Mayor's Message

City Releases 2025 Vacancy Study

Midtown Linear Park Community Space Meeting

Pickleball Court Project to Begin Monday

Caribbean Festival at Kingston Point Beach on Saturday

Kingston Artist Soapbox Derby Downtown on Sunday

Kingston Repair Cafe on August 23

HomeShare Ulster Seeks Volunteers

Mayor Noble's Upcoming Listening Tour Meetings

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

City of Kingston Board & Commission and Job Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

Part of the ETPA law that the Common Council passed in 2022, stated that the City must conduct a vacancy study every three years, so that we could accurately assess and update our understanding of the current rental market.

The 2022 survey unequivocally showed that the City of Kingston was in a housing emergency, and we were able to opt into the Emergency Tenant Protection Act. This week, we released the latest survey, which finds that the net vacancy rate for ETPA-covered properties exceeds the percentage required to declare a municipality-wide housing emergency. However, buildings containing more than 22 units do still fall under the 5% vacancy threshold needed to declare a housing emergency.

With the results released, I now call upon the Common Council to conduct its own legislative review of the survey results. While we recognize that housing is still a very challenging issue, we hope that some of the City’s many housing efforts are starting to relieve the housing pressures. And we will continue to advocate fiercely for our tenants across the community.

-Steve

2025 Vacancy Study Released

The City of Kingston has released the 2025 Vacancy Survey Findings.

Between April and June 2025, the City of Kingston’s Office of Housing Initiatives conducted a housing vacancy analysis to reevaluate current conditions in the local rental housing market across various housing types.

The 2025 survey found that the net vacancy rate for sampled ETPA properties is 7.04%, exceeding the 5% threshold for declaring a housing emergency. The rate of 7.04% found in the survey represents a return to levels observed in 2019, when the vacancy rate was 5.8%. While the overall net vacancy rate for surveyed ETPA properties exceeds the emergency threshold, vacancy rates vary considerably by building size. Notably, buildings with more than 22 units recorded a net vacancy rate below the emergency benchmark.

Changes in the Kingston housing market since the 2022 housing emergency declaration include: adoption of a landmark citywide rezoning to promote density and infill development, implementation and enforcement of new short-term rental regulations, passage of Good Cause Eviction, and a myriad of other housing initiatives.

For the first time, the 2025 survey also included a survey of the City’s regulated and market-rate building stock. The study found that the vacancy rate for these two categories was 2.37% and 2.08%, respectively. These results confirm the need for continued public investment and attention to ensure that there is enough housing available of all types for those that want to live in Kingston.

The complete report is available here.

Midtown Linear Park Community Space Meeting

Join Ulster County for the next community workshop to help shape the future of the new community space on the Midtown Linear Park!

Three proposed design strategies developed from community input will be presented. Share your thoughts!

Sunday, August 17

6:00-8:00pm

Midtown Linear Park at Cornell Street

(rain location: Red Owl, 25 Cornell Street)

This is a key moment to make sure the park design reflects our community’s goals, values, and vision.

After the workshop, there will be a screening of Time Bandits, the 1981 cult classic by filmmaker Terry Gilliam, presented by the Kingston Film Foundation.

A digital version of the design options and feedback form will be available on the Participate Ulster website starting August 17, and will remain open through the end of the month.

For more information, visit: participate.ulstercountyny.gov/midtown-linear-park

Let’s create a space that reflects the energy, culture, and creativity of Midtown!

Loughran Park Pickleball Court Project

The Loughran Park Tennis/Pickleball Facility Improvements Project will begin on Monday, August 18, 2025.

The project maintains the existing footprint of the courts, improves subgrade conditions, adds green infrastructure practices to improve drainage, and increases player capacity. Construction work will include demolition of the existing tennis/pickleball courts and fencing and the installation of two tennis and eight pickleball asphalt courts, fencing, and bioretention swale landscaping. Pickleball sound mitigation is part of this project, including installing sound barriers at the pickleball courts, switching the pickleball and tennis court locations, and prohibiting pickleball play on the tennis courts.

Arold Construction Company of Kingston has been contracted for the construction work, which is expected to begin with securing the construction zone with temporary fencing on Monday, August 18, 2025, and begin demolition of the old courts and fencing that week. Construction hours will be Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 3:30pm. During construction, the tennis and pickleball facilities will be closed to the public, but the remainder of the park will be open.

PSM Consulting LLC recently conducted a study to understand the pickleball sound, measure sound levels, and determine appropriate mitigation methods for the Loughran Park project. The study listed several mitigation recommendations including the installation of sound reflective barriers and upgrading the height and strength of the fencing, which have been incorporated into the project. The noise mitigation study can be found here.

Construction is expected to be completed in November 2025. Funding for this project came from the City of Kingston Recreation Trust Fund. More information at www.engagekingston.com/pickleball

Caribbean Day Event on Saturday

On Saturday, August 16, the 6th Annual Caribbean Day Festival will be held at Kingston Point Beach from 12:00pm to 7:00pm. More information here.

Please note: due to the size of this event, there will be no swimming at the beach on Saturday.

Kingston Artist Soapbox Derby on Sunday

The 30th Annual Kingston Artists Soapbox Derby will be held in downtown Kingston on August 17, 2025. Registration begins at 11:00am with the parade at 1:00pm.

More info & inspiration at https://kingstonartistsoapboxderby.com/.

Kingston Repair Cafe on Saturday, August 23

HomeShare Ulster County Seeks Volunteers

HomeShare Ulster County has made 13 successful matches to date, supporting nine seniors to remain in their homes and 16 individuals to find local, affordable housing, with five more in the making. These matches provide security and peace of mind to the children of seniors who are living alone. Most involve a “neighborly exchange” of help with some including driving, small household tasks, companionship and nighttime security. All pay a modest rent to the home provider.

HomeShare's work is possible due to the commitment and skill of volunteers. Paid staff provide continuity and administrative support, volunteers connect with applicants in a detailed intake interview, follow-up with reference checks, make appropriate introductions, and manage the details of setting up a match.

HomeShare provides training and mentorship and the support of a working team. Volunteers who are able to work in the Kingston area are needed. To volunteer, contact 845-331-7080 and ask for HomeShare.

More info at https://www.familyofwoodstockinc.org/programs/home-share-ulster-county-ny/

Mayor Noble's Listening Tour Meetings

Mayor Noble, along with Council members from each ward, is hosting monthly ward meetings to meet with residents and hear their concerns.

Two upcoming meeting dates have been announced:

Ward 6

with Alderman Bob Dennison

Monday, September 8, 2025

5:30pm

Landmark Place, 300 Flatbush Ave.

Ward 7

with Alderman Drew Andrews

Monday, September 15, 2025

5:30pm

Hutton Park pavilion

Future monthly ward meetings will be announced in the coming weeks.

Paving & Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

Paving– next week, the following roads are scheduled to be paved:

Fairview Avenue from Merilina Avenue to Howland Ave.

Fairview Avenue Extension from Fairview Ave. to End

Stickles Avenue from Fairview Ave. to End

Milling is expected to begin on Monday, August 18, with paving expected to be completed by Friday, August 22, weather depending. Road closures are expected, with detours and changes in traffic patterns.     

CSX crossings– CSX will be making improvements at three crossings in Kingston. The following roads on the following tentative dates:



Sunday, August 17             Foxhall Avenue crossing

Thursday, August 21          Smith Avenue crossing

Monday, August 25            Ten Broeck Avenue

Each crossing is expected to take 2-3 days to complete. Seek alternate routes.

Central Hudson– Central Hudson road paving will begin the week of August 18 on Merilina  Avenue, Voorhees Avenue, Alcazar Avenue, Court Ave, Boulder Ave, and Granite Court with possible lane changes and/or road closures.

Main installation will continue the week of August 18 on Van Deusen Street, Greenkill Ave, and Clinton Ave with possible lane changes and/or road closures. 

Service replacements will continue the week of August 18 on Clinton Avenue, Greenkill Ave and Cedar Street with possible lane changes and/or road closures.

Albany Avenue– DOT will be milling and paving a section of Albany Ave, on the outbound lane from the Foxhall area to the city line. Work will be limited to one lane and is expected to begin the week of August 25. 

The weekly roadwork update can be found on the City website here.

City of Kingston Job and Board/Commision Opportunities

The City of Kingston is hiring! The following positions are currently open:

• Traffic Electrician 
• Motor Equipment Operator
• KWD Water Treatment Plant Operator
• WWTP Mechanic II
• Solid Waste Foreman
• Housing Code Inspector (Part Time)
• Clerk (Spanish Speaking) 

For more information on civil service exams and job opportunities, please visit https://kingston-ny.gov/employment

The following civil service exams are scheduled:

• Police Officer exam on September 20, 2025
• Spanish Speaking Clerk on November 8, 2025

The City has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community. The following currently have openings:

• Live Well Kingston
• Board of Water Commissioners
• Ethics Board
• Recreation Commission
• Conservation Advisory Council
• Zoning Board of Appeals
• Kingston Local Development Corporation Board

Find the application at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.

The Kingston 311 app, website, and phone system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests.

The Kingston 311 app, available for Android & iPhones, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations. Photos can be attached to illustrate service orders.



This system is a valuable resource to submit municipal service requests. Examples include:

• Streetlight replacement
• City signage, including overgrowth blocking traffic signs
• Snow removal, reporting parking violations, and other snow issues
• Parks & playground repairs
• Report graffiti or vandalism
• Trail issues

Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us, use the app or visit www.kingston-ny.gov/311/