Residents in the Williamsburg, Navy Yard, DUMBO, and Brooklyn Heights neighborhoods can expect to see more trees, more green space, and much needed stormwater diversion systems thanks to ideas pitched by members of the community.  

Three projects were selected through a participatory budget process hosted by District 33, and through collaboration with local Council Member Lincoln Restler’s office, the projects will come to life across the district.  

Community members submitted thousands of project ideas through the process, and out of the nine projects on the ballot, neighbors chose the three projects that will be funded by the city.  

“This is a way to empower community members, kids from age 11 and up to get to vote on how our tax dollars are spent in our community,” said Restler.  

One project aims to plant hundreds of more trees across the district while reseeding and improving the lawns and adding more green space around the Gowanus Houses housing development.  

The Gateway to Greenpoint was another project winner that will create green space in the area that can be used by the community. It will also function as a stormwater diversion system that will retain more stormwater in the ground. The plan, spearheaded by the Newtown Creek Alliance, has been in the works since 2018 and will help filter out the stormwater flowing into the local creek. 

“A very sort of easy way for people to enjoy the space, but it’s also providing crucial environmental services as well,” said Willis Elkins, executive director of the Alliance.  

The city is still in the works of finalizing plans for the projects, but the hope is for the projects to kick off within the next year.