July 22, 2022 - In this issue:
Mayor's Message
Covid Update
Ken G. Bryant, Jr. Memorial Basketball Courts Dedication
'Be a Road Hero' Traffic Campaign: Green Boxes
People's Place New Nutrition Policy
MAD's Celebration of the Arts Expo on Saturday
Roadwork Update for Week of July 25
Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show
Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

Hope everyone is staying cool during this intense heat wave. We have activated a Cooling Center at the 2nda Iglesia La Mision Church at 80 Elmendorf St, which is open daily from 9:00am-7:00pm.

Due to the heat wave, we are postponing the Music in the Parks event that was to take place tomorrow, and will announce the rescheduled date soon.

A reminder that we have declared a Drought Alert. Please conserve water as much as you can. Please consider taking shorter showers, running dishwashers and washing machines only when full, repairing leaky faucets and toilets, and turning off water while shaving, soaping hands, and brushing teeth. We appreciate your cooperation!

-Steve
Covid Update
There are currently 211 active cases in Ulster County and 38 in Kingston.

Latest news:
Ken G. Bryant, Jr. Memorial Basketball Court Dedication
Today. the basketball courts at Block Park were named in loving memory of Ken G. Bryant, Jr.

Ken dedicated over 25 years to giving back to the community as a volunteer coach for the City’s Youth Biddy League Basketball Program. While he was known by many as “Coach,” his teachings went far beyond basketball skills. Ken was a strong believer in carrying a positive attitude and working together. Ken also serves as the Chairman of the Kingston Parks and Recreation Commission, was a member of the City of Kingston Human Rights Commission, Ulster County Youth Bureau, and Chairman of the Bureau’s Planning Committee. Though he sadly passed away in 2012, Ken's impact on the Parks & Rec Department remains today.

Mayor Noble, the Parks & Recreation Department, the Recreation Commission and the Bryant family are pleased to honor his memory with this dedication.
'Be a Road Hero' Traffic Safety Campaign: Green Boxes
The City of Kingston continues our 'Be a Road Hero' traffic safety campaign with a tutorial on how to use the green turn boxes.

On Broadway along the two-way cycle track, you will see green turn boxes at four intersections. These allow cyclists to make turns from the cycle track. They're called "two-stage turn boxes" because it may take two maneuvers to cross traffic. Watch this helpful video!

Step one: Ride along the cycle track until you get to an intersection with a green box. Stop before the white line and look for the bicycle traffic signal. Stop when the bicycle signal is red.

Step two: When the bike signal turns green, roll into the green box and turn your bicycle the way you want to turn. Look across the street to the traffic signal. Do not cross until it turns green. (Note, users will not see a bike symbol in this signal, only when riding along the length of Broadway)

Step three: When the signal turns green, look both ways and cross with traffic as if you were in a car. Watch for cars turning right and left. Proceed on your way across the intersection to the crossroad.

For more information, please visit https://engagekingston.com/be-a-road-hero.
People's Place New Nutrition Policy
The City of Kingston’s Health & Wellness Department, supported by the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities program, partnered with People’s Place to create a Nutrition & Food Policy. The policy is a how-to guide and a commitment to increasing nutritious items in the People’s Place pantry.

This week, Mayor Noble joined the People’s Place team for a ribbon-cutting event which unveiled brand new shelving and bins, blue grocery carts, and posters with helpful nutrition info.

The City of Kingsotn recieved the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant from the New York State Department of Health to work within the community to create policy, system, and environmental changes to help make healthy choices easier.
MAD Celebration of the Arts Expo This Weekend
The Kingston Midtown Arts District Arts Expo returns with a fun, family-friendly day of free hands-on art workshops and demos in an array of disciplines.

The Celebration of the Arts Expo 2022 showcases Kingston’s creative community and will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 10am to 3:00pm at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster (behind KHS at 94 Mary’s Avenue).

This year’s Expo will feature over 15 workshops, demos and community-led art making projects. Locally-represented art forms will include community clay projects, printmaking, Mexican and Guatemalan folk arts, Chinese Brush painting, drawing, drumming, instrument making, dance and improv comedy. Other activities include a professional development workshop on telling your own artist story, a Community Mural project led by PUGG and D.R.A.W., a Media Arts Panel moderated by Stephen Blauweiss, a sound walk and a Polaroid Photo Booth with The Center for Photography.

To view the full program of activities during the 8th Annual Celebration of the Arts Expo, please visit https://madkingston.org.
Roadwork Update for Week of July 25
Paving on Prince Street from Jansen to Foxhall, Garden Street from Foxhall to Hasbrouck, and East O’Reilly from Hasbrouck to Broadway will begin next week. DPW has begun preparing the area. Milling will begin on or about Monday, July 25, 2022. Paving is expected to be completed by Friday, August 5, 2022, weather depending.

Central Hudson: Service replacements will continue next week with limited activity on Gage Street with detours and road closures.  

Work continues on the Midtown Parking Lots Green Infrastructure Improvements Project.

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 on new entrance to the Cornell Parking Lot
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 Kingston Water Department Superintendent Matthew Dysard, about the City of Kingston's recent Drought Alert, how to conserve water, and more. Click below to hear their conversation.
Kingston 311
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. 
Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
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: