How would you spend $1 Million to improve Somerville? We Want to Hear It!
Somerville has launched Participatory Budgeting and it’s up to you to decide how $1 million of public funds gets spent!
What Type of Ideas Can You Propose?
Ideal projects are:
- one-times expenses (not salaries)
- benefit the public
- can be implemented on city-owned property (not private, MBTA, or state).
All ideas in any area are welcome! For repairs to existing streets or sidewalks, please submit a 311 ticket. Thanks to the many submissions surrounding potholes on Highland Ave in Cycle 1, additional funding was allocated in the city’s FY24 Budget to repave from Central St to McGrath Highway.
Examples of ideas for each category:
- Community Resources (drinking fountains, public wi-fi, food support)
- Parks & Green Spaces (play structures, plants and trees, sports equipment)
- Streets & Sidewalks (roadway, sidewalk, crosswalk, or lighting improvements)
- Arts & Culture (public art, cultural events, festivals, city beautification projects)
- Education (school building improvements, educational programming, enhancing library or school technology and resources)
- Other (if your idea doesn’t fit any of the above!)
What’s the timeline?
- September 20 - November 20, 2024: Submit your ideas!
- January - March 2025: Volunteers review all submissions
- April, 2025: Community Vote
- Summer 2025: The City gets to work on making the winning ideas happen
After the idea submission window closes, volunteer Budget Delegates will research and evaluate all ideas before 20 are selected for a public vote in September. If you are interested in volunteering as a Budget Delegate, please fill out this form or find it at somervillema.gov/pb.
For inspiration and winning projects from Cycle 1, visit somervillema.gov/pb. You can always reach the Participatory Budget office at pb@somervillema.gov or by phone through 311 (dial 311 or 617-666-3311).
