give people the tools to shape their own communities, they take them up," said Council Member Sandy Nurse. "I am incredibly proud that District 37 came in second place across the entire city this cycle, with 12,030 votes, nearly doubling our votes from last year. When I first came into office, this district had no Participatory Budgeting engagement whatsoever, and to see where we are now is a testament to the power of what our communities can accomplish together."

"Participatory Budgeting is democracy at the neighborhood level. It gives everyday New Yorkers-regardless of age, language, or immigration status-a real voice in how public dollars are spent," said Council Member Shahana Hanif. "Thanks to our school partnerships and incredible community volunteers, we're proud to have surpassed 10,000 votes this year. Neighbors supported projects including accessible pathways in Prospect Park, school and library repairs, food distribution, and community programming. At a time when trust in government is declining, I'm proud our community continues to deepen civic engagement through this process."

"Participatory Budgeting is democracy in action. It gives residents a direct voice in shaping the future of their communities and ensures that investments reflect the real needs of the people we serve," said Council Member Rita Joseph. "This year, I am proud to support projects that will make a lasting impact from bringing air conditioning to MS 61 so our students can learn in safe and comfortable environments, to funding ultrasound technology with cardiac function support at Kings County Hospital so families have access to stronger healthcare resources, and creating ADA-accessible pathways at the Lincoln Road Community Garden so every resident can enjoy and access this important community space. These projects are about equity, dignity, and building healthier, stronger communities for everyone."

"I am proud to once again champion Participatory Budgeting in District 45 and help deliver critical investments that reflect the priorities of our community," said Council Member Farah N. Louis. "This year's winning projects will bring important educational enhancements to schools including P.S. 251 and P.S. 109, while also advancing critical infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements across our district," said Council Member Farah N. Louis. "These community-driven investments strengthen our schools, improve public spaces, and ensure residents have a direct voice in shaping the future of our neighborhoods. I remain committed to continuing investments that create safer, stronger, and more equitable communities for every family in Central Brooklyn."

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