September 13, 2024 - In this issue: | |
Community Development Block Grant Applications Open | |
Forsyth Family Fun Day on September 21 | |
Mayor Noble's Listening Tour - Ward 6 on Monday | |
Plus One ADU Program Round 2 | |
2024 Art Walk with Special Music in the Parks Event | |
Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show | |
Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update | |
City of Kingston Job Opportunities | |
Mainetti & Mainetti Uptown Car Show Tomorrow | |
Independence of Mexico and Central America Celebration Tomorrow | |
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Mayor's Message:
Dear Friends -
Today the community gathered to dedicate and rename the Van Buren Street park as the D’Janeira Mason Memorial Playground.
It is painful to lose any child in our community, but to lose a child to gun violence is particularly tragic and senseless. We honor DJ by placing her name on a playground in her neighborhood, where children can play, and where her memory will live on. I hope this park will help bring the community together in healing.
-Steve
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Community Development Block Grant Applications Now Open | |
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The 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) process has begun.
Groups and organizations operating within the City of Kingston may apply for 2025 CDBG funding for eligible programs. For this round of funding, the City of Kingston will only be accepting applications for Public Service Programs, and per HUD guidelines, funding must be for either a new program or a significantly expanded program. Examples of eligible programs and services and a list of threshold criteria are included in the application packet.
Applications are due Friday, October 18, 2024.
The City will hold a public hearing on Monday, September 23 to solicit public comments on use of funding and will hold an informational session for interested applicants to discuss eligible programs, process, and application requirements on Tuesday, September 24. New and previous applicants are encouraged to attend at least one informational session.
The 2025 Community Development Block Grant schedule is:
Sept. 9 Applications available
Sept. 23 Public hearing, City Hall Conference Room #2, 6:00pm
Sept. 24 Public Info Session, City Hall Conference Room #2, 5:30pm
October 18 Applications due
For more information, visit the Community Development webpage or contact Amee Peterson at 845-334-3960 or apeterson@kingston-ny.gov.
Kingston’s Office of Community Development receives an annual CDBG Entitlement Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City anticipates being awarded approx. $650,000 in CDBG funds for fiscal year 2025, and of that amount no more than 15% is allowed to be used to fund program services. The funds are intended to assist in providing a suitable living environment, decent housing, and expanding economic opportunities for low- to moderate-income persons in our community.
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Family Fun Day at Forsyth Nature Center | |
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The Friends of Forsyth Nature Center and Kingston Parks and Recreation are hosting another family fun day on September 21 from 12-5pm. This is a free event with activities and entertainment for children of all ages.
The day will also include a movie in the park at dark. Bring your blankets and chairs to enjoy the animated movie Migration.
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Mayor Noble Listening Tour - Wards 6 & 7 | |
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The Mayor Noble continues his Listening Tour with a meeting in Ward 6 on Monday, September 16 at 5:30pm at Landmark Place (300 Flatbush).
The Ward 7 meeting will be held on Monday, October 21 at 5:30pm at the Comforter of Kingston Church at 26 Wynkoop. Mark your calendar!
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Ulster County Plus One ADU Program Round 2 | |
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The Plus One Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program, which provides financial assistance to homeowners for the construction or rehabilitation of code-compliant ADUs, will open for Round 2!
Applications will open on September 17 and close on November 18, with a priority application window of October 14; applications submitted on or before October 14 that are “shovel-ready” projects (i.e., where the homeowner is prepared to submit or has submitted planning/building permits for the project) will be prioritized for funding. Applications can be found here: https://rupco.org/plusone
Eligible homeowners earning 100% or less of Ulster County's Area Median Income (i.e., $111,700 for a 4-person household, $78,200 for a 1-person household), can apply for up to approximately $125,000 for ADU construction or rehabilitation through the program. In return, participants agree to rent the unit at an affordable rate (Fair Market Rent) to income-eligible tenants for a minimum of 10 years. Priority will be given to households who choose to rent to residents earning up to 60% of Ulster County Area Median Income. Homeowners can also use the unit to house a family member.
A workshop for interested homeowners will be held on Thursday, September 26, 6:00pm at the Kingston Library, 61 Crown Street.
In August, the City of Kingston passed the 421-P*2 Tax Exemption for New Accessory Dwelling Units into law, to exempt newly constructed ADUs from taxation for a 10-year period.
During Round 1 of the program, a design competition was held to create low-cost and sustainable ADU building plans. Thanks to funding from the City of Kingston's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), these resources are available for free at https://engagekingston.com/adu-design-competition
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2024 Art Walk Kingston with Special Music in the Parks | |
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Art Walk Kingston, a celebration of the arts and the local community and one of the largest open studio tours in the Hudson Valley, will be held September 21-22. Over the course of two days, visitors and local residents are invited to explore three distinct areas of the city of Kingston and immerse themselves in a range of art and events. Paintings, photographs, drawings and sculptures are just some of the mediums that will be on display at home studios and galleries across the city. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the event weekend will offer a broad range of art and activities for everyone.
Visit our online digital map and start planning your visit! Printed maps will be available beginning 9/14 at: Rough Draft, Kingston Wine, Village Coffee & Goods, and Village Grocery.
As part of 2024 Art Walk, the City of Kingston will host a special presentation of Music in the Parks with a live performance by the Levanta Music Ensemble while Kate Hymes (Ulster County Poet Laureate) recites "Jazzoetry" and a live painting interpretation by artist Nancy Ostrovsky. This special performance will be on Saturday, September at 2:00pm at TR Gallo Park. Rain date will be on Sunday.
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show | |
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Mayor Noble's weekly radio show, "It's the Mayor" is back! The show airs on Tuesdays at 5pm on Radio Kingston.
This week, Mayor Noble spoke with Jack Schoonmaker, City of Kingston Project Manager for Dietz Stadium about the construction and finishing touches, and the progress at the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center. Click below to hear their conversation.
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Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update | |
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Clinton Avenue Intersection Improvements– until September 26, there will be no right turn from Albany Avenue onto Clinton Avenue from 7:00am to 4:00pm on weekdays. Clinton Avenue through the work zone will remain open. This is being done in order to prevent traffic back-up into the roundabout.
A reminder that Uptown Coffee and other local businesses in the construction area are still open!
Paving-- the next round of paving will be Maiden Lane from Albany Avenue to Green Street and Furnace Street from Franklin Street to the dead end.
Milling is expected to begin Monday, September 23 with paving expected to be completed by Friday, September 27, weather depending.
Central Hudson—crews we will working on Pine St to replace gas services. Please expect lane and or road closures in this area.
ADA Curb Ramps—work continuing on Cornell at Tremper and will be moving to Cornell at Bruyn. Roadways remain open during construction.
This project will include 56 new ADA ramps along Cornell St, Smith Ave, Maiden Ln, and St James St. It is anticipated to be completed in November of 2024.
Prospect Street sewer project–work continuing between St. James and Liberty. Road closed except local traffic.
Post Office Park-- construction will start up again soon with site work to prepare for the installation of amenities and plantings.
Kingston Point Rail Trail – NYSDOT has closed the pedestrian bridge over 9W on the Kingston Point Rail trail for painting. A detour is in place through mid-October.
Archtop Fiber-- installation crews will remain on Clifton Avenue.
Weekly roadwork updates will be posted on the City website here.
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Sidewalk work on Clinton Avenue this week | |
City of Kingston Job & Board Opportunities | |
Mainetti & Mainetti Uptown Car Show Tomorrow | |
Mexican Independence Day Celebration Tomorrow | |
Celebrating The Independence of Mexico and Central America Day on Saturday, September 14 from 12:00-7:00pm on Liberty St. Join the festivities for music, food, dancers, raffles, and activities for children. All are welcome! | |
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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-related 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/
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Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
mayor@kingston-ny.gov
The purpose of this newsletter is to share important information, project updates, pictures and news from the City of Kingston. For more detailed information, visit:
www.kingston-ny.gov
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