Drought Emergency Remains in Effect

Kingston Forward: Zoning Draft II Released

Wilbur Avenue Paving Project to Begin

Emergency Tenant Protection Act - Info Meetings

Economic Recovery Plan Manager Hired

Hooley on the Hudson on Sunday

Kingston Public Library Renovations

Roadwork Update for Week of September 6

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

We continue to add to our growing portfolio of construction projects. This week, we announced the Wilbur Ave paving project will begin soon, and the next round of paving will be Van Buren Street (September 13) and Clifton Avenue (September 22-30). 

We also announced that our ARPA Manager will be starting soon. We are thrilled to have Bill Reynolds join the City of Kingston and begin managing our Economic Recovery Plan. With his many years of State and local government experience, he will ably oversee the numerous projects that will be funded and come to fruition as result of the Federal infusion.  

-Steve

We remain in a Drought Emergency Stage II for all City of Kingston water customers for the foreseeable future.

The following measures will be in effect:

• NO use of water from the KWD to fill or maintain the water level in any swimming pool.
• NO use of water from the KWD to water any lawn, golf course, ornamental shrub or plant, except that water may be used to irrigate, from a hand held container only, vegetables or fruits grown for human consumption.
• All air conditioning systems utilizing water from the KWD should be operated only in accordance with hourly restrictions established by the Superintendent.
• All large, nonresidential water consumers must immediately reduce usage by at least 20%.

Violations of these regulations will be punishable by fines and penalties. Water service may be terminated for violations of any provision of this regulation or for any waste of water.

The complete Rules and Regulations restricting water use during the Drought Emergency may be found at http://www.kingston-ny.gov/water or by calling the Kingston Water Department at 845-331-0175.

Conservation Tips

• Fix leaky faucets immediately.
• Only run washing machines and dishwashers when full.
• Turn off water while brushing your teeth, which can save up to 4 gallons with each brushing. If everyone in the City does this twice each day, we could save 200,000 gallons of water each day, or 5% of our daily usage in the City of Kingston. 
• Use low-flow fixtures and showerheads.

For updated information, please follow www.facebook.com/KingstonNYWater.

Wilbur Ave Paving Project Starts September

The Wilbur Avenue Paving Project, which will pave Wilbur Avenue (NYS Route 213) from just south of Greenkill Avenue to just north of West O’Reilly, will begin in early September and is expected to be completed by November. The full project completion with guiderails and signage installation is expected by December 2022. No full roadway closures are anticipated. During construction, one-way alternating traffic will be maintained for the duration, however, drivers are encouraged to seek other routes.

The anticipated total cost of the project is $1,370,100, with $1,086,400 in funding provided by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Surface Transportation Flex Program, and $203,700 provided by NY State Marchiselli Funds.

In a separate paving project which was recently approved by the Common Council, Wilbur Avenue from West O’Reilly to Abeel Street and Greenkill Avenue to the upper project limit will be paved this season using local funds.

More information on the Wilbur Avenue Paving Project can be found at https://engagekingston.com/wilburave. 

Zoning Draft II Released + Public Meeting

The City of Kingston has, as a part of the Kingston Forward rezoning initiative, released a second draft of the proposed zoning code, which will be presented at a public meeting on September 15, 2022, at 6:00pm at City Hall. 

The second draft reflects community feedback to the first draft. Significant changes in the second draft include:

• Revisions to the affordable housing standards including an increase in the number of affordable units required for larger projects, additional incentives for affordable housing for Conservation Village Plans (CVPs), and new enforcement provisions.
• A new program to incentivize public open space along the waterfront
• Citywide restrictions on non-owner-occupied short-term rentals
• Adjustments to Regulating Maps, and clarifications to standards throughout in response to community questions and feedback

At the hybrid public meeting, representatives from Dover Kohl and the City of Kingston will provide an overview of the changes from the first draft. 



Zoning Code Draft II Public Presentation

September 15, 2022

6:00pm

City Hall Council Chambers & via Zoom

Registration is required

The draft code sets new standards that address community goals, such as increased walkability and historic preservation, improving housing choice and affordability, supporting resiliency, mobility choice and healthy lifestyles through public open space, waterfront, and street design standards, and by removing barriers for small, incremental development.

The public comment period for the second draft will be open until September 30, 2022. The revised draft can be found here.

ETPA Informational Meetings

The City of Kingston, in partnership with New York’s Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), will hold three public information sessions regarding the newly passed Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA).

Mayor Noble signed the Emergency Tenant Protection Act legislation into law on July 29, 2022 and is in effect as of August 1, 2022. More than 1,200 tenants now qualify for rent stabilization and other protections. Qualifying apartment buildings are all those constructed prior to 1974 with six or more units, including Dutch Village, Stony Run, and Fairview Gardens, among others. Government-subsidized or publicly owned buildings, such as those overseen by the Kingston Housing Authority, are not included under the ETPA. A full list of qualifying properties can be found here.

At the informational meetings, City staff and DHCR will explain the ETPA law, the rights of eligible tenants, and the next steps for implementing ETPA in Kingston. Over two days, the City of Kingston will hold two information sessions for tenants.

September 20, 2022

ETPA Informational Session for Tenants

City Hall Council Chambers & hybrid via Zoom

6:30-8pm

Register in advance for the virtual meeting here.

September 22, 2022

ETPA Informational Session for Tenants

Kingston Public Library (in-person only)

55 Franklin Street

6:00-8:00pm

The City of Kingston will also host a hybrid informational session for property owners on September 20, 2022 at 5:00pm in Council Chambers at City Hall and via Zoom. Advance registration for the Zoom is required. Property owners can register for the virtual option here.

The City’s Department of Housing Initiatives will oversee the implementation of ETPA in coordination with New York State’s DHCR. A fact sheet can be found here. For additional information about the implementation process and resources in Spanish, see https://hcr.ny.gov/city-of-kingston-adopts-etpa.

ARPA Manager Hired

Mayor Noble has hired a Project Manager to oversee Kingston’s American Rescue Plan Act funding, Bill Reynolds, who will start on September 12, 2022.

Reynolds has 33 years of professional experience managing public affairs and communications for New York State government. Under the administration of Governor Kathy Hochul, Reynolds served as the Media Services Director of the NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs; the Communications Director at the NYS Office of the Inspector General; and the Communications Director at the NYS Department of Transportation. Reynolds received his BA in Communications from the State University of New York at Brockport.  He served as Ward 7 Alderman from 1994 to 2011, and the Majority Leader of the Common Council from 1996 to 2011. A lifelong resident of Ulster County, he has been living in Kingston for 30 years.

This 4-year position will be supported by the City of Kingston’s ARPA funding.

APRA Background: After months of engaging residents, businesses and community leaders, the City of Kingston released a draft of the Economic Recovery Plan, an outline for allocating the $17.3 million ARPA funding. The Economic Recovery Plan was created using federal guidelines, community input, plans for existing projects, and community feedback for new initiatives to support pandemic recovery. The full Plan can be found here.  

Hooley on the Hudson on Sunday

Kingston Public Library Renovations

The Kingston Library has been working on a major renovation plan for the last 10 years. This plan included recent renovations to the Children’s and Teen rooms and improvements to the outdoor spaces. The Library is now putting forward a proposal to fund the remaining renovations through a bond.

Join the Kingston Public Library for a Community Information Session

to discuss the project on Thursday, September 8, 6–8:00pm and then vote! 

Two ways to vote: In-person on Tuesday, Sept 20, 2022, from 10:00am to 8:00pm at the Kingston Library (55 Franklin St), or pick up an absentee ballot at the Library and return it by September 20 at 8:00pm.

Roadwork Update for Week of September 6

Central Hudson will be wrapping up work on Clifton Ave later in the week. Road closures and detours will be in place. A service replacement crew will be working on Farrelly St. 

Franklin Street Complete Streets Project to date, new granite curb and new bluestone sidewalks have been installed from Wall Street to Prospect on the north side and are near completion. Work will begin soon from Prospect Street to Broadway. Central Hudson continues relocating poles in the upcoming weeks.

Midtown Parking Lots Green Infrastructure construction continues on the Cornell Street parking lot. Paving will begin next week for the remaining porous pavement parking areas and along Thomas Street.

The porous pavement parking areas on the east side have been constructed and the concrete curb installed. Construction continuous on the bioifiltration practices.

Regular Roadwork Updates are posted on the City's website here. More info about paving projects can be found at https://kingston-ny.gov/paving.

Construction at the Cornell Street Parking Lot 

Mayor Noble hosts a weekly radio show on Tuesdays at 5:00pm which airs live on Radio Kingston and the City of Kingston Facebook page.

This week, Mayor Noble spoke with City of Kingston's Director of Housing Initiatives, Bartek Starodaj about the second draft of the revised zoning code.