Explore resident ideas
Every idea residents submitted to Ideas in Action in 2024–25, 2025–26 and 2026–27. Search the words residents used, or narrow by cycle, theme, neighborhood, language or how the idea was submitted.
Themes grouped with AI from resident idea text. English titles and summaries written with AI.
3,748 ideas
- School-year jobs for youthResident asks for school-year jobs for young people.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Annual Open Streets event in every neighborhoodResident asks for at least one Open Streets event per neighborhood each year on a predictable schedule so neighbors can connect in safe, shared street space.2026–27City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Bring back the Bean Town Jazz FestResident asks the City to help revive the Bean Town Jazz Fest, previously run with Berklee, hiring professional musicians to celebrate Black art and bring the neighborhood together.2026–27South EndArts & culture
- End-to-end protected bike lane on Mass AveResident asks for a continuous protected bike lane along Mass Ave because the current design is dangerous and the street is a key route for vulnerable road users.2026–27South EndPedestrian & bike safety
- Free bikes and low-cost e-bikesResident proposes free bikes and e-bikes priced like manual bikes, with card holds for tracking and theft, to increase exercise, reduce traffic and ease strain on transit.2026–27City-wideTransit & getting around
- Redevelop vacant Shawmut Avenue buildingsResident asks the City to incentivize redevelopment of long-vacant buildings on Shawmut Ave, creating a second main street in the South End with businesses serving a wider range of residents.2026–27South EndAdult jobs & small business
- $500,000 for school-year youth jobs, including immigrant youthResident asks for $500,000 to bring back school-year youth jobs with community organizations, including for immigrant youth.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Trash containers in converted parking spaces to cut ratsResident asks the City to expand containerized trash collection by converting parking spaces to bins, as in NYC, to reduce rodents, loose trash, smell and sidewalk crowding in dense neighborhoods.2026–27City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- $500,000 for school-year youth jobs and paid fellowshipsResident asks for $500,000 for school-year jobs and paid fellowships for immigrant and non-immigrant youth in fields like trades and healthcare, to build savings, skills and household income.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- City snow clearance of sidewalks, bus stops and bike lanesResident asks the City to take over snow clearing of sidewalks, bus stops and bike lanes, or at least clear for elderly neighbors, since less mobile residents are hit hardest.2026–27City-wideOlder adult support
- $500,000 for school-year youth jobs and fellowshipsResident asks for $500,000 to bring back school-year youth jobs and fellowships at community groups, including for immigrant youth.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Pedestrianize short road segments like Union Park blockResident asks to convert very short road segments, such as Union Park between Montgomery and Tremont Streets, into pedestrian space or greenway for safer walking and gathering.2026–27City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Build more public bathroomsResident asks the City to expand public bathrooms, perhaps building one or two new ones, since few free options exist and access is a matter of dignity.2026–27City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- City lending library for tools and equipmentResident asks for a city lending library of infrequently used, costly items like tools, art supplies and sports equipment.2026–27City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Balcony solar pilot for low-income residentsResident proposes a pilot program providing subsidized balcony solar panels to low-income residents, to cut utility costs and reduce reliance on high-emission power.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Make Newbury Street a full-time pedestrian spaceResident asks to pedestrianize Newbury Street full time, with retractable bollards for morning deliveries, to protect vulnerable road users, reduce emissions and support businesses.2026–27Back BayPedestrian & bike safety
- Build benches at transit stops lacking seatingResident asks the City to use $2M to build benches at transit stops without seating, so less mobile residents can rest while waiting.2026–27City-wideTransit & getting around
- $500,000 for school-year youth jobs and fellowshipsResident asks for $500,000 to bring back school-year youth jobs and fellowships at community groups, including for immigrant youth, because marginalized communities are hurt by lost funding.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Electric landscaping equipment for City crewsResident asks the City to replace gas-powered landscaping equipment with electric equipment to reduce environmental and public health harm.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate
- $500,000 for school-year youth jobs and fellowshipsResident asks for $500,000 to bring back school-year youth jobs and fellowships at community groups, including for immigrant youth.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Fund school-year youth jobsResident asks the City to restore funding for school-year youth jobs, which help mostly low-income teens of color support themselves and their families.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- City adult education center like the former BCAEResident asks the City to replicate the closed Boston Center for Adult Education, offering low-cost or free classes, possibly with volunteer instructors.2026–27City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Protected bike lane and wider sidewalks on Charles StreetResident asks for a two-way protected bike lane and wider sidewalks on Charles Street, citing narrow sidewalks, too many car lanes and speeding.2026–27Beacon HillPedestrian & bike safety
- Protected bike lanes linking South Boston and South EndResident asks for protected bike lanes on E Berkeley Street and the W Fourth Bridge to create a safe route between South Boston and the South End.2026–27South BostonPedestrian & bike safety
- Restore $500,000 for school-year youth jobsResident asks for at least $500,000 to restore school-year youth jobs through community organizations, so low-income youth and youth of color can access opportunity and programming.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships