Mayor's Message

Mayor Noble's 2025 State of the City Address

Kingston Organics Program Update

Dietz Stadium Winter Hours

New Parks & Recreation Online Registration Platform

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

City of Kingston Board & Commission Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

As I gave my State of the City speech, which discussed the many safety projects and initiatives we have implemented or are launching this year, there were community members and activists in the crowd who had attended to share their understandable outrage at yet another cyclist/pedestrian death. I want you to know: I hear you. For this reason, I want to dispel some misinformation that may be adding more pain to an already sad situation.

First and foremost, I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Gary White and send my sincerest condolences to his loved ones. He was a valuable member of the Kingston community, and he will not be forgotten. My heart goes out to other families whose loved ones have been hurt on City streets.

The Kingston Police Department has been as open and transparent as they are able, as their investigation continues. Concerned community members can request a copy of KPD’s report, just like all other reports, by submitting a Freedom of Information Law request through the City’s website. Right now, I can say that an accident reconstruction, which is the norm in a fatal crash, was not conducted at the scene because the incident wasn’t initially fatal. Unfortunately, the victim’s injuries were much more severe than were immediately apparent. He was responsive at the scene and died hours after being taken to the hospital.

In my State of the City address, the word ‘safety’ was used more than 10 times. I want the community to know that this is a topic close to my heart and top of mind, and one that my administration works tirelessly to support. From the Grants Department that looks for funding opportunities for street projects, the Engineering Department that works with design firms and experts to implement best practices, the Public Works Department that paints our streets and crosswalks, the Health & Wellness Department that leads the Travel Well team and works closely with the Complete Streets Advisory Council, to the Police Department that enforces traffic safety, my staff work toward the goal of safe streets each and every day.

In the last two years, the City of Kingston adopted the Safe System approach, changed the speed limit to 25 miles per hour throughout the City, passed legislation to install speed cameras in school zones, constructed speed tables and installed rapid flashing beacons, conducted ‘Be a Road Hero,’ a traffic safety education campaign, and the Police Department partnered with Ulster County on multiple traffic safety enforcement campaigns.

The worst thing that can happen on a Mayor’s watch is for the community to suffer a tragic loss. We all want to live in a safer, more secure City. Let’s work together to that end. 

-Steve

Mayor Noble's 2025 State of the City Address

Mayor Noble delivered his annual State of the City address, Looking Back, Leaning Forward on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, detailing the City of Kingston’s 2024 accomplishments and announcing new initiatives launching or moving forward in 2025.

Looking back at the many achievements of 2024, Mayor Noble highlighted the following:

• Kingston Fire Department launched emergency response service to provide better and more timely medical care. The team responded to 4,500 calls for medical emergencies with over a 99% response rate.
• Major infrastructure projects completed: Wurts Street Bridge, Henry Street Safe Routes to School project, Clinton Avenue Intersection Improvements project, Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center asbestos abatement and lead remediation, Post Office Park, and the massive, multi-million-dollar Dietz Stadium project.
• The City’s first Urban Forester hired to oversee the City’s long-term tree protection and maintenance.
• City Engineering Department installed 58 new ADA curb ramps across the City. Public Works paved 20 streets.
• ARPA projects included grants to businesses that were impacted by infrastructure projects, the Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Competition, the purchase of a new parking lot at the Kingston Point Rail Trail, play equipment and bleachers for the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center, and sewer repairs.
• In partnership with Scenic Hudson, Mayor Noble proposed the City’s first Open Space acquisition, a 68-acre plot of land, known as the Rondout Uplands, to be preserved as parkland for generations to come.
• A city-wide 25 mph speed limit instituted 
• Community Preservation Fund passed to protect open spaces and natural resources with a reliable, ongoing funding source.
• Major housing initiatives including: proposed mixed-use development Downtown on vacant property, Kingston Business Park housing feasibility study, and the Barrel Factory’s mixed-use development with 12 affordable units and 100 more units being built.

Mayor Noble said, “We have made many great strides in 2024, and the State of our City is strong. We have been resilient through a global pandemic, an unprecedented housing shortage, climate-related rising tides, steep inflation, and civil unrest. Together, as a community, we have faced these challenges with strong action, smart planning, and a powerful sense of purpose.”

As a part of his State of the City address, Mayor Noble announce several initiatives launching in 2025:

• Phase 1 of city-wide wayfinding plan will include installation of over 40 gateway and directional signs.
• Kingston Point Beach improvements and ADA-upgrades and shade structure at Andretta Pool.
• Kingston Parks and Recreation new online registration platform.
• Community skate park to move forward with $650,000 State grant.
• Proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance and a new online tree map.
• Listening Tour to all nine wards.
• Request for proposals to redevelop the brownfield at 25 Field Court.
• Launch a public mixed-income housing model, which will generate new financing methods to help create new housing.
• Contract a consultant to create a comprehensive Parking Management Plan.
• Create a Sidewalk Improvement Plan to document current conditions and provide recommendations on how to manage and pay for long term sidewalk improvements.
• Allocation of $50,000 in the 2025 Budget for traffic-calming resources, including signage, rapid flashing beacons, speed tables, crosswalks, speed radar devices, and more.
• Climate Action Plan initiatives: transition to Renewable Diesel, purchase of 12 new EV vehicles for the Police Department, and 100% of the City's electric usage will be offset by a nearby solar farm.
• The Kingston Police Department will devote additional resources to traffic enforcement.
• New software platform for transparency in Planning process.

As part of Looking Back, Leaning Forward, Mayor Noble revisited the goals set forth in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2016, and announced that the City of Kingston will embark on the creation of a new Comprehensive Plan.

“Now that we have reached – or are well on our way to reaching– so many of the goals set forth in 2025 Comprehensive Plan, I invite you all to join us in creating a new Comprehensive Plan for the next 10 years. With a new Federal administration coming into office, now is the time to focus on our community here. With the Comp Plan, we can think big and envision the best future we want to see for Kingston.”

Mayor Noble concluded his speech with a call to action: “During my tenure and throughout our long history, Kingston has steadily charted our own course, and we will continue to move toward our goals of equity, inclusion, preservation, and progress…I believe, now more than ever, cities are leading the way. The best way we can protect our nation’s democracy is to serve in our own community,” said Mayor Noble. “I hope you’ll join me in reinforcing the fabric of our City, redoubling our efforts, respecting our neighbors, and reaching for the future with a focus on our values and hope in our hearts.”

Mayor Noble’s full speech and the recording of his presentation can be found at https://kingston-ny.gov/stateofthecity. 

Kingston Organics Update

The City of Kingston's free, voluntary composting program, Kingston Organics, now has 538 families registered, which means 1,086 people are enrolled!

To date, through the 11 drop-off locations, we have diverted 50.36 tons (100,720 pounds!) of food waste from the waste stream.

Registration is open for any Kingston residents who want to join. More info at https://engagekingston.com/kingston-organics.

Dietz Stadium Winter Hours

The newly renovated Dietz Stadium complex is open to the public daily from 7:15am-8:00pm (Winter hours). The stadium lights remain on until 8:00pm.

As a reminder, strollers, scooters, bicycles and pets are not allowed on the track/turf at the stadium, but the outer loop is now open! When there is snow and/or ice, the stadium will be closed. 

Parks & Recreation New Registration Platform

Kingston Parks & Recreation Department are pleased to announce the launch of a new online registration platform for programming, parks and facility reservations, payment, and more.

All existing registered users and new users can use the new site to set up a free account to conveniently:

• Register for sports leagues
• Register for adult and youth programming
• Register for environmental education programming
• Reserve a pavilion, park, or sports field
• Sign up for Rondout Neighborhood Center membership
• Sign up for summer camp
• Check out our event calendar and see new announcements
• Pay for programming using credit cards online

All new program, facility, and league registration will go through the online system. The new platform can be found at http://kingstonparksandrec.org.  

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

Prospect Street— ongoing waterline and sidewalk and curb work on Prospect Street, near the St. James and Cornell intersection.

Post Office Park is open to the public. The fencing is down and most work is complete with only punch list items left to do.

Archtop Fiber— one crew will be near Flatbush Ave and E Chester St. Farrelly St, Emerick St, Gage St, Grant St, Tammany St and Hutton St.. Additional work to be scheduled in the area placing cables to wrap up the project.

Second crew will continue in the Rondout area. They will start on Spring St, Garraghan Drive, Gallo Drive, Van Dyke Lane, Broadway, and W O’Reilly St.

Central Hudson— gas main replacement will continue on Noone Lane, Donovan Pl, and Josephine Ave with possible lane changes and/or road closures.

Post Office Park

City of Kingston Commission & Board Opportunities

The City of Kingston has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community.

The following currently have openings:



• Community Preservation Advisory Board
• Arts Commission
• Zoning Board of Appeals
• Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission 
• Live Well Kingston Commission
• Complete Streets Advisory Council
• Conservation Advisory Council



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-related 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/