Proposed 39th Ward participatory budget items would include infrastructure improvements to parks, schools, streets, viaducts; Alderman Nugent to hold community vote Jan. 31 – Feb. 11
by BRIAN NADIG
Community identifiers for the Edgebrook area and protected bike lanes on Bryn Mawr Avenue between Kostner Avenue and Kedzie Avenue are among the proposed infrastructure improvements on the 39th Ward participatory budget ballot.
A community vote will take place from Monday, Jan. 31, to Friday, Feb. 11, and the projects that receive the most votes, which add up to $500,000, will be funded. Ward residents age 14 and older will be able to vote online starting Jan. 31 at https://www.participatepbchicago.org/processes/PB39 or in person at the 39th Ward office at 4200 W. Lawrence Ave.
This will be the third participatory budget vote which Alderman Samantha Nugent (39th) has held since taking office in 2019. The funds are part of the annual $1.5 million in discretionary funds which each ward receives for side-street resurfacing and other improvements.
A committee of volunteers reviews the proposals which are submitted by ward residents and businesses, and the following have been selected for the ballot:
Edgebrook/South Edgebrook community identifiers ($30,000), Lawrence Avenue landscape improvements in Mayfair ($50,000), beautification of train viaducts at Elston and Kimberly avenues and Foster and Kolmar avenues ($250,000), Bryn Mawr beatification ($50,000).
Also, bike lanes and traffic calming on Bryn Mawr ($400,000), conversion of sidewalks on Forest Glen Avenue near Forest Glen Woods to multi-use path ($100,000), trail connection between Gompers Park and Eugene Field Park ($70,000), Solomon School playground improvements ($100,000), renovation of Peterson School outdoor community space ($150,000).
Also, tennis court rehab at Hollywood Park ($30,000) and Eugene Filed Park ($35,000), installation of outdoor fitness equipment at Eugene Field Park ($100,000), roof repair at North Park Village Nature Center equipment shed ($20,000) and nature play space at Little Gompers Park ($50,000).
Most aldermen do not hold participatory budget votes.
