The Manhattan Borough President’s office yesterday announced this coming year’s capital awards for local institutions, totaling $51 million. The funding was included in the city budget that was recently approved by the New York City Council. You can see the full list of programs funded here. We have pulled out a few items of special interest to the Lower East Side.
–It’s not the biggest award, but one that will be popular locally; $200,000 has been dedicated for the restoration of the Schiff Fountain in Seward Park. In the past, city officials have estimated it will cost $3 million to complete the project. The Seward Park Conservancy will be seeking private funds for the restoration. The city award is certain to bolster their efforts.
–$200,000 was allocated to Sara D. Roosevelt Park to repair crumbling walkways.
–$250,000 is going to the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center for accessibility upgrades as it works to complete and lengthy restoration of its historic Suffolk Street building.
–The Vladeck Houses was awarded $500,000 for playground upgrades.
City Council member Margaret Chin also touted her local grants in an email blast to constituents yesterday. Like Brewer, she highlighted the Schiff Fountain restoration money. Other awards in Chin’s Council District 1 include:
–$250,000 to replace fencing at the LaGuardia Corner Garden.
–$350,000 for the installation of a new protected bike lane on Delancey Street.
–$109,000 for Grand Street Settlement to provide shuttle bus service for seniors participating in their programs on Pitt Street and at a new facility in the Essex Crossing complex.
–$1,500,000 for “preservation and restoration” at the Tenement Museum.
Finally, a few selected capital projects approved in Council member Rosie Mendez’s District 2:
–$300,000 for the completion of the dog run at Corlears Hook Park.
–$2 million for renovations at La MaMa Theater on East Fourth Street.
–$900,000 for a roof replacement project at the Theater for the New City.
If you would like to learn more about City Council discretionary and capital funding allocations, click here.
