Mayor's Message

DRI Residential Rehab Program Launches

Children's Day Parade Today!

Mayor Noble Taking Applications for Ward 7 Council Seat

ADU Informational Meeting Recap

Music in the Parks Returns Next Friday

Roadwork Update for Week of July 17

City of Kingston Job/Board Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

A portion of Kingston’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative funds will be used to address housing issues in the Stockade Business district. A stipulation of the DRI grant is that funds must be used specifically for the Stockade Business district, and with this program, applicants must be income eligible, or provide low to moderate income housing. I encourage eligible property owners that need to perform necessary rehabilitation activities, especially those that will resolve health and safety hazards, to apply for this grant program.

As we welcome Michael Olivieri to the Kingston Water Department team, we must fill his seat on the Common Council. I've begun an application process for those interested in finishing his term. Get in touch if you live in Ward 7 and would like to serve!

-Steve

DRI Residential Rehab Program Launches

The City of Kingston will launch a Residential Rehabilitation Program to provide grants of up to $40,000 to income-eligible owners of residential properties in the Uptown Stockade Business District.

With $247,500 in funding from the City of Kingston’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, the Residential Rehabilitation Program will assist eligible residential property owners in making minor to substantial repairs to resolve building code violations, address health and safety hazards, and make necessary structural improvements. The eligible area is bounded by the Esopus Creek and Route I-587 to the north and east, St. James Street to the south, and Washington Avenue and Dietz Stadium to the west. View the Uptown Stockade Business District boundary map here.

• Award Amount: A min of $20,000 and a max. of $40,000.

• Match Requirement: Awardees must contribute a minimum of 25% of the project total.

• Eligible Applicants: Grants will be available to 1.) Owner-occupied: Homeowner must be at or below 100% AMI ($112,400 for a family of four), or 2.) for non-owner occupied units, rent must be made affordable to tenants who households are at or below 80% AMI. See chart here.

• Eligible use of funds: minor to substantial repairs to resolve building code violations, address health and safety hazards, and/or to make necessary structural improvements.

• Ineligible uses of funds: acquisition costs; new construction (including in-fill buildings); improvements to structures owned by religious or private membership-based organizations; or improvements to municipally owned and municipally operated buildings; furnishings, appliances, electronics, tools, disposable supplies, business equipment, and non-permanent fixtures. Funds may not be used for site work or ancillary activities on a property including but not limited to: septic systems/laterals, grading, parking lots, sidewalks, patios, new deck construction, garages, sheds, landscaping, fences, free standing signs, general maintenance or repairs.

Applicants who are unsure if their property falls within the eligible boundary, email bstarodaj@kingston-ny.gov with the residential address.

The deadline to apply is September 6, 2023, at 2:00pm. For more information, including how to calculate project cost, grant amount request and match amount, please visit www.engagekingston.com/dri-residential-rehab.  

Children's Day Parade Today at 6pm!

Mayor Noble Taking Applications for Ward 7 Seat

Mayor Noble has opened an application process to fill the Ward 7 Council seat recently vacated by Michael Olivieri.

Olivieri has been hired as the Business Manager at the Kingston Water Department and, due to conflict of interest, has resigned from his seat on the Common Council effective Sunday, July 23. Olivieri will begin his post at the Water Department on Monday, July 24, 2023.

As per the City of Kingston Charter, Mayor Noble has the authority to appoint a Council member to a vacated seat. Because Olivieri was running unopposed on the November ballot, Mayor Noble will open an application process for the seat. To be considered, applicants must have their primary residence in the current Ward 7 boundary. A ward map can be found here.

“I want to thank Michael Olivieri for serving Ward 7 and for all his hard work and due diligence on behalf of his constituents,” said Mayor Noble. “Michael has always been prepared and eager for discussion on important City matters. I know he will be a great addition to the Water Department team, and look forward to working with him in his role as Business Manager. I am now opening applications to fill Olivieri’s seat on the Council and will be immediately looking for qualified candidates to carry out the rest of his term. I encourage anyone who wants to serve in this capacity to contact my office as soon as possible.”

Residents of Ward 7 interested in serving should send a resume and cover letter to Mayor Noble at mayor@kingston-ny.gov or by mail to 420 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401. Applications will be accepted until an appointment is made. The appointed Alderperson will serve until December 31, 2023. 

ADU Info Meeting Recap

On Thursday, the City of Kingston, Ulster County, and RUPCO hosted a packed informational session for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) at the Maritime Museum Barn.

In addition to hearing about the City's ADU Design Competition and the County's Plus One Home Grant, residents heard from a panel of ADU and building experts. Panelists included Desirée Lyle of Simply Sustainable and a Tiny Home specialist, Peter Reynolds of North River Architecture, Sonia Lemus-Wright of Wright Architecture, and Tim Rogers who is the Mayor of the Village of New Paltz and a proud ADU owner. Residents had the opportunity to ask questions during Q&A sessions, walk through a full-scale ADU floorplan, and explore how different sized ADUs fit within different sized lots.

The Plus One Home Grant will open on July 20. The ADU Design Competition closes on August 15.

Thank you for Radio Kingston for providing tech support and to the Maritime Museum for hosting. Watch the recording of the info session here or visit https://rupco.org/plusone/. 

Music in the Parks Returns Next Week

Music in the Parks returns next Friday with a concert in T.R. Gallo Park. The Bush Brothers, a country/American band, will perform at 7:00pm on Friday, July 21. This event is free and open to the public. Bring your chairs or picnic blankets!

For the full Movies Under the Stars/Music in the Parks summer line-up, please visit https://www.kingston-ny.gov/musicintheparks.

Pearl Street Paving and Roadwork Next Week

The next round of paving will be Pearl Street from Johnston Avenue to the city line. Milling is expected to begin Monday, July 17, 2023. Paving is expected to begin Thursday, July 20 and be completed by Friday, July 21, weather depending. 

Central Hudson: Gas main installation will continue next week on West Chestnut Street between Montrepose and the dead end and Montrepose and Augusta Street with road closures and detours. 

Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project: contractors will begin replacing storm and sewer connections at Fair Street and Henry, and this intersection will remain closed. Concrete sidewalks are being installed on the south side of Henry Street. Bluestone sidewalks will begin to be installed on portions of the the south side of Henry Street.

ADA Ramps Citywide: crews will continue the construction of ramps from Highland Avenue to Shufeldt Street. 

Sterling Street - Storm water drainage repair work will begin near the intersection of Cedar Street and Sterling Street. 

Regular roadwork updates can be found here.

New sidewalk installation this week on Clifton Ave. as part of the curb ramp project

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.

There are currently two vacancies on the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (UCRRA) Board of Directors. The newly appointed board members will serve terms that expire on December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2024, respectively. All UCRRA members serve on a voluntary basis, without compensation. To be considered, submit an application form and upload your cover letter, resume, and support materials online here.