Cambridge Announces Participatory Budgeting Winning Projects

The City of Cambridge announced today the results for the seventh Participatory Budget (PB) Process. From January 4-9, 7,250 Cambridge residents age 12 and older voted to decide how to spend $500,000 on capital projects to improve the community. The winning projects were announced during a virtual results event.

The following 7 projects won $525,000 in FY22 Capital Funding:

1. Urban Micro-Forests for Cambridge ($85,000)
2. Rain Gardens for Resiliency ($120,000)
3. Bridging the Digital Divide ($95,000)
4. Bike Signals at Busy Intersections ($40,000)
5. Keep Cambridge Cleaner ($45,000)
6. Swinging into Inclusivity ($40,000 )
7. Pedestrian-Controlled Crosswalk Lights ($100,000)

“Despite the pandemic, the strong turnout in this year’s cycle is a testament to the passion our residents have for their community,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “I am extremely proud that we continue to engage the public with the City’s budgeting process. Thanks to PB, residents are empowered to submit and vote for capital projects, and they are able get a closer look at how the budget process works. I am thrilled to be able to add an additional $25,000 to this year’s cycle to fully fund the seventh project, pedestrian-controlled flashing beacons.”

Participatory Budgeting is a process through which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. 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.

Residents submitted more than 660 ideas for consideration through the website, by email, by mail, and over the phone. More than 60 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 January PB ballot for a public vote. Residents were able to vote online in English and 7 foreign languages, and over the telephone.

“I want to thank the PB Budget Delegates and Facilitators, City staff, and all of the volunteers and participants who helped make the City’s seventh PB cycle a success,” said Cambridge Budget Director Taha Jennings.

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