Mayor's Message

City of Kingston's New Zoning Code Resource

ARPA Nonprofit Grant Awards Announced

Midtown Celebration & Draw-a-thon Tomorrow

Help Us Name the Greenspaces at Broadway/Prince

Roadwork Update for Week of August 14

City of Kingston Job/Board Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

This week, the City of Kingston had, through a partnership with the US State Department, a wonderful and unique opportunity to welcome incredibly talented artists from around the world.

As those who live in Kingston know, we are a special community, and much is owed to our thriving arts scene and the working artists who contribute to the culture and personality of our great City. We were proud to show the international visitors our arts community.

I want to thank Dina Suggs of the U.S. Department of State and Kitt Potter the City of Kingston’s Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs for orchestrating this special event, giving us the ability to showcase our City and the opportunity to have a rich cultural exchange.

-Steve

New Zoning Code Resource Hub

As we mentioned last week, Mayor Noble has signed the new citywide zoning code into law. The City of Kingston is now one of only a few communities nationally that have entirely replaced an existing zoning code with a citywide form-based code, making our community a model for comprehensive change and progress.

To help residents understand what this means, we have created a hub for practical information about the new zoning code. For more, visit: https://engagekingston.com/kingston-forward.

ARPA Nonprofit Services Grant Awards Announced

Mayor Noble is pleased to announce the recipients of the City of Kingston’s ARPA Nonprofit Services Grant Program.

The following Kingston-affiliated nonprofit service organizations have been awarded grants up to $25,000:

AOH/Irish Cultural Center of the Hudson Valley

Angel Food East

ARC Mid-Hudson

Ashokan Center

Bardavon/UPAC

Beyond the 4 Walls Outreach Program

Bridge Arts & Education

Catholic Charities

Catskill Ballet Theater

Center for Creative Education

Circle Creative

Circle of Friends

Clinton Avenue Church

Community Action

Center for Photography at Woodstock

Family of Woodstock

Healthcare is a Human Right

Hudson River Maritime Museum

Hudson Valley Current

Kingston City Land Bank

Kingston Land Trust

Livingston Street Early Childhood Education

Midtown Arts District (MAD)

Max’s Kansas City Project

Mentor Me

My Kingston Kids

O+

Old Dutch Church Kitchen

People’s Place

People USA

Poughkeepsie Farm Project

Riverkeeper

RUPCO

Saint Catherine’s Foundation

St. James United Methodist Church

Salvation Army

Tay Fisher’s Community Cornerstone

Tiger Youth Football

Ulster Immigrant Defense Network

Ulster Literacy Association

Voice Theater

YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County

YWCA

“Our local nonprofit organizations provide crucial services to Kingston residents, and the organizations that are being awarded these ARPA grants represent a wide array of supportive programs – from providing food to legal counsel, from housing efforts to youth programming,” said Mayor Noble. “Kingston is so fortunate to have such incredible nonprofit organizations that provided invaluable services before and during the pandemic. They remain vital to the health of our community. We are pleased to be able to support these nonprofits, with the hope that this grant funding will help them continue their services well into the future.”

The City of Kingston is awarding over $1 million of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding with the Nonprofit Services Grant Program, intended to mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency on Kingston’s nonprofit organizations. Program activity examples include food distribution to low-income residents, shelter for the homeless, medical assistance, mental health services, other basic needs services, or education-related programs. Qualifying organizations must be a nonprofit or not-for-profit entity within City of Kingston limits or provide services to city residents.

For info on this and other ARPA programs, visit www.engagekingston.com.  

Midtown Celebration & Draw-a-thon Tomorrow

The Midtown Business Alliance (MBA) and the Midtown Arts District (MAD) are excited to announce the Midtown Summer Celebration Block Party on Cedar Street and Iwo Jima Lane, on Saturday, August 12, from 12pm to 5pm.

The Midtown Summer Celebration will feature DJs, live musical performances, food vendors, and informational booths showcasing the MBA, Mid-Hudson Energy Transition, the Rondout Savings Bank Midtown Capital Business Program, and other valuable resources for businesses and community members. The entertainment lineup on Cedar Street includes performances by Mariachi Charros de Mi Tierra from 1pm to 2pm, Brasskill from 2pm to 2:45pm, the CCE Energy Dance Company at 3pm, and DJ Nena Morena from 4pm to 5pm. Participating food vendors will focus on local options.

The Draw-A-Thon will take place at the D.R.A.W. studio at 20 Cedar Street, which will be transformed into a hub of creativity, with walls covered in paper and open for everyone to unleash their artistic talents from 10am to 10pm. As part of this immersive experience, the Draw-A-Thon will spill out onto Iwo Jima Lane, to include a unique Steamroller Print event, taking place from 11am to 2pm. Steamroller printing uses an actual steamroller to create large format prints from giant linocut blocks made by over 20 local artists.

Both the Midtown Summer Celebration and the Draw-A-Thon are free and open to the public, and a chance for all ages and backgrounds to explore their artistic abilities, enjoy live entertainment, gather valuable resources, and foster new friendships within the vibrant community of Midtown Kingston.

Help Us Name the Greenspaces at Broadway/Prince!

The Broadway Grand Street Intersection Improvements project realigned and improved a formerly dangerous intersection. After demolishing an abandoned fast food restaurant, the City redesigned the intersection of Broadway, Grand Street, Prince Street, and Pine Grove Avenue to improve safety, which created a greenspace -- and an opportunity to create a community space.

The City of Kingston has developed a landscape design plan to turn the two newly-created greenspaces at the intersection at Broadway and Prince into an inviting, accessible mini park. You can see a rendering of the Phase 1 landscape plans here, which will soon create an attractive, welcoming public space at a crucial juncture of the Kingston Greenline in the heart of Midtown.



We want the community’s input on what to name the new greenspace! Please post your name idea on Engage Kingston and we’ll put the ideas to a public vote in the coming weeks. The deadline for submitting is August 25. 

Roadwork Next Week & Upcoming Paving

The City of Kingston will be paving Shufeldt Street from Foxhall Avenue to Clifton Avenue and Linwood Place from Shufeldt Street to the dead end. 

Preparation has already begun in this area. Milling is expected to begin Monday, August 21, 2023. Paving is expected to be completed by Friday, August 25, 2023, weather depending. 

Central Hudson gas main installation will continue next week on West Chester Street, Augusta St, Bond St, and Staples St. Expect road closures and detours.

Previously announced paving by Central Hudson in the Uptown area has been moved to October.

Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project: Work continues on the north side of the street with sidewalk and curb installation. Underground utilities are being rehabilitated as needed in the areas of Pine, Furnace, and Wall Streets. Bluestone installation will be occurring in the area between Pine and Wall.

ADA Ramps Citywide: restoration at curb ramp sites on Clifton Avenue are complete. Restoration work will begin along Smith Avenue and Park Street next week, and construction of ramps will begin along Highland Avenue at E. Chester St. and Hasbrouck Pl.

Upgrades to the Washington Avenue railroad crossings will begin Monday, August 14. The Catskill Mountain Railroad's project is expected to be complete by August 24. The work will require Washington Ave to have one lane closed at the crossing. The traffic pattern will remain in place throughout the project. Access to all businesses will be maintained throughout the work. Expect delays and seek alternate routes.



Regular roadwork updates can be found here.

City of Kingston Job and Board & Commission Opportunities

The City of Kingston is hiring a Motor Equipment Operator. Job description and more details are available at https://kingston-ny.gov/Employment.

The City of Kingston has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community.

Currently there are openings on the Kingston City Land Bank board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Applications are available here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.