Sixth ward residents will be voting on how to spend $100,000 in their neighborhoods from April 1 to April 8, as part of the ward’s Participatory Budgeting initiative.
Community members created proposals for 12 potential projects in their neighborhoods – from landscaping improvements to creating bike lanes and installing security cameras. This week, ward residents will have eight days to weigh in on which idea they like best.
Participatory budgeting is a way for residents to get more involved in the political decision-making of their neighborhoods, said Felicia Henderson, neighborhood improvement specialist for the 6th Ward.
On Saturday, ward leaders held an expo where residents could freely walk through the informational displays of the proposals and ask questions about the various ideas.
“It’s a transparent process,” said Henderson, who attended the expo. “It’s an excellent idea from Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia and Michelle Witthaus (co-founder of the Participatory Budgeting St. Louis group.)”
In St. Louis City, each ward receives an annual budget for ward improvements, often including sidewalk, street, lighting, and park enhancements. Usually the alderperson decides what projects get funded throughout the ward each year. Through participatory budgeting, residents can share ideas on how they think the money should be spent, they create projects, then the entire ward gets to vote on which projects get funded for the year, Witthaus said.
In her campaign for alderwoman last year, Witthaus advocated for the participatory budgeting idea. Although Witthaus was defeated by Ingrassia, the two teamed together to push forward the idea.
Tower Grove East resident Elizabeth Calvin said she’s enjoyed going to the brainstorming sessions these past few months.
“It helps to get to see how things happen,” Calvin said. “I think this is a good process because it involves the community in determining how to use the $100,000 that we have for the ward.”
Here is a brief summary of the 12 proposed projects. (Also see the attached sample ballot for the full description.)
– 10-20 new trash cans along streets with bus routes and major intersections, with optional dog waste bad dispensers. Cost: $15,000
– New planter and landscaping in cul-de-sacs that border the west side of Jefferson Ave. Cost: $60,000
– Signs for the various neighborhoods throughout the ward. Cost: $40,000
– New park benches and fitness stations in Eads Park. Cost: $20,000
– Restroom renovations at Fox Park. Cost $30,000
– Drinking fountain and repairs for Buder Park. Cost: $15,000
– 10 miles of bike lanes throughout the ward. Cost: $30,000
– Pedestrian light at Jefferson & Park. Cost: $25,000
– New median at Jefferson & Park Cost: $80,000
– Security cameras throughout ward. Cost $30,000
– 10 bike racks in four neighborhood parks. Cost: $17,000
– Street lighting improvements throughout ward. Cost: $50,000
– Commissioned study to calm traffic on Compton Avenue. Cost: $50,000
Voting will be held at these locations.
Tuesday, April 1st
8-11 a.m. @ Diner’s Delight, 1504 Compton Ave.
5-8 p.m. @ Van Gohz’s, 3200 Shenandoah Ave.
Wednesday, April 2nd
8-11 a.m. @ Save A Lot, 3427 S. Jefferson Ave.
5-8 p.m. @ Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust
Thursday, April 3rd
4:30-7:30 p.m. @ Field’s Foods, 1500 Lafayette Ave.
Friday, April 4th
5-8 p.m. @ Purple Martin, 2800 Shenandoah Ave.
Saturday, April 5th
9 a.m-noon @ Blast Fitness, 1601 S. Jefferson Ave.
5-7 p.m. @ Clinton Peabody, 1401 LaSalle Ave.
Sunday, April 6th
noon-3 p.m. @ Washeteria, 2901 Shenandoah Ave.
Monday, April 7th
Lafayette Town Apartments, 1410 Ohio Ave.
Tuesday, April 8th
6 a.m.-7 p.m. @ Heritage House Apartments, 2800 Olive Blvd.
7 p.m. Lafayette Square Neighborhood Meeting
7:30 p.m. Compton Hill Neighborhood Meeting
For more information, visit www.pbstl.com.