Here's How The Upper West Side Is Spending $1.125M

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Upper West Siders have voted on how to allocate $1,125,000 in city funding in their districts, and the results are in.

In Councilmember Gale Brewer's district, which includes Hell's Kitchen, part of Midtown, Central Park, and most of the Upper West Side, a total of $1,125,000 was allocated toward public libraries, first responders, a public bathroom and a CUNY school.

For the uninitiated, Participatory Budgeting is an annual democratic process for New Yorkers to vote on how to allocate up to $1,000,000 in their districts, with a focus on capital projects that would improve schools, parks, libraries and other public spaces

Three libraries, including St. Agnes, Riverside, and Lincoln Center Performing Arts Libraries, will receive $250,000 for tech-related upgrades.

The public bathroom at Riverside Park will recieve $300,000 for improvements and maintenance.

The biggest-ticket item was $400,000 for the FDNY Ladder 25, on West 77th Street, between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway. The capital funds will go toward a new rooftop, new heating, ventilation, and AC units.

CUNY's John Jay College of Criminal Justice will recieve $175,000 for new video boards at the athletic facility to help students and visitors navigate the campus.

The winning projects will be included in the City’s budget in June 2026 for the 2027 fiscal year.

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