City of Cambridge Participatory Budgeting

Above: Youth Delegates on the Parks, Recreation & Education committee use maps and other tools to help assess proposals

Last week, Budget Delegates submitted 36 proposals for final vetting and cost estimates by City staff.  The following list shows the proposals organized by Budget Delegate Committee.  

Please note that not all of these proposals will make it to the ballot in December - some will not be deemed feasible by City staff, while others won't make the final cut by Budget Delegates since each committee can put only 6 proposals on the ballot. Nevertheless, the ballot promises to have interesting and important choices for Cantabrigians.  

Culture & Community Facilities Committee

1. Interactive technology for the Main Branch Library (interactive digital screen for Children's Room, iPad lending kiosk, and 16 iPads)
2. Colorful chairs in Joan Lorentz Park 
3. Free public Wifi in three parks
4. Soofa benches throughout Cambridge (10 more)
5. Digitals sign at City Hall in multiple languages
6. Little free libraries/book exchanges (one in each neighborhood)
7. Color Porter Square
8. Murals/public art display on City-owned buildings
9. Cambridge Garden of Peace
10. A performance trailer with equipment for block parties

Environment, Health & Safety Committee

1. Nursing space/pod for working mothers
2. Wellington-Harrington community garden
3. Veterans' Garden
4. Use water wisely - hydration station (bottle fill station) and waterless toilet
5. Gym equipment that converts kinetic energy to electrical energy
6. Benches with convertible covers
7. Homelessness prevention - landlord outreach event and tenant retention fund
8. Supporting the City's prepared food rescue pilot program by purchasing a freezer van
9. Electric vehicle charging stations at City lots
10. Solar photovoltaics on City surface parking lots

Parks, Recreation & Education Committee

1. Outdoor exercise equipment
2. Dog park in East Cambridge
3. Playground for adults
4. Tot lot/developmentally appropriate park for toddlers
5. Universal design playground
6. Volleyball court at Danehy Park
7. New chairs in Cambridge Public Schools
8. Music studio and equipment at three Youth Centers
9. Frisoli Youth Center kitchen renovation

Streets, Sidewalks & Transit Committee

1. Shaping up our squares (painted bike lanes in Inman and Central Squares)
2. Sherman/Cadbury pedestrian safety and traffic calming
3. MBTA #1 bus transit signal priority
4. Parking-protected bike lanes
5. Bicycle improvements on Mass. Ave. (sharrows and signage)
6. Bollards for the Harvard Square underpass bike lane
7. Real-time bus arrival monitors in Central Square