Mayor's Message

Dietz Stadium Open House on May 3

An Open Letter to the Kingston Community

Kingston Point Park Improvements Phase 2 Public Meeting

Spring Break Kick-off Event on April 10

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

Parks & Recreation Seasonal Job Opportunities

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

City of Kingston Board & Commission and Job Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

Though Dietz was open to the public in September and in time for Kingston High School’s first home football game, we will officially cut the ribbon on this expansive project in May. Our contractors continued to work through the fall and winter, completing the interior work in the grandstand, planting trees and final landscaping, and installing Wi-Fi. We know that many in the community have already been enjoying the improvements at the Dietz complex, and we invite the rest of the community to join us for an open house to check out the renovation. At the event, we will be joined by our partners at the Kingston City School District, the contractors, and elected officials to welcome all back to Dietz Stadium. We look forward to another 100 years of this complex as being a valued asset to our community.

Saturday, May 3, also marks the return of the Kingston Stockade Football Club to the stadium. After two years of playing at Marist University, the Stockade FC will have their first home game at Dietz Stadium on May 3, 2025, at 6:30pm. The full schedule can be found at https://www.stockadefc.com/.

-Steve

Dietz Stadium Open House on May 3, 2025

In celebration of the completion of the $22 million renovation project at the Robert H. Dietz Memorial Stadium, the City of Kingston and partners will host an Open House on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 1:00-3:00pm. The Open House will include a look inside the grandstand interiors at the new locker rooms and other amenities, a ribbon cutting at 1:30pm, and Hole in the Wall Donuts’ food truck will be on site.

The Dietz Stadium improvements include:

• Grandstand exterior renovations, including improved ADA access, a 50-yard line access tunnel to the locker rooms, new benches, and press box upgrades

• Interior renovations of the grandstand, including upgrades to the restrooms, new locker rooms, new mechanical/ electrical services, coaches offices, training room, and improved storage facilities

• New track surfacing, new turf field, and new LED stadium lighting

• New scoreboard with large screen broadcasting

• All new underground utilities: water, sewer, storm, electric & communications

• Removal of the old concession building and admin building and construction of a new 100’ x 36’ open-air pavilion with food truck hook-ups, concession booth, and referee locker room

• Visitor side concession area with two restrooms

• Expanded grassed practice area with track & field equipment storage building

• New gated ticket booth grandstand entrance

• Bus parking at stadium entrance, new parking lots with green infrastructure

• Improved access loop road and sidewalks around the stadium

• Two-way access/egress to Hurley Avenue as well as Joys Lane

• Relocated basketball court with benches and lighting

• Pedestrian access/egress walk to Joys Lane near Kingstone Insurance

• New stadium perimeter fencing

• Improved Wi-Fi and security cameras

• Landscaping, including 120+ new trees

The Dietz Stadium Improvements Project was kick-started with $2.5 million from the City of Kingston’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative award which helped create the Dietz Stadium Master Plan and designs as well as funding portions of Phase 1, such as the Andretta Pool Improvements and the installation of a new splash pad. The City of Kingston received two New York State grants for green infrastructure improvements to the parking lot and surrounding drive, $1.5 million from the Environmental Facilities Corporation and $1 million from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The project was funded in partnership with the KCSD. More info about the project can be found at https://engagekingston.com/dietz-stadium-improvements.

The facility is managed by the staff of the Parks and Recreation Department, led by Lynsey Timbrouck in partnership with KCSD staff. The stadium is open to the public when not in use for school athletics and band practices. A public schedule is now available here.

The Dietz renovation project was part of a multi-phased, comprehensive restoration of the larger complex, which included the Andretta Pool Improvements Project that began in spring 2020 and was completed in 2023. Improvements included a new roof and masonry repairs at the pool house, pool lining repairs, a new pump and filter, and a splash pad. The combined investment in the Dietz Stadium/Andretta Pool complex totals $26 million.

Dietz Stadium was originally founded by the Fairgrounds Company in 1921 as a baseball field. In 1937, a WPA project created a running track and football field. In 1954, the municipal stadium was renamed Dietz Memorial Stadium in honor of the late Sargent Robert H. Dietz, who was a World War II hero awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, a Kingston resident and Kingston High School graduate.

An Open Letter to the Kingston Community

As most of you already know, the holding companies associated with the William Gottleib Real Estate Company’s properties have sued the City numerous times. This litigation has successfully stalled the creation of much-needed housing units Uptown with the Kingstonian project, has stalled the removal of a deteriorating structure that presents a hazard for residents and visitors, and has cost the City of Kingston and its taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Now, another law firm, Stenger, Glass, Hagstrom, Lindars & Iuele, has adopted a new tactic of overwhelming the City of Kingston with Freedom of Information requests. What this new representation is looking for, is anyone’s guess, but my suspicion is that they are looking for other areas to frivolously litigate us into oblivion.

All the while, the many properties that Neil Bender owns in Uptown Kingston sit empty. The face of Uptown has changed over the last several years. A once vibrant area for shops, restaurants, and businesses becomes quieter by the day. I suspect that much of Bender’s opposition to the removal of the Pike Plan canopies is that once daylight shines on the storefronts, the blight of his empty buildings will be abundantly clear.

I want the residents of Kingston to understand just how much of a burden these endless lawsuits and fishing expeditions cost the taxpayers. How the existing Uptown businesses suffer from having empty neighboring properties, and who live under the threat of constant suing, and watch as any would-be investment in Uptown gets syphoned off in legal battles.

We have an oligarch infiltrating our community who is attempting to use his deep pockets to break the City of Kingston. Despite constantly losing, he and his attorneys will not stop. They have a seemingly endless capacity to sue, regardless of how many times their claims are tossed or ruled against.

Unfortunately, it is not easy to stop frivolous lawsuits and in New York State, there are no repercussions against individuals or law firms who use our Freedom of Information Laws against communities.

But I believe we are stronger than one individual (and his many law firms). I urge anyone who would like to let Neil Bender know that his tactics are not welcome in our community, to write him a postcard, c/o 353 W. 12^th Street, NYC 10014 and tell him to STOP SUING THE CITY and invest his time and piles of money into making Uptown Kingston the destination it deserves to be.

Your mayor,

Steve Noble

Spring Break Kick-off Event at City Hall

City Hall will host a special spring break kick-off event for youth and families on Thursday, April 10 at 4:00pm. The event is free, open to the public, and appropriate for ages 8 and up.

The event celebrates the legacy of Isabella Baumfree, who was enslaved in Ulster County before she bravely took her first step to freedom and later became Sojourner Truth. The event will begin at 4:00pm with performances by actress Aixa Kendrick portraying Sojourner Truth and Ghanian drummer/singer/storyteller Maxwell Kofi Donkor. The event will also feature a photobooth courtesy of My Kingston Kids.

On the first floor at City Hall, the bronze statue Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom, on loan from SUNY New Paltz, is on view until August 2025. On the ground floor, the FREEDOM! art exhibition is also on view until August.

RSVPs are required, and all children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please RSVP your entire party to kpotter@kingston-ny.gov. Special thanks to the Radio Kingston Community Tech Team for support.

For more information, please visit https://engagekingston.com/sojourner-truth-first-step-to-freedom. 

Kingston Point Park Project Phase 2 Public Meeting

A public meeting for Phase 2 of the Kingston Point Park Improvements Project will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 5:00pm at City Hall.

The Kingston Point Park Infrastructure Improvements Project, which is a part of the Weaving the Waterfront shoreline resiliency and climate adaptation efforts, has been divided into two phases. Phase 1, which was completed in 2022, included parking lot improvements, the creation of a youth soccer field, a new playground, new landscaping, tree planting, and bioswales for stormwater.

In Phase 2 of the project, half of the existing parking lot on the south side of Delaware Avenue will be designed and constructed to facilitate a natural wetland. The other half of the existing parking lot will be raised to prevent future flooding and will remain in use for parking. The parking area will have over 50 spaces, including four handicapped spaces. Phase 2 will provide improved access to the BMX bike facility, softball field, and dog park and will enhance the existing connection to the Empire State Trail with new crosswalks, sidewalks, and pathways.

Brinnier & Larios PC was selected as the engineering firm to advance the Phase 2 design, which will be available in late April. Design and permitting will continue through spring 2025 and construction is expected to begin fall 2025.

As part of the evaluation and design phase, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) conducted a wetland delineation of the site in 2019.

The City has received $654,500 in funding from the New York Department of State. The total project budget for Phase 2 is $770,000.

More at https://engagekingston.com/kingston-point-park-project.

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

Mayor Noble's weekly radio show, "It's the Mayor" airs on Tuesdays at 5:00pm on Radio Kingston.

Last week, Mayor Noble spoke with Kingston Parks & Recreation Director Lynsey Timbrouck about summer camp, programming, the new registration system, and more. Click below to hear their conversation.

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

Waterline replacement work will continue on Prospect Street in the area of Cedar Street. Prospect Street between Henry and Cedar will be closed except for local traffic.

Central Hudson– starting Tuesday, April 8, Central Hudson will begin paving restoration in heavily impacted areas of the following streets:

Day 1 -- Washington Ave

Day 2 -- Donovan Place, Noone Lane, Linderman Ave (milling)

Day 3 -- Donovan Place, Noone Lane, Linderman Ave (paving)

Day 4 -- Fair Street

Day 5 -- South Wall Street

Day 6 -- South Pine

Day 7 -- North Wilbur

Day 8 -- South Clinton, Barmann, South Prospect, Hilton (milling)

Day 9 -- South Clinton, Barmann, South Prospect, Hilton (paving)

Day 10-11 -- Greenkill Ave bike lanes

Days are estimated and subject to change due to weather. Streets will be posted No Parking 24 hours in advance. Vehicles not moved will be towed.

The week of April 7, Central Hudson gas main installation will begin on Fairview Avenue, starting at Merilina Ave and working toward Howland Ave. Expect lane and/or road closures to through traffic.

Archtop Fiber–  one crew will be working to wrap up East Chester St. A second crew will be working on Alison Ct, Amy Ct, Hillcrest Ave, Hillsworth Ave, Arlmont St, Beckett St & Loughran Ct. A third crew will be working on Marius St & Glen St. Please be aware that final restorations will be picking up soon.

The weekly roadwork update can be found on the City website here.

Parks & Recreation Seasonal Job Opportunities

The Parks & Recreation team is looking for energetic and outgoing applicants for summer job opportunities!

Positions include:

· Summer Camp Director

· Summer Camp Counselor

· Lifeguard -- contact our office if you need assistance with certification!

· Pool Attendant

· Tennis Instructor

· Park Ranger

· Laborer

Please call 845-481-7330 for more info or to apply! More at the Rec Desk site. 

City of Kingston Job and Board/Commision Opportunities

The City of Kingston is hiring! The City has an immediate opening for a full-time Traffic Electrician, part-time Housing Inspector, and other job openings.

• Traffic Electrician
• Motor Equipment Operator
• Heavy Motor Equipment Operator

The City of Kingston is also offering the following Civil Service exams, among others:

• Garage Foreman on June 14

For more exams and additional information on exams and job opportunities, please visit https://kingston-ny.gov/employment

The City has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community. The following currently have openings:

• Ethics Board
• Recreation Commission
• Conservation Advisory Council
• Zoning Board of Appeals
• Kingston Local Development Corporation Board

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 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/