August 25, 2023 - In this issue: | |
Mayor Noble's Statement on Dietz Stadium | |
Kingston African American Festival on Saturday | |
ARPA Community Events Grant Round 7 Awarded | |
'Parks Passport' Encourages Visiting Seven Kingston Parks | |
Applications Open for Parking Task Force | |
Roadwork Update for Week of August 28 | |
City of Kingston Job Opportunities | |
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Mayor's Message:
Dear Friends -
We are excited that construction has begun at Dietz Stadium, and that this important project is now well underway. There has been some questioning by the School Board about the handling of this project, and I can assure you that my team has done an excellent job managing this $20 million project, and keeping it moving forward through a pandemic and multiple other hurdles. As anyone who has embarked on a project of this magnitude can attest, changes happen along the way, but I am proud of my team for skillfully moving the project forward.
The Kingston Point Beach and Andretta Pool will close for the season on Sunday, August 27. Once the pool closes, there will be no parking at Dietz stadium. The parking lot will be completely closed for the duration of the construction.
Don't forget to weigh in about a new name for the green space at Broadway & Prince. We've gotten some great suggestions so far!
-Steve
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Statement from Mayor Noble Regarding Dietz Stadium | |
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Not only as Mayor, but as a KCSD parent, I am extremely disappointed in the School Board’s pointless accusations and clear obfuscation of their own unpreparedness.
This manufactured controversy is meant to skew attention from their obvious lack of readiness for this years-in-the-making project to begin. The School Board has had ample opportunity to prepare for the construction at Dietz Stadium, to secure fields for their athletics programs, and to ensure those fields were up to the standards that Kingston students deserve. In fact, the agreement stated that the School District would have a representative on the City of Kingston’s Recreation Commission to weigh in on Dietz Stadium issues and keep the Board apprised, yet the Board has not had a liaison present at these meetings in years.
The Dietz Stadium renovation project began in 2017, when I was able to secure a $10 million grant from New York State, and the City of Kingston began collaborating with the School District to create plans that would make Dietz Stadium a world-class facility. Though the stadium was jointly owned at the time, I was the one who took initiative to make this project happen, and my team that has kept it moving forward, through a pandemic, nonetheless.
My team has continued to secure grants to support funding the project, and grants for additional amenities that improve the stadium complex.
Now, as construction gets underway, we have 11th hour finger-pointing and threats from the School Board to pull funding from this project. A project that would restore a crumbling facility for the good of its students and the entire community.
While the City has taken reasonable steps toward necessary progress on this important project, rather than collaborate for success, the School Board is now pushing for delay. At a point when we have construction beginning– the track has been removed, the Administrative building and snack shack have been taken down, and much more visible progress-- these petty allegations, which have already shortchanged students and families, will only waste more time.
While the School Board’s concerns are unfounded, and we do not expect the Dietz Stadium project to need additional funding, if some future unanticipated request for additional funding should arise, I will work with the Common Council the School Board to address any unforeseen issues.
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Kingston African American Festival on Saturday | |
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The Fourth Annual African American Festival is a free event on Saturday, August 26 from noon to 7:00pm on the Kingston Waterfront. The parade begins at 11:00am. The festival will include an array of art, music, and food that celebrates evolving African American culture and history.
All are welcome and encouraged to participate in the festival and parade.
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ARPA Community Events Awards Round 7 | |
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The next round of APRA Community Events Grants for a total of $30,000 across six community groups has been awarded to:
Love Hair Salon ($5,000) for their 4th Annual Fantasy Hair Show at Hutton Brickyards on August 26;
Beyond the 4 Walls Outreach Program ($5k) for 6th Annual Back to School Event on Aug. 27;
Christ Everlasting Fire & Deliverance Ministry, Inc. ($5,000) for Back-to-School Bookbag Giveaway on Sept. 2;
Mainetti & Mainetti ($5,000) for their Kingston Car Show on September 16;
Rewind Kingston ($5k) for the Go All in for Mental Health festival on Sept. 23;
TMI Project ($5,000) for Voices in Action on September 28;
Tia Ashe of Love Hair Salon said, “Love Hair Salon is very grateful to be awarded an ARPA Community Events grant from the City of Kingston for our 4th Annual Fantasy Hair Show this year. Over the past years it’s been a struggle funding the hair show out of our small business. Although it is a strain, each year we have continued do so out of our love to create as artists, collaborate with other local businesses, and bring something exciting and inspiring to our community. This year’s show will be extra special and a not-to-be-missed event due to the support of the ARPA grant.”
Gregory McCollough, Founder and Executive Director of Beyond the 4 Walls said, “Beyond the 4 Walls outreach program would like to thank the City of Kingston for the ARPA events grant to help with our back-to-school event. Working together for the good of the community is always welcomed. Looking forward to working together again soon. Once again thank you for your support. It's greatly appreciated.”
Pastor Janine Thomas of Christ Everlasting Fire & Deliverance Ministry said, “Christ Everlasting Fire And Deliverance Ministry is grateful for receiving the ARPA Community Events Grant award for our Back-to-School event. We thank Mayor Noble and the ARPA program for helping us help to the community.”
Partners Michael and Alex Mainetti said, “On behalf of Mainetti & Mainetti and KUBA, we would like to say congratulations to all the award recipients of the Kingston ARPA Events Grant! Mayor Noble and the City of Kingston have enabled annual events to flourish and new events to be created, making Kingston a better City in which to live, play, and work.”
Joanne Flood, owner of Rewind Kingston said, “Rewind Kingston is so excited to receive the ARPA grant to continue our Go All In for Mental Health campaign in the heart of Midtown! We are planning a music and art street festival that promotes mental health while providing information by collaborating with local Midtown businesses and mental health organizations. Our goal is to raise awareness to the mental health crisis that faces our youth and provide information of the services and tools that exist in our community. Thank you, Mayor Steve Noble, ARPA team, and our amazing community for the continued support of a cause that is so close to our heart.”
Eva Tenuto, TMI Project, Executive Director, Co-Founder said, “TMI Project is thrilled to receive this support from Mayor Noble and the ARPA Community Events Grant Program for Voices in Action, our annual award ceremony and storytelling showcase. This is our biggest event of the year and 2023 will mark the return of Voices in Action after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Our entire community is looking forward to a night of mixing and mingling, hearing true stories, and honoring local changemakers. Laganja Estranga, drag and trans activist and contestant on Ru Paul’s Drag Race will receive this year's Voices in Action award and will grace us with a performance as well. We're grateful for the support to bring it all together!”
The 2023 Community Events Grant Program is made possible with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). More info, and the application at: www.engagekingston.com/arpa-community-events-grant-program.
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Collect All Seven Stamps in the Parks Passport | |
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The Live Well Kingston Commission’s Play Well Focus Team are pleased to launch a “Park Passport,” an online tool designed to create an interactive experience and encourage use of the City of Kingston’s diverse parks.
The goal of the Park Passport is to visit seven Kingston parks: Academy Green, Forsyth Park and Nature Center, Hasbrouck Park, Kingston Point Beach, Rotary Park at Kingston Point, Loughran Park, and TR Gallo Waterfront Park, and receive a digital stamp. Each park has a sign located near the park’s entrance with a unique QR code that can be scanned to receive that park’s stamp. The Park Passport can be viewed on a smart phone or mobile device. All seven parks in the Park Passport program have free public access to Wi-Fi. Once players have entered stamps from all seven participating parks, they will be entered in a monthly drawing for a free one-month family membership to the YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County.
Step 2 – Get a “stamp” by scanning the QR code located at each participating park. Enter your information and click submit.
Step 3 - Email us when you’ve gotten all seven stamps and you’ll be entered in the drawing for the grand prize drawing (free one-month family membership to the YMCA). One submission per household. Drawings will be held the last day of each month while supplies last.
Play Well Kingston’s Focus Team is a collective of organizations and individuals working together to develop, implement, and/or support policy, systems, and environmental change to facilitate the growth and maintenance of public parks, recreational facilities, open space, and other resources to promote safe and accessible places for physical activity for all users. Learn more about Play Well here.
Find out more about Kingston parks here https://www.kingston-ny.gov/parks
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Applications Open for Parking Task Force | |
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The City of Kingston has formed a Parking Task Force, to gather community input regarding parking issues in Kingston including, but not limited to, the business districts and during Snow Emergencies.
As the City of Kingston has recently passed a new form-based zoning code which will increase local housing stock, the task force will evaluate how to utilize existing parking resources. The task force will work toward a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a comprehensive parking management study.
Membership will consist of nine community members who live and/or work in the City of Kingston, including representatives of groups or institutions. While the focus is on residents, applications from individuals with significant ties to Kingston who are committed to equitable and sustainable economic growth may also be considered. The Parking Task Force is expected to meet periodically over 12 months.
Applications can be found here. The deadline is Friday, September 1, 2023.
More about the City of Kingston’s new form-based zoning code at https://engagekingston.com/kingston-forward.
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Roadwork Next Week & Upcoming Paving | |
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Due to rainy weather this week, paving on Shufeldt was not completed, and will be moved to Monday, August 28.
Updated Kingston Water Department valve replacement project schedule:
Week of August 28: Elmendorf between Broadway and Smith Ave.
Week of September 6 to September 11: Clinton and St. James
Week of September 12 to Sept. 18: Foxhall between Broadway and Wyncoop
The KWD valve replacement project includes installing new distribution system valves to replace inoperable valves, will allow the Water Department to better isolate the lines in critical areas in the event of issues or main breaks. The project includes replacement of critical transmission valves and improvements to our SCADA system as well.
The project will involve some lane/road closures and detours. There will also be water shutoffs for customers in the vicinity. KWD will be doing outreach to the residents in the affected areas, and will be putting door hangers on the homes/businesses that are anticipated to be without water. The Kingston Water Department Facebook page will be updated as work progresses.
Central Hudson Gas main installation will continue next week on Brewster St, Staples St, Levan St, and Delaware Ave between Broadway and Hasbrouck Ave.
Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project: crews are currently replacing storm and sewer connections at Fair Street and Henry. Another crew is installing concrete sidewalks along the north and south side of Henry Street, and installing bluestone sidewalks along the south side of Henry Street. Underground utilities are being repaired and/or replaced. Old lead lines are being removed and replaced with copper as they are discovered.
ADA Ramps Citywide: restoration has been completed on Clifton Avenue, with restoration moving to Highland Avenue at E. Chester St. and Hasbrouck Pl. Ramp construction beginning on Walnut St., E. Union St. and Gill St.
Wurts Street Bridge: No work this weekend, noise will continue to be loud on occasion while we perform steel repairs. For the week of August 28, work will include paint touch up and caulk, continued steel repairs, formwork South roof slabs, electrical conduit installation to continue, and lighting installation.
Regular roadwork updates can be found here.
|  | Blue stone sidewalk installation on Henry Street | |
City of Kingston Job Opportunities | |
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
[email protected]
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:
www.kingston-ny.gov
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