City of Cambridge Announces Participatory Budgeting Winning Projects. Residents voted on how to spend $1 million to improve Cambridge.

The City of Cambridge today announced the results for the eighth Participatory Budget (PB) Process. From December 3-12, 7,441 Cambridge residents age 12 and older voted to decide how to spend $1 million on capital projects to improve the community.

The goal of PB is intended to directly involve residents in city budgeting, encourage civic engagement, foster community spirit, and help ensure that the city’s Capital Plan reflects the priorities of Cambridge residents. The winning projects were announced during a virtual results event.

The following 7 projects won $1,140,000 in FY23 Capital Funding:

1. Home Essentials for Newly Housed Residents ($60,000)
2. Keep Cambridge Clean ($80,000)
3. STEAM Upgrades for Youth Centers ($110,000)
4. Public Bathroom ($400,000)
5. African American & Indigenous Peoples Historical Reckoning Project ($180,000)
6. Traffic Signals for Cyclists ($60,000)
7. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations ($250,000)

“This year’s strong turnout is a testament to the passion our residents have for their community,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale, adding that it was the second highest voter participation rate in Cambridge's PB history. “I am extremely proud that we continue to engage the public with the City’s budgeting process. Thanks to Participatory Budgeting, Cambridge residents become true stakeholders in deciding community-driven capital projects. I am thrilled to be able to add an additional $140,000 to this year’s cycle to fully fund electric vehicle charging stations as a seventh winning project.”

Residents submitted more than 1,070 ideas for consideration online, by email, by mail, and over the phone. More than 50 volunteer Budget Delegates then researched and developed the submitted ideas into formal project proposals. During this time, budget delegates met virtually with City staff to better understand cost estimates and project feasibility, and then consolidated the list and came up with the final proposals that were on the December PB ballot for a public vote. Residents were able to vote online in English and 7 foreign languages, over the telephone, and at in-person voting locations at the Main Library and the Cambridge Community Center.

“We were able to conduct another successful PB campaign thanks to the hard work of our dedicated PB Budget Delegates and other volunteers, as well as our staff, and, of course, the continued participation of our residents," said Cambridge Budget Director Taha Jennings.

To learn more about PB and the winning projects, please visit pb.cambridgema.gov.