Ninth District Councilmember Rex Richardson this week announced three winning projects for the 2016 Empower Uptown Participatory Budgeting (PB) process.
Since September 2015, over 165 residents were engaged during the idea-collection phase through six public assemblies and several outreach events to discuss local priorities and ideas for improvement projects in District 9. During the months of January through March 2016, 51 community volunteers, including 25 youth volunteers, worked collaboratively with city officials to vet the feasibility and cost of those 222 project ideas. They ultimately developed nine proposals for the PB ballot.
During the extended week of May 7—May 14, a total of 1,382 residents aged 14 and older voted on how to spend $250,000 of District 9 discretionary infrastructure funds. While only $250,000 was originally allocated to PB this cycle, the amount of discretionary funds will be increased to $300,000 in order to implement the top three winning projects voted on by residents, according to Richardson’s office.
The winning projects of the second cycle of PB include:
• A sustainable approach for stormwater runoff (702 votes)— This pilot project will work to manage stormwater runoff on streets through curb cutouts, rain gardens and tree swales. The project will also consist of installing educational signs about improved water quality and conservation.
• DeForest Park restroom beautification (679 votes)— This project will install interior upgrades at the DeForest Park restrooms, including new finishes and fixtures.
• Fitness zones at Ramona and DeForest parks (648 votes)— This project will allow for the installation of three to five outdoor exercise machines each at two parks to increase access to healthy lifestyles for residents of all ages.
“Participatory budgeting in the 9th District has continued to engage our residents and fostered an even stronger sense of civic engagement,” Richardson said. “PB has allowed not only residents, but our city departments, to think innovatively of how we can improve our neighborhoods.”
For more information, visit pblongbeach.org .
