New York City's annual Participatory Budgeting process, which allows New Yorkers to vote on how to allocate up to $1 million in their districts, involves capital projects that would improve schools, parks, libraries, and other public spaces. Not every New York City Council district participating, District 5, which includes Roosevelt Island, parts of the Upper East Side, and Midtown East, will be voting. Voting begins on Saturday, April 11 and runs through April 19. There are 13 different options on the ballot for upgrades on the Upper E. Side, including new tree guards, new bathrooms at public schools, and purchasing a firefighting robot. The winning projects will be included in the City’s budget in 2026.