Mayor's Message

Kingston Business Park Study Firm Selected

Full Short-term Rental Permits will Open on Sept. 26

Kingston Eats Passport Program

Home Energy Efficiency 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

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

Dietz Stadium is open! After a year of construction, Kingston High School will have their first home football game on the new field tonight, and the stadium is open to the public when not in use for school athletics and band. Daily hours are 7:00am to 10:00pm for the track and turf. We expect the interior of the grandstand to be finished in the coming weeks.

Tomorrow is Family Fun Day at the Forsyth Nature Center from 12:00-5:00pm. This free event is filled with activities and entertainment for all ages, including a movie in the park at dark. Bring your blankets and chairs to enjoy the animated movie Migration.  

And mark your calendar for next weekend, we have a special event at City Hall for the unveiling of Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom, a bronze statue which will be installed at City Hall for the next 11 months. On Saturday, September 28, we will celebrate her arrival with a celebration starting at 6:00pm.

-Steve

Kingston Business Park Study Firm Selected

The City of Kingston has contracted Buro Happold to provide architectural and design concepts for potential housing and/or mixed-used development in the Kingston Business Park. The winning team also includes MVRDV as the architecture and design lead and Assemblage as landscape architect lead.

The City of Kingston and the Kingston Local Development Corporation (KLDC) are seeking to understand the feasibility of adding housing to the Kingston Business Park, the 107-acre property located at 370-384 Delaware Avenue and currently owned by the KLDC. After a competitive RFP process, Buro Happold’s proposal for Preliminary Site Planning and Architectural Studies for the Kingston Business Park project was selected.

“We are pleased to contract with Buro Happold, a firm that brings a wealth of experience and expertise in planning and designing mixed-use developments,” said Mayor Noble. “Here in Kingston, we are exploring a number of areas to increase our housing, and believe the Kingston Business Park could be a great area to expand our housing options. The site does have some challenging topographical features, which will require a creative and forward-thinking approach. We look forward to seeing how Buro Happold approaches these infrastructure challenges.”

“The Request for Proposals attracted dozens of regional, national, and international teams. I’m confident that the Buro Happold team will be able to fully explore all the options on the site and bring forth best practices in urbanism, housing typologies, mobility, and sustainability,” said Bartek Starodaj, Director of Housing Initiatives.

First established in 1998, the Business Park was originally designed to accommodate four to five light manufacturing facilities totaling 300,000-500,000 square feet, utilizing approximately 40-50 acres for commercial development. Currently, there are two active commercial tenants: Howmet Aerospace and Community Manufacturing Solutions. The selected firm will help the City and the KLDC perform initial site analysis based on a review of undeveloped parcels in the Business Park, explore possible types of residential and/or mixed-used development possible under the City’s form-based zoning code, and recommend other types of programming that could complement any new development. Buro Happold will also assist the City in analyzing placement of any new development based on the site’s environmental features. 

Full Short-Term Rental Permits Will Open for One Day

There are currently five vacancies for Short-Term Rental Full Permits, and the online registration for the available permits will be open for one day, on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

The City’s short-term rental registration portal will be open for the available Full Permits, which had previously been at capacity and closed. Under the City’s new form-based zoning code, the number of Short-Term Rental Full Permits is limited to 1% of the City’s total housing units, which is currently 106 permits.

To apply for an STR-Full Permit, interested property owners must register for an account on the City’s registration portal. Once registered, contact the Office of Housing Initiatives to obtain an account code and account number, and express interest in applying for a Full Permit to be assigned the correct application.

Property owners may register for the Full permit any time on September 26. A complete registration is one in which a property owner has completed an application, uploaded proof of ownership, and paid the annual registration fee.

If there are more registrations than applications available, the City will randomly select registrants until the Full Permit availability has been filled. Registrants not successful in receiving the Full Permit will be placed on a formal waitlist to receive Full Permits as spots become available.

Contact Bartek Starodaj, the City of Kingston’s Director of Housing Initiatives at BStarodaj@kingston-ny.gov or 845-334-3928 with questions.

The STR registration portal link is https://cityofkingston.munirevs.com/.

Kingston Eats Passport Program

Live Well Kingston has launched a citywide veggie and fruit of the month campaign called Kingston Eats at locations across the city.

Now, with the Kingston Eats Passport, you can visit your favorite local destinations and scan a QR code on your phone to be entered to win a monthly raffle for a $50 visa gift card. Participating Locations:

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster
• First Capital Poke Bar
• Joe Beez
• Kingston Bread & Bar
• Kingston Farmers Market
• Lola Pizza
• People’s Place
• Rewind Kingston
• Rosie General
• Rough Draft
• Salvation Army
• Stone Soup
• Sweet Maresa’s
• Tilda’s Kitchen
• Turn up the Beet
• YMCA Youth Farm Project

More info at https://livewellkingston.org/kingston-eats/.

MHET Home Upgrades Program Round 2

Mid-Hudson Energy Transition (MHET) will reopen the Home Upgrade Grants (HUG) Program, aimed at assisting residents in making crucial improvements to their homes for enhanced health, safety, and utility cost savings.

MHET will collaborate with income-qualified Kingston homeowners to leverage federal, state, and local clean energy incentives, facilitating home improvement projects that directly lower utility costs. Initiatives such as air sealing, insulation, and remediation of mold, lead, and asbestos are among the strategies aimed at improving affordability and sustainability.

Mayor Steve Noble expressed enthusiasm, stating, “This initiative aligns perfectly with our city's commitment to fostering sustainable living and supporting our residents. The Home Upgrade Grants project has already enhanced the quality of life for seven Kingston families with more to come. I encourage qualifying homeowners to apply!"

The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) Program has already made an impact on the Kingston community since launching in March of 2024. MHET received interest forms from 80 individuals. Through their grants and the support of NYSERDA’s EmPower+ program, MHET has been able to distribute over $93,000 in grant funding, but there is still $200,000 available in grants to distribute! Grant awards are determined by the participant’s level of need, assessed through a complimentary home evaluation. The deadline for expressing interest is September 30, 2024. Interest forms can be found here.

To learn more about the HUG program, MHET will be hosting a hybrid event on Wednesday, September 18 at 4:30pm. Register to attend here.

For inquiries about the program, please contact us at homes@mid-hudson.energy or by phone at 845-372-1728. For further information, visit https://www.mid-hudson.energy/home-upgrade-grants/.

2024 Art Walk Kingston with Special Music in the Parks

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. Paintings, photographs, drawings and sculptures are just some of the mediums that will be on display at home studios and galleries across the city. The weekend offers a broad range of art and activities for everyone.

Visit our online digital map and start planning your visit! Printed maps are available at Rough Draft, Kingston Wine, Village Coffee, 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 featuring Ulster County Poet Laureate Kate Hymes 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.

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

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 Kitt Potter, the City of Kingston's Director of Arts & Cultural Affair, about the upcoming Sojourner Truth statue installation and more. Click below to hear their conversation.

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

Clinton Avenue Intersection Improvements– the north sidewalk is expected to be completed and opened early next week. Work will then move to the south side for new curb installation. Traffic direction will remain one-way. Work in the intersection of Clinton and Albany Avenues will also be ongoing. 

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—service replacements will continue on Pine St with road closures and/or detours. 

Retirements for old gas pipe will be occurring throughout the project next week, crews will be working in multiple locations throughout the day.

ADA Curb Ramps—construction will continue along Cornell Street at Ten Broeck Ave, Bruyn Ave and Tremper Ave. ADA Ramps will begin along Smith Ave at Grand St. 

This project includes 56 new ADA Ramps along Cornell St, Smith Ave, Maiden Ln, and St James Street, and is anticipated to be completed in November.

Prospect Street sewer project–sewer work is continuing from St. James to Liberty. This street will be open for local traffic only. 

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. 

Weekly roadwork updates will be posted on the City website here.

ADA curb installation at Cornell & Ten Broeck this week

City of Kingston Job & Board Opportunities

The City of Kingston is hiring! The following positions are currently open: 

Wastewater Treatment Plant Mechanic II

Housing Code Inspector - Part-time vacancy

Junior Planning Aide

The City is currently looking to fill several positions within the Department of Public Works, including:

Skilled Laborer with a salary $53,459 +of + benefits

Motor Equipment Operator with a salary of $56,272 + benefits

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator with a salary of $59,344 + benefits

More information 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.

The following currently have openings:

• Zoning Board of Appeals
• Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission 
• Live Well Kingston Commission
• Complete Streets Advisory Council
• Conservation Advisory Council

Find the application at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.

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/