Better sidewalks, safer streets, and increased access to transportation won the most votes in Cambridge’s latest round of participatory budgeting. The program, begun in 2014, lets residents pitch, develop and vote on public projects that are funded through a pool of $1 million. More than 10,000 residents voted this year.
This year’s participatory budget options ranged from environmental enhancements, recreation opportunities, and support for area artists. Projects were pitched in the fall and then volunteers developed them into final proposals that appeared on the ballot. All Cambridge residents over the age of 12 were eligible to vote for up to five of the 20 final proposals. Results were released March 18, with voters funding nine projects before the $1 million cap was hit.
The top vote getter was “Fixing Sidewalks, Saving Trees,” a $100,000 project that will replace damaged pavement around trees with flexible pavement options that won’t interrupt their root systems. Rounding out the top three were a project to improve crosswalk safety, and free transportation for low-income or unhoused residents on their way to important appointments…