Mayor's Message

Historical Survey for Wilbur and Ponckhockie Neighborhoods

Fourth of July Fireworks & Entertainment

Public Information Meeting for ADU Programs

Mayor Noble Issues Executive Order for Safe System Approach

Paving & Roadwork Update

City of Kingston Job Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

The often-overlooked neighborhoods of Wilbur and Ponckhockie played key roles in Kingston’s storied history, and each of these neighborhoods has historic assets that should be protected, preserved, and recognized. We are happy to announce historic surveys in both neighborhoods, and pleased to make this first step toward having these areas identified as historic districts.

I want to wish everyone a happy Independence Day! I hope everyone has a safe holiday and enjoys the entertainment & fireworks in TR Gallo Park on Tuesday.

City offices will be open on Monday and closed on Tuesday. City Hall summer hours begin next week, the City Clerk's office will be open 8am-4:00pm.

-Steve

Historical Surveys for Wilbur & Ponckhockie for Historic Registry

A draft architectural and archeological sensitivity report is now available for the Wilbur and Ponckhockie neighborhoods. The report is an intensive level, historic, cultural and, as needed archeological site survey and analysis that represents the first step in potentially listing the two areas, or individual properties, on the State and National Register of Historic Places.

The draft architectural report builds on previous individual National Historic Register/State Registries and local listings in the area and the Historic Buildings Inventory identified in the 1987 Urban Cultural Park Plan. The report includes an inventory of the historic assets in Wilbur and Ponckhockie along with a detailed history. This information will also be used to nominate eligible individual properties located in these two neighborhoods.

City staff and consultants will host two meetings to discuss the findings:

July 18          Wilbur Neighborhood Meeting at Blackbird Café, 6:00pm

July 25          Ponckhockie Neighborhood Meeting, location tbd, 6:00pm

Kingston currently has four historic districts: the Stockade District, the Fair Street District, the Rondout-West Strand District, and the Chestnut St. District.

For more information, please visit: www.engagekingston.com/historic-survey. 

Fourth of July Fireworks & Entertainment

There will be a fireworks display on the Fourth of July in the City of Kingston. Sponsored by O’Connor & Partners and Ole Savannah, the fireworks will be set off from a barge in the Rondout Creek just after dark, and will be visible from T.R. Gallo Park. 

This year, the Independence Day celebration will include pre-fireworks entertainment, sponsored by Mainetti & Mainetti. Starting at 5:00pm, The Bill’s Toupee Band, a pop/dance cover band, will play on the City stage in T.R. Gallo Park before the fireworks display.

Parking will be limited. UCAT will run a free shuttle service, making regular pick-ups from the Kingston Plaza (adjacent to the ballfield off of Westbrook Lane), from the Cornell Street parking lot (Thomas Street lot near Little Italy), and along Broadway at the Governor Clinton, the Andy Murphy Center, and Yosman Towers, dropping off at Garraghan Drive. There will also be a continuous shuttle from the parking lot at Kingston Point Beach. Buses will start picking up at 5:00pm and the last bus will depart the Rondout at 11:30pm.

Public Info Meeting for ADU Programs

A public information meeting regarding the Ulster County Plus One Home Program and the City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) design contest will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

The Plus One Home grant program provides funding to create new code-compliant ADUs. Homeowners who meet the low- and moderate-income threshold (earning 100% or less of Ulster County Area Media Income) can apply to receive up to $125,000 dollars for the construction of a new detached or attached ADU. In exchange, the property owner agrees to rent the apartment at an affordable rate for a minimum of 10 years. Applications for the Ulster County Plus One Home Program will open after the event.

As part of the Plus One program, the City of Kingston launched the ‘Yes to ADU!’ Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Competition. The winning firm or design professional will receive $25,000 for producing permit-ready construction documents that Kingston and Ulster County homeowners can use to obtain building permits to construct new, detached ADUs. A $3,000 award will be given to the best non-professional/student entry.

Yes to ADU! Panel & Information Session

Thursday, July 13, 2023

6:00pm

Hudson River Maritime Museum Barn

50 Rondout Landing Kingston, NY 12401

Register here.

The term Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) refers to all forms of additional units on residential properties and may be either attached to the primary residence, such as a basement apartment, or detached from the primary residence such as a garage conversion or cottage. Among many other benefits, ADUs can provide rental income to homeowners and offer an affordable way for renters to live in residential neighborhoods or can help older residents age in place.

The proposed Form-Based Code legalizes attached and detached ADUs citywide and clarifies ADU approval rules, including setbacks and parking requirements. In addition, the City of Kingston Common Council recently passed Local Law 1 to adopt the 421-F Property Tax Exemption for the creation of new attached ADUs, which allows property owners to exempt a portion of the value of new ADUs from their assessment.

 

The Yes to ADU! Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Competition is funded with the City of Kingston’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Additional details about the ADU design contest can be found here: www.engagekingston.com/adu-design-competition.  

Mayor Issues Safe System Approach Executive Order

Mayor Noble has issued an Executive Order adopting the US Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration’s Safe System Approach in the City of Kingston.

The Executive Order, which goes into effect today, reinforces Mayor Noble’s commitment to public safety and that his administration will continue to work toward reducing crashes in the City of Kingston.

Mayor Noble said, “I am proud to issue this Executive Order and I hope the Council will pursue legislation to make the Safe System Approach a more permanent initiative in Kingston. Since I first became Mayor, I have been diligently working to build a safe transportation system – from bike lines, off street paths, and building connections between existing infrastructure to realigned intersections, better signage, and reconfigured traffic patterns. I look forward to furthering this work with the Council to continue to make our streets safe for all users."

Roadwork Next Week

Central Hudson: Main work and service replacements have been completed on Elizabeth Street and Wall Street. Gas installations will continue the week of 7/3/23 on West Chestnut Street and New Street with road closures and detours. There will be no work on 7/4.

Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project: crews are installing granite curbing and sidewalks on the south side of Henry Street.

ADA Ramps Citywide – construction is anticipated to begin next week on Clifton Avenue, with the first curbing work at Clifton and Highland Avenue.

Regular roadwork updates can be found here.

New sidewalk installation this week on Henry Street

City of Kingston Job Opportunities

The Kingston Water Department is accepting applications for Business Manager, to oversee its business office. A job description and applications may be obtained from the Civil Service Office in City Hall or online at https://kingston-ny.gov/Employment.

Upcoming Civil Service Exams include:

Bilingual Family Worker- August 5, 2023

Police Officer Exam - September 9, 2023. The deadline to apply for the Police Officer Exam is July 7, 2023. The Physical Agility Exam will be given on July 29, 2023.

More about jobs and exams is available at 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. Apply here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.