Mayor's Message

Comment Period Ends Tomorrow for Zoning Rewrite

Dietz Stadium Improvement Project Update

Proposal to Convert Stony Run Apartments to Workforce Housing

Age Well Events for Seniors Starting in March

ARPA Small Business Grant Program

Ole Savannah Winter Fest - All Weekend!

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

We have an update this week on the Dietz Stadium project, which is moving forward with construction beginning this spring. We are pleased to share the final designs with the public, which are available at EngageKingston.com.

This exciting project is a once-in-a-generation investment that will transform the Dietz Stadium complex into a regional draw, a modernized facility that will be the pride of our community.

The stadium will be closed to the public once construction begins, so we ask for the public’s patience during this time.

-Steve

Public Comment Ends Tomorrow for Proposed Zoning Code

A reminder that the public comment on the City of Kingston’s proposed form-based code closes tomorrow. Make your voice heard by submitting a public comment on the City’s proposed form-based code. Written public comment is due by Saturday, February 18 at 1:00pm. Written comments can be sent to City Clerk Elisa Tinti at [email protected].

If you missed it, view the official Laws & Rules Committee Public hearing on the Form-Based Code from February 13, 2023 by clicking here.

Why Reform The Zoning Code?

• Create a larger supply of affordable housing. The updated zoning code mandates that 10% of units in any development with 7 or more units be affordable, and incentivizes additional levels of affordability via site plan discounts, height bonuses, and expedited review. It also allows for more diversity in housing types, such as duplexes, triplexes, and other multi-family residences, to meet a wide range of needs and price points.
• Legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs). ADUs are small housing units built on the land of pre-existing homes. Allowing the construction of ADUs could increase housing supply, generate extra income for homeowners, and provide nearby yet separate residences for families with an aging parent or young adult.
• Regulate short-term rentals. The updated zoning code places a strict cap on short-term rentals equal to 1% of the city's long term housing units (approximately 100 units). Any short-term rental currently registered for operation would count toward the citywide cap, and a single property would not be able to have more than one short-term rental. These changes will prevent short-term rental activity from affecting long-term housing supply.
• End parking requirements. Arbitrary citywide parking requirements often render new housing development unviable and hinder the launch of small businesses. Developers will be able to determine what amount of parking an area requires, making effective use of space and increasing walkability. 
• Legalize corner stores. Corner stores and other mixed-use developments increase Kingston’s walkability and ensure easy access to goods and services.
• Ensure the right new development. The updated code ensures that new developments will fit in with their surroundings, preserving Kingston's historic urban form.

More information can be found at https://engagekingston.com/kingston-forward

Dietz Stadium Improvements Project Update

The Dietz Stadium/Andretta Pool Improvements Project is a the $20 million improvement project to renovate and modernize the stadium complex. Dietz Stadium construction drawings are now complete and the bid preparation process is underway. Once construction begins, the project is expected to take 14-16 months.

Phase 1 of the project is already complete, including the pool house exterior, pool improvements and repairs, and the installation of a splash pad. As part of Phase 2, construction began in September 2022 on a complete renovation of the pool house interior and is expected to be completed this spring.

The remainder of Phase 2 is focused on the stadium and surroundings. Pre-construction work such as sub-soil borings, hazardous material testing, and site clearing began in the fall. The site has remained open to the public for use of the track, loop road, and parking lots during this initial pre-construction phase, but will close for construction.

Dietz Stadium renovations include: 

• Exterior renovations of the grandstand, including ADA access, a 50-yard line access tunnel to 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, ie. water, sewer, storm, electric & comms

• New open-air pavilion with food truck hook-ups, concession booth, and referee locker room

• Visitor side concession area with two restrooms

• Expanded grass practice area with a 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

More information, including the design documents, can be found at https://engagekingston.com/dietz-stadium-andretta-pool-improvements. 

Stony Run Workforce Housing Conversion Proposed

This week Mayor Noble presented a plan to convert all 266 units at the Stony Run apartment complex from market rate to workforce housing, which was approved by the Laws & Rules Committee, and will be considered by the full Council at the March meeting.

At Wednesday’s Laws & Rules Committee meeting, Mayor Noble and the property owners, Aker, presented a plan to establish a non-profit Housing Development Trust Fund to create long-term affordable housing with no PILOT agreement. This regulatory agreement would prohibit the apartment complex from being market rate for 40 years.

Under this agreement, all current Stony Run tenants will continue to receive all ETPA protections as currently in place in the City of Kingston. All new tenants will have to meet AMI requirements and all rents will be capped at no more than 120% AMI. The property will remain on the tax roll; no PILOT is being requested. The agreement would also require that reserve funds be set up for maintenance and repair costs.

“My administration has been working with the owners of this property to develop a solution that would create long-term affordability while also helping to protect current and future residents and making sure necessary upgrades are made to the facility. I am happy to report we have come up with proposal that we believe is in the best interest of the City and the tenants of the facility,” said Mayor Noble. “I believe this is an innovative approach to take a market rate apartment complex and convert it to a workforce housing complex while ensuring that both current and future tenants have a well-kept and fiscally sound housing facility. I encourage other market rate apartment complexes to consider this unique approach to creating affordability.”

To watch the presentation at the Laws & Rules meeting, visit the City of Kingston’s YouTube channel. 

Age Well Kingston's Free Event Series in March

Live Well Kingston's Age Well group is hosting two free event series for seniors beginning in March:

Chair Zumba will be held Tuesdays at 11:00am from March 7 to March 28 at the Big Bubble.

The Midtown Walking Group will meet Mondays from March 6 to April 10 at 11:00am at the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center gym.

These events are great for older adults wanting to increase their physical activity while moving at their own pace. It’s a supportive environment, so don’t be shy to sign up alone, it’s a great way to meet new people. The events are designed to be fun, easy and accessible to individuals with disabilities.

To learn more, visit http://livewellkingston.org.

ARPA Small Business Grant Program

The City of Kingston has opened applications for the ARPA Small Business Grant Program. The City has allocated $1,000,000 of its $17.3 million ARPA award to aid local businesses in responding to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19. 

Grant awards of up to $10,000 each will help businesses keep their doors open, protect local jobs threatened by the pandemic, support community recovery, and increase resiliency.  

The grant application is due Friday, March 17, 2023. Further details and the application are available at Engage Kingston. 

Ole Savannah Winter Fest - Events all Weekend

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

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 the City's Economic Recovery Manager Bill Reynolds about ARPA funded initiatives, including the Small Business Grant Program and the 2023 Community Events Grant Program. Click below to hear their conversation.