Upper East Siders to Vote on $1M Neighborhood Upgrades

Participatory budgeting returns for the fifth cycle, with 13 project options on the ballot.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:08pm

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A group of people gathered around a large map of the Upper East Side, the scene bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the community engagement of the participatory budgeting process.Residents of the Upper East Side gather to discuss and vote on how to allocate $1 million in neighborhood improvements through the city's participatory budgeting process.NYC Today

New York City's annual Participatory Budgeting process is back, which means it's time for Upper East Siders to cast their votes on how to allocate $1,000,000 in the neighborhood. Constituents aged 11 and up can vote in person or online from April 11-19 on 13 different project options, including new tree guards, school bathroom upgrades, and purchasing a firefighting robot.

Why it matters

Participatory budgeting gives local residents a direct say in how public funds are spent, leading to more responsive and community-driven improvements. This is the Upper East Side's fifth cycle of the program, which has become an important part of the civic process in 22 of New York City's 51 council districts.

The details

The 13 project options on this year's ballot for District 5, which includes the Upper East Side, Roosevelt Island, and Midtown East, range from infrastructure upgrades to public safety enhancements. Residents can vote for their top choices, and the winning projects will be included in the city's budget in June 2026.

  • Voting kicks off on Saturday, April 11, and runs through April 19.
  • The winning projects will be included in the City's budget in June 2026.

The players

Julie Menin

The Councilmember for District 5, which includes the Upper East Side, Roosevelt Island, and Midtown East.

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What they’re saying

“Participatory Budgeting Vote Week is proof that the best ideas for our neighborhoods come from the people who live in them.”

— Julie Menin, Councilmember

“When New Yorkers have a direct say in how public dollars are spent, we get a stronger, more responsive city. I encourage everyone in a participating district, including District 5, to cast their votes this week.”

— Julie Menin, Councilmember

What’s next

The winning projects will be included in the City's budget in June 2026.

The takeaway

Participatory budgeting empowers local residents to directly shape the future of their neighborhoods, leading to more community-driven improvements. As the Upper East Side's fifth cycle of the program, this year's vote reflects the growing importance of civic engagement in New York City.