Participatory budgeting draws hundreds in district

After work on April 15, Ed Geddes stopped by the Amalgamated Houses’ Vladeck Hall to inspect the projects eligible for part of $1 million set aside in participatory budgeting this year.

Out of 11 projects described on three-sided boards lined up in the hall, many of them were for school, playground or library improvements.

“For the schools and kids — there’s not enough money to take care of that, ever,” said Mr. Geddes, a cable TV technician.

Pausing before a board advertising bus countdown clocks, Mr. Geddes, a bus rider himself, voiced a bit of confusion.

“I don’t know what this pertains to,” he said. “More buses on the route? Or just the shelters?”

In fact, the project was to establish countdown clocks at stops for the Bx1, 10, 16, 26 and 34 lines so commuters could see how long they have to wait until the next bus arrives.

Moving on, Mr. Geddes, 65, stopped in front of a project to provide 72 laptops at the Spuyten Duyvil School (P.S. 24). He seemed skeptical.

“I don’t know if the technology helps the kids,” he remarked. “The Internet, that’s great, but... I learned from a teacher teaching.”

While several other people who live in Councilman Andrew Cohen’s northwest Bronx came and went in Vladeck Hall, Mr. Geddes sat down to fill out his ballot, which allowed residents to pick five total projects. In the end, his choices included a replacement for the leaking roof at Van Cortlandt Library (costing $300,000), new windows at Mosholu Library (also $300,000) and a cafeteria upgrade at P.S. 7 Kingsbridge ($200,000).

“I had a good cafeteria in high school,” Mr. Geddes reflected. “That was important.”

Enabling New Yorkers to directly choose where to send city funds is a first for the northwest Bronx. Councilman Andrew Cohen was one of 24 city lawmakers to bring participatory budgeting to his district this year.

While stopping by the ballot at 74 Van Cortlandt Park South, he said the process, which started with residents suggesting ideas at assemblies last fall, raised priorities that might not otherwise receive consideration.