Dear Friends,

As I watched videos from Wednesday's Planning Board Public Hearing, I was moved by the passion and commitment of all who shared their thoughts on The Kingstonian, a proposed mixed use project in Uptown. It was clear that every person who spoke did so because they love our community. Like with any major issue, we have a lot of tough conversations ahead of us. But like so many times before, I believe that our city will continue to grow stronger, not in spite of these different perspectives, but because of them.

Our city has diverse needs. As Mayor, I have sought to respond to those needs through a comprehensive approach. When we submitted our second DRI application, we meticulously studied the grant, as well our Comprehensive Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, various transportation plans, housing studies, historic data, health research, and job studies. As you know, that work resulted in our successful DRI application, which proposed a variety of projects to respond to a wide array of issues and needs cited in the above plans. For example, the Dietz Stadium and Andretta Pool Project is a vital part of advancing the strategies set forth in our Parks and Recreation Master Plan. It will also allow us to attract major events that will benefit our city as a whole. We included both the preservation of the Frog Alley Ruins and the restoration of the Volunteer Firemen's museum in an effort to protect our valuable historic assets. And we included a mixed use project in the heart of Uptown to address the severe parking shortage, to develop more public recreational space, and to increase density, as recommended in our Comprehensive Plan.

 

The Kingstonian is a major project - there's no question about it - and it is going to spur a lengthy and robust dialogue. The concerns brought forward during this process are important and will not only inform and shape this project, but also serve as a guide for our community as we continue to navigate key issues such as housing, transportation, employment, and more going forward.

I hope that the community's engagement with regards to affordable housing will continue beyond this project. The Kingston Planning Board, the same body that held the Kingstonian meeting, will be holding another public meeting on April 22 regarding Landmark Place - a project that would add 66 affordable housing units to our community by adapting and revitalizing a beautiful historic building. And I hope you will all stand with me to welcome Energy Square, with its 57 units of affordable housing, when it opens its doors next year. I am happy to say that Governor Clinton Apartments and the Yosman Towers are getting much-needed renovations.

 

Let me be clear: we still need more quality affordable housing in our community. Through the development of our new Kingston City Land Bank, bolstered by a $3 million grant we secured last year, we have the opportunity to make a real impact. But creating affordable housing is only one piece of this complex puzzle.

 

Too many of our neighbors are struggling with or at-risk of homelessness or are living in unsafe or unsanitary conditions. I am committed to finding effective ways to hold landlords responsible when they are not addressing issues of safety, without putting tenants at further risk of losing their housing. As the Common Council wraps up their Housing Hearings, we will begin to discuss bringing forth meaningful legislation to respond and proactively address the common issues that have been raised. I believe that we can protect and expand the rights of tenants and support our local property owners and responsible landlords.

I have heard the concerns from voices across our City, and I want you to know that I am listening. My administration will be addressing these issues. In fact, right now, the City is working on its next Consolidated Plan, which includes its Fair Housing Plan. We want community input. In just a couple of weeks, I will be hosting a strategy session to discuss Fair Housing policies and procedures with local organizations.

 

I know we have work to do. I am dedicated to working with the community to  achieve these goals. 

-Steve