Latest Covid-19 Information |
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$25M+ Investment in City Center |
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New Playground at Barmann Park |
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KCSD Partnership to Provide Summer Camp Meals |
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Solarize Kingston Campaign |
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UCAT Informational Meeting & Job Fair |
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show |
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A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
Dear Friends,
I am proud to give an update this week on the myriad construction projects along the Broadway corridor. These projects make up the single biggest investment to infrastructure in the City of Kingston’s long history. We are not only improving vital infrastructure, we are creating an attractive and inviting gateway to our City, and providing the Midtown Business District with a beautiful thoroughfare. These projects provide a healthier, safer environment and create more equitable pathways through our City.
We know the construction can be frustrating, but this is an important step in the continued revitalization of the neighborhood.
-Steve
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COVID-19 Information
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As of Friday, June 25, there are 19 active Covid-19 cases in Ulster County, 4 in Kingston, and there have been 264 deaths across the County. More local resources at Ulster County Covid-19 Information
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The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is now accepting applications. Details here.
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Small Business Recovery Loans provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations in New York that have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic
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Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50/month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75/month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
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City of Kingston Construction Update |
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Mayor Noble is pleased to provide an update on the various construction projects currently underway in the City of Kingston. The projects along the Broadway corridor, including the I-587 Roundabout, Broadway Streetscape, the emergency sewer repairs, and the Broadway/Grand Intersection Realignment, combined make up an over $25 million investment in the center of our community. Of the four main projects, the majority of construction work will be wrapping up by the end of the summer.
The I-587 Roundabout project is funded and operated by the New York State DOT and is designed to reduce delays and improve safety for all travelers. While minimizing impact to area residents and businesses, the Roundabout will preserve parking capacity, enhance economic vitality, protect the historical character of the area, and will provide a beautiful gateway into the City of Kingston.
Construction began in 2020, and after several temporary configurations, is now in the final construction phase. Night work to pave the Roundabout project area is tentatively scheduled for July 12-13, 2021. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of July. Landscaping and tree planting will occur in the September planting season. Total investment $11,890,426
The Broadway Streetscape project renovates and rejuvenates Broadway from the I-587 Roundabout project to Grand Street and will include new ADA accessible sidewalks, a dedicated bicycle lane, many amenities including new light poles, 76 healthy street trees, 22 benches, 23 trash/recycling cans, 28 bike racks and paving of the entire project area. This portion of Broadway also makes connections on the Kingston Greenline and Empire State Trail.
Construction began in 2020 with new sidewalks on the west side of Broadway and currently continues on the east side of Broadway. All sidewalk construction is expected to be completed in early August. Additional amenities will be added in August, and the project will culminate in paving. The entire project is expected to be completed by September 15, 2021. Total investment $9,133,248
The emergency Broadway sewer project installs new sanitary sewer pipes to replace old, failing sewer lines along Broadway from Cedar Street to East St. James Street.
Construction began in February 2021, required significant lane changes and no parking in the project area so that the deteriorating sewer system below Broadway could be accessed. Reconstruction of the area has begun, and paving of the project area will occur in the next couple of weeks. The project is expected to be completed by July 2, 2021. Total investment: $2,800,000
The Broadway/Grand Intersection Realignment project will redesign the intersection of Broadway, Grand Street, Pine Grove Avenue, and Prince Street to improve traffic safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians and included the demolition of the former Planet Wings building. The intersection is currently confusing and difficult to navigate. The realignment will allow an opportunity for the community to conceptualize uses for the newly-created public green space.
Construction is expected to begin on July 9, 2021 and will dovetail with the Broadway Streetscape work. The intersection will be configured into the new design by mid-October, and the project is expected to be completed by October 31, 2021. Due to material shortage, light poles in the project area are expected to be installed by the end of the year. Total investment $1,525,000
In addition to all of the roadwork along the Broadway corridor, reconstruction of the Elmendorf Bridge is expected to begin in July and completed this fall. The project is not expected to cause traffic delays on Broadway. Total projected cost: $1,040,000
Also in Midtown, Ulster County is currently in construction on the Midtown Linear Park trail, which runs from Kingston Plaza to Cornell Street, adding another $2.5 million investment in the area. The Midtown Linear Park trail will be paved and will also serve as a connector on the Kingston Greenline. Part of the larger Empire State Trail, the Kingston Greenline connects on the west to the O&W Trail and the Wallkill Valley Trail, weaves through the City complete streets, improved sidewalks, bike lanes, and linear parks, then connects to the Hudson River Brickyard Trail.
The City of Kingston provides weekly roadwork updates here.
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New Playground at Barmann Park
A brand new playground is now open at Barmann Park! The ADA-accessibly playground is located behind the ballfield on Clinton Ave, just off Greenkill Avenue, and has a new bouncy surface.
Thanks to everyone who came out to the ribbon-cutting event. We look forward to seeing lots of happy faces on the new playground!
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Kingston City School District Provides Camp Meals |
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A joint effort between the Kingston City School District and Kingston Parks and Recreation Department will provide free breakfast and lunch to students enrolled in summer camp programs.
Kingston Parks and Recreation’s 7-week summer camps will begin on Monday, June 28 and are held in Forsyth, Hasbrouck, Hutton, and Loughran Parks. The Kingston City School District’s chef David Dunn will be providing breakfast and lunch, including hot meals, to a total of 200 participants.
“We are so pleased to partner with the Kingston City School District to ensure that our summer campers have meals. We thank Superintendent Padalino for supporting the students and for providing this generous service,” Mayor Noble. “We are so grateful that, after a difficult year, the Parks and Recreation department is able to host our summer camps and provide a fun, safe space for the children of our community. On top of the wonderful programming, these students will now be getting a variety of nutritious meals each day of camp.”
“The Kingston City School District is very excited to team up with the City of Kingston and provide hot, nutritious meals for our students even in the summer months,” said Superintendent Padalino.
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Solarize Kingston Community Solar Campaign
The City of Kingston is partnering with Ulster County, Solarize Ulster, and the Climate Smart Kingston Commission on a community solar campaign.
Presented at the Climate Smart Kingston Commission meeting on Wednesday, June 23, the Solarize Kingston Campaign allows anyone with a utility bill to support local renewable generation of electricity and reduce their electric bills by 10%, with no upfront costs or monthly fees.
Through the community solar campaign, anyone who pays an electricity bill can receive credits. These monetary credits are generated by local solar arrays whenever the sun is shining. Credits are applied directly to the account holder’s utility bill. There is no initial cost or monthly fee.
“The subscription directly supports clean, renewable energy resources and saves our residents money without having to install costly solar panels on your home or property,” said Mayor Noble. “Often sustainability resources are not available to all, for a variety of accessibility reasons. By tapping into a larger array of solar panels, we are able to extend this opportunity to more of the community and create a much more equitable resource for renters and all those who are interested in renewable energy.”
The amount of credits to the account holder’s electric bill will vary from month to month. Since solar generates more electricity in the summer, more credits will be logged in the summer months. If more credits are earned than can be used in a given month, the utility will rollover credits for use in subsequent months. Costs and credits typically balance out over the course of the year.
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UCAT Bus Informational Meeting
Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) will be hosting an in-person informational event, How to Ride UCAT Info Session & Job Fair on Wednesday, June 30 from 4:00 – 6:00pm at 633 Broadway, which will also be live-streamed on Radio Kingston.
Join UCAT staff for an informational presentation about bus routes and the additional of services to return to pre-COVID-19 levels.
At 4:00pm, UCAT will be holding a job fair for open positions. Then at 5:00pm, UCAT will provide a presentation on the fixed route system, how to flag the bus, paratransit services for individuals with disabilities, senior shopping and medical services, and what's next for UCAT. More info on the event here.
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Join a City of Kingston Board or Commission
The City of Kingston is looking for volunteers for a number of boards and commissions, including:
Arts Commission
Civil Service Commission
Conservation Advisory Council
Ethics Board
Heritage Area Commission
Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission
Police Commission
To apply, please complete an application here.
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show
Mayor Noble has switched over to a longer format radio show with a weekly guest. The show airs on Tuesdays at 5:00pm live on Radio Kingston and the City of Kingston Facebook page.
Click below to hear Tuesday's radio show with Lynsey Timbrouck, Director of Parks and Recreation.
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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.
This system is a valuable resource to submit service requests for streetlight replacement, roadwork, City signage, traffic calming measures and other concerns. Issues with snow removal and reporting of vehicles and sidewalks not in accordance with the Snow Emergency restrictions can also be submitted via Kingston 311. Photos can also be attached to illustrate service orders. Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us.
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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:
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