August 9, 2024 - In this issue: | |
Mayor Noble's Statement Regarding Ongoing Litigation Threats | |
25 MPH City-wide Speed Limit Approved | |
Midtown Business Alliance Free Workshop | |
Mayor Noble's Listening Tour - Wards 5 & 6 | |
20th Annual Antique Fire Engine Muster Tomorrow | |
Ulster County Arts & Culture Plan Survey | |
Rep Pat Ryan's Social Security & Medicare Resource Fair | |
City of Kingston Job Opportunities | |
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Mayor's Message:
Dear Friends -
Are you interested in local housing issues? Help your community by serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals and work to implement the City's new form-based zoning code. Apply here!
Tonight's outdoor music/movie event is being rescheduled due to the rain. The Music in the Parks event with Soul City Band has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, August 14 from 7:00-8:30pm at TR Gallo Park. See you Wednesday!
-Steve
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Kingston Mayor Noble's Statement Regarding Litigation | |
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The City of Kingston continues to be threatened by a New York-based developer who has repeatedly burdened Kingston taxpayers with lawsuit after lawsuit to meet his own real estate goals.
Representatives of William Gottlieb Real Estate have recently visited Uptown businesses to collect signatures to advance their claims against the City of Kingston. That the real estate conglomerate, which represents a billionaire who has purchased and sat on empty properties in Uptown Kingston, is claiming to have the best interest of Uptown businesses in mind, is dishonest at best. William Gottlieb Real Estate has used questionable methods in the past, and -- in addition to challenging local affordable housing requirements under the guise of promoting “environmental” issues, has used its seemingly limitless resources to harass neighboring mom-and-pop businesses with nuisance lawsuits or legal threats.
In advance of the Common Council’s vote to remove the Pike Plan canopies, the City of Kingston recently had six Notices of Claim filed from each of the buildings that William Gottlieb Real Estate owns under different corporate LLCs. These lawsuits have besieged the City’s resources, drained taxpayer dollars, and stalled necessary community improvements from moving forward.
Kingston has done everything it reasonably can to help Uptown thrive and will continue working to improve this historic neighborhood. We are taking the reasonable measure to remove the city-owned canopy, which is beyond its useful life. And now once again, our efforts are being threatened at every corner by this billion-dollar real estate company. This is a true David versus Goliath situation, with a deep-pocketed corporation —one facing multiple lawsuits of its own for allegedly failing to pay workers and provide heat during the winter— choking off economic development. Nevertheless, we will keep doing what is in the best interest of our community.
As elected officials representing Kingston residents, our first responsibility is the health and safety of our residents. That often requires prioritizing resources to ensure that Kingston is able to meet the demands of our residents, while also making fiscally sound decisions for the next generation of Kingston residents.
If we do not move forward with the Pike Plan removal as planned, and which William Gottlieb Real Estate is now trying to stop, the price tag for rebuilding the canopy is at least $10 million, with an additional estimated $150,000 in maintenance costs each year going forward. The owners of the Uptown buildings will bear this financial burden, according to the easements granted at the time. The annual Pike Plan tax in year one will be at a minimum of $12,500 plus an additional $3,750 in annual maintenance fees per property. That is $16,250 per property per year for at least the next 20 years in addition to the non-homestead property taxes already being paid. These costs all but assure that only businesses owned by wealthy corporations like William Gottlieb Real Estate can survive.
These lawsuits not only negatively affect the progress of the Uptown business district, but they also have an immediate cost to Kingston taxpayers, just as the previous 16+ frivolous lawsuits directed at redeveloping the former parking garage site did. Kingston taxpayers foot the bill and we expect these recent lawsuits will cost at least $200,000 over the next few months.
Although the Common Council is not voting on the authorization to fund the Pike Plan removal tonight, as we are completing our planning documents, I am committed to fighting for Kingston taxpayers as William Gottlieb Real Estate attempts once again to tie the city up in court, impeding business development in our beautiful Uptown business district for its own selfish gain.
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Mayor Signs 25 MPH Speed Limit | |
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The Common Council has approved the Mayor's proposed citywide 25-mile per hour speed limit in the City of Kingston.
Mayor Noble said, "I want to thank the Common Council for unanimously passing the citywide 25-mile per hour speed limit. Over the next few weeks, our Department of Public Works will be replacing speed signage throughout Kingston to reflect the change. I ask drivers to be aware of the decrease in speed limit and begin to reduce your speed as you watch for sign changes. I have heard from many residents that their biggest concern is traffic safety and am confident that this new speed limit is an important step to reduce crashes and increase safety, while we continue to work to improve our infrastructure and educate the public."
The 25-mile per hour speed limit will be implemented citywide, with some exceptions. School zones will be set at 15-miles per hour for certain times and days, as is the Webster Street hospital zone. All roads under NYSDOT jurisdiction, including Albany Avenue from Broadway to the city line, I-587 /Colonel Chandler Drive, 9W, and the section of Wurts Street on the bridge will remain as marked. The following streets, which are more rural in nature, will remain at 30-miles per hour: Abeel Street from Wilbur Avenue to the city line, Boulevard from Golden Hill Drive to the city line, and Flatbush Avenue from E. Chester Street to the city line.
Kingston participated in Ulster County’s Safe Start to Summer road safety campaign, launched by Ulster County in partnership with the Ulster County Transportation Council and Traffic Safety Board, the Sheriff’s Office, and state and local law enforcement, which wrapped up in mid-July. The coalition is planning to launch the “Safe Start to School” road safety campaign in early September. These road safety campaigns are aimed at awareness about the dangers of speeding and distracted driving and promote a culture of safety and respect on roadways in an effort to save lives. As part of this enforcement campaign, the Kingston Police Department will focus enforcement efforts in the neighborhoods around schools and other high traffic and high pedestrian and cyclist areas. More about Safe Start to School at https://participate.ulstercountyny.gov/road-safety.
Mayor Noble’s efforts to create a safe, walkable and bikeable City include the creation of a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, a strategy document that builds on completed projects that include safety features such as improved intersections, signals and sidewalks. Completed projects include the Broadway Streetscape Project, Broadway Grand Intersection Improvements Project, the Franklin Street Complete Streets Project, Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project and the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan Intersection Project, among others. Current or upcoming projects include citywide ADA curb ramp replacements, Safe and Accessible Flatbush & Foxhall, Uptown Transportation Improvements Projects, and more to come.
Under Mayor Noble’s administration, the Kingston Point Rail Trail Phase 1 (Phase 2 is under design) and the Midtown Linear Park have been created, both of which provide off-street paths and connections for walking and biking. The Kingston Greenline is a network of urban trails, complete streets, improved sidewalks, bike lanes, and linear parks in the City of Kingston. More information on Kingston’s Be a Road Hero safety campaign can be found at https://engagekingston.com/be-a-road-hero.
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Free Midtown Business Workshop | |
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The Midtown Business Alliance is hosting a free workshop on Monday, August 12 to help business owners create and optimize their Google business profiles.
The workshop will be facilitated in English and Spanish, and is beginner-friendly. More information at the event page.
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Mayor Noble's Listening Tour | |
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Mayor Noble continues his Listening Tour with a Ward 5 meeting on Monday, August 12 at the Good Work Institute at 5:30pm. All Ward 5 residents and business owners are welcome and encouraged to attend!
The Ward 6 meeting will be Monday, September 16 at Landmark Place. Mark your calendar!
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20th Annual Antique Fire Engine Muster | |
The Volunteer Fireman's Hall & Museum will host the 20th Annual Antique Fire Engine Muster on Saturday, August 10 from 10am to 3pm at the musuem at 265 Fair Street. | |
Ulster County Arts & Culture Plan | |
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Ulster County is creating its first-ever Arts and Culture Plan, a year-long initiative to craft a shared vision for the county’s arts and culture landscape. .
Share your thoughts through the Community Participation Survey. The survey is open until August 31, 2024, and is available in both English and Spanish.
Whether you're an artist, an art lover, or simply enjoy cultural events, your input will help shape a plan that benefits everyone. By participating, you'll contribute to strategies that enhance access to arts and cultural events, drive economic growth, promote social equity, and celebrate our unique heritage. Your insights will help develop goals that align with a collective vision of a thriving, prosperous, and culturally vibrant county.
Ulster County will hold a public meeting on August 27 at City Hall in Kingston. More info on the event here.
More on the Ulster County Arts & Culture Plan at https://participate.ulstercountyny.gov/arts-culture-plan.
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Social Security and Medicare Resource Fair | |
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Congressman Pat Ryan is hosting a Social Security resource fair on August 16 in Esopus from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Representatives from the Social Security office, as well as representatives from the VA and Medicare will be there alongside caseworkers from our office to assist residents with their benefits.
Where: Esopus Community Center – 1 Town Hall Way, Ulster Park, NY 12487
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Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update | |
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Central Hudson-- Service replacements will continue on Wall St and Pine St with possible lane and/or road closures.
Paving-- Broadway from West O’Reilly Street to McEntee Street will be milled and paved. Milling is expected to begin the week of Monday, August 19 and paving is expected to be completed by Friday August 23, weather depending. During milling and paving operations, all vehicles must remain off the street. The Water Department will be repairing a manhole on Broadway at Stuyvesant St. on Monday in preparation of the paving. There will be a lane shift Monday into Tuesday.
Millers Lane from Lucas Ave to the city line, Grandview Avenue from Lounsbury Place to Millers Lane, Cummings Avenue, Patriots Place, and Heritage Court. Milling is scheduled to begin Friday, August 16 and continue through the following week, with paving being completed by Monday August 26, weather depending.
Cornell Street will be closed between S. Manor Avenue and Foxhall Avenue, effective immediately, until August 19, 2024. As we prepare for the final designs of our Flatbush/Foxhall Improvement Project, we are implementing a temporary traffic flow change. This will allow us to better understand proposed alternative routes and safety improvements. The study will inform the Safe & Accessible Flatbush and Foxhall project. For more on the Flatbush/Foxhall project, please visit Engage Kingston.
Clinton Avenue Intersection Project--work on drainage, lamps, and push buttons for crosswalks continue. Construction of sidewalks will begin along Clinton Avenue and into John St.
Prospect Avenue Sewer Project-- crews will continue with waterline replacement along Prospect.
Weekly roadwork updates will be posted on the City website here.
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Closure at Cornell and Foxhall | |
City of Kingston Job & Board Opportunities | |
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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/
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Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
mayor@kingston-ny.gov
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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