By DAVID CRUZ

Participatory budgeting, a drawn out process that seeks input from residents on how $1 million in taxpayer money should be allocated, has reached its zenith—your vote.

After nine months of residents hashing out ideas, organizers are pushing residents as young as 16 to stop by familiar community centers and libraries beginning April 12 to vote on a long-lasting project within a Council District.

In this case, it’s Councilman Andrew Cohen’s 11^th District in the north and northwest Bronx that covers Norwood, Van Cortlandt Village, Riverdale, Fieldston, Woodlawn and Wakefield. Bronx Councilman Ritchie Torres and Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito have scheduled their own PB process. The process has roots in Brazil, where local governments encouraged waffling civic groups to get involved.

The $1 million ranks to 20 percent of a Council Member’s capital budgeting, monies that last for five years and are earmarked for construction projects that cost more than $35,000. It’s far removed from the regular decision-making powers of a Council Member, who often chooses a project on their own accord.

A total of eleven projects were ultimately chosen, each representing different portions of Cohen’s district. Some final proposals include park renovations, school upgrades and bus countdown clocks throughout District 11 (A full list of projects can be found here).

For months, Cohen given some of the legislative reins to residents who took part in participatory budgeting sessions, hoping a more hands-on approach leads the a purer democratic process. Some parameters that went into the process included ensuring the winning project would be lasting.

But the process has also been one of true participatory investment. Nine months were required of residents to draft ideas and ultimately paperwork to Cohen’s office, off putting to low-income residents whose pressing priorities are not evening meetings.

As expected, the project with the most popular votes will be picked with opportunities to vote on a project lasting for seven days beginning April 12. That project will be placed in this year’s capital budget. Sites, times, and locations include:

April 12

•             Riverdale Y, 5625 Arlington Ave. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

April 13

•             Mosholu Public Library, 285 E. 205^th St. 4 to 7 p.m.

 

April 14

•             Riverdale Public Library, 5540 Mosholu Ave. from 4 to 7 p.m.
•             Rambling House, 4292 Katonah Ave., 7 to 9:30 p.m.

 

April 15

•             Spuyten Duyvil Public Library, 650 W. 235^th St. from 4 to 7 p.m.
•             Amalgalmated Housing (Vladeck Hall), 74 Van Cortlandt Park South from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

 

April 16

•             Van Cortlandt Public Library, 3874 Sedgwick Ave., 3 to 6 p.m.

 

April 17

•             Woodlawn Public Library, 4355 Katonah Ave. from 2 to 5 p.m.

 

April 18

•             Mosholu Montefiore Community Center 3450 DeKalb Ave. from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

 

Proper identification is required to take part in the voting process. Organizers are flexible in acceptable ID, with tax forms, student IDs and medical bills deemed appropriate.