GREENSBORO, N.C. -- People in Greensboro voted to fund 26 park and transportation projects during Greensboro's Participatory Budgeting Cycle from October 23 to November 18.
Participatory Budgeting allows people in Greensboro 14 and older to decide how to spend up to $100,000 per City Council district. This year, there were 388 ideas for projects.
The 26 winning projects include new bus shelters, solar personal device charging stations, revamped playgrounds and greenways, and a new turn lane and crosswalk.
This year 1,199 people voted. Here are the projects that received the most votes in each district:
District 1
1. Sidewalk on Van Wert Street: Continuation of sidewalk on Van Wert to create a safe walking area for children on their way to Peck Elementary school.
Cost: $10,000
2. Glenwood bus shelter: Install shelter at existing bus stop at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Grove Street.
Cost: $11,600
3. New playground equipment at Apache Street Park: Replace 20-year-old equipment.
Cost: $35,000
4. Improve children’s play area at Westbury Park.
Cost: $10,000.
5. Adult exercise equipment at Westbury Park: New equipment will be added with input from residents.
Cost: $30,000
Total for all projects: $96,600
District 2
1. Improvements to East Washington Street: Replace damaged sidewalk and add trash and recycling receptacles.
Cost: $14,850
2. Increase seating at Windsor Recreation Center basketball courts.
Cost: $7,000
3. Add solar charging station at Peeler Recreation Center.
Cost: $20,000
4. Improvements to Textile Drive Park: Improve park and add equipment with public input and in compliance with floodplain requirements for the site.
Cost: $33,100
5. Improve playground at Arlington Park: Add benches, a swing, handicapped accessibility, and 16 new trees.
Cost: $22,000
Total for all projects: $96,950
District 3:
1. Beautify greenway near Wesley Long Hospital: Add a natural shrub buffer along the road to lessen the impact of vehicle noise, exhaust, and visual pollution for both hospital and greenway users.
Cost: $15,000
2. Install new water fountain and bench on Lake Daniel Greenway to replace damaged equipment.
Cost: $9,000
3. Add seven bike racks at various locations along Battleground Avenue, from Cornwallis Drive to Mill Street.
Cost: $10,000
4. Install solar charging station at the J. Douglas Galyon Depot that will allow people to recharge personal devices while on the go.
Cost: $20,000
5. Install solar charging station near Central Library. Location is subject to change based on final design and right-of-way determination.
Cost: $20,000
6. Install three bike racks at various downtown locations along Battleground Avenue, from Hill Street to Greene Street.
Cost: $5,000
7. Install solar charging station in Country Park.
Cost: $20,000
Total for all projects: $99,000
District 4
1. Add crosswalk and signals at the intersection of Spring Garden Street and Elam Avenue to increase pedestrian safety.
Cost: $14,900
2. Add handicapped accessible playground equipment at Lindley Park, wheelchair accessible resurfacing, and additional pathways. Final design to include community input.
Cost: $37,400
3. Install crosswalk and signals at the intersection of Muirs Chapel Road and Market Street to increase pedestrian safety.
Cost: $14,470
4. New bus shelter at Friendly Center: This project is subject to approval from adjacent property owner.
Cost: $13,310
5. Upgrade to Greenway Park in Sunset Hills.
Cost: $19,920*
Total for all projects: $100,000
* This project will be partially funded. It was projected to cost $70,840, which would exceed the $100,000 per district spending limit.
District 5
1. Turn lane at Griffin Park: This project will allow traffic to flow more freely and make the intersection safer for people going to the recreation center.
Cost: $5,500
2. Update fitness trail at Hester Park with more outdoor exercise equipment.
Cost: $68,800
3. Upgrade to playground equipment at Twin Lakes.
Cost: $25,700**
Total for all projects: $100,000
** This project will be partialy funded. The proposed Twin Lakes playground improvement project was estimated to cost $50,200, which would exceed the $100,000 per district spending limit.
The winning projects will be submitted to City Manager Jim Westmoreland for inclusion in the fiscal year 2018-19 budget. City Council will consider the budget next spring.