July 19, 2024 - In this issue: | |
Clinton Avenue Improvements Project Starts Next Week | |
City Issues RFEI for 46 Grand Street | |
Safe Start to Summer Statistics | |
Pop-up Pickleball on Wednesdays! | |
Dietz Stadium Construction Update | |
City of Kingston Job Opportunities | |
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Mayor's Message:
Dear Friends -
Construction on Clinton Avenue begins Monday. Initially this project did not necessitate a road closure, however, during project preparation and testing, a broken manhole and associated sewer line were discovered. For the repair, Clinton Avenue Albany Avenue to Main Street is expected to be closed for one week.
The Clinton Avenue Uptown Transportation Improvements project area will enhance walkability and increase safety. We know this construction work is going to be disruptive for the surrounding businesses, and we also know that once this project is complete, it will greatly benefit the entire neighborhood.
Looking forward, the month of August is going to be very busy for paving. The Department of Public Works and paving contractor Callanan will be working in two separate areas in August, including on a major thoroughfare--Broadway from West O’Reilly to McEntee. We are excited to see this next section of Broadway get paved, and ask for the public’s patience during the preparation, milling, and paving process.
-Steve
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Clinton Avenue Project Starts Monday w Road Closure | |
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The construction for the Clinton Avenue Uptown Transportation Improvements Project will begin next week. Starting Monday July 22, Clinton Avenue from Albany Avenue to Main Street will be closed for sewer work.
A detour route will be posted. Southbound traffic should use Main Street to Fair Street to Pearl Street to bypass the work area. Northbound traffic should use Pearl Street to Wall Street to John Street to bypass the work area. In addition to using the detour, drivers are asked to avoid the area by seeking alternate routes to destinations. To access Kingston Plaza, I-587 is recommended.
Pedestrian traffic will be maintained on the south side of Clinton Avenue through the work area. The north sidewalk is expected to be closed.
The Clinton Avenue project will improve pedestrian access, traffic circulation, and key intersections. The Albany/Clinton Avenue intersection will receive a replacement traffic signal, and the Clinton/Westbrook intersection will feature a new traffic signal. Sidewalk, curb, drainage, lighting, and paving improvements, along with landscaping, signage and striping improvements will be installed.
Work is expected to continue through the end of 2024. No further full closure of Clinton Avenue is planned, and the roadway will be open to traffic for as much as possible. Notice will be provided to the public if a further closure is needed.
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RFEI for 46 Grand Street in Midtown Kingston | |
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The City of Kingston has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for the city-owned property at 46 Grand Street in Midtown Kingston.
The 46 Grand Street property is a vacant two-story mixed-use property with approximately 3,000 square feet. The ground floor commercial space was previously used as a bar/tavern. The RFEI is seeking responses to purchase the vacant property and rehabilitate for a use that creates community benefit and complements the surrounding uses, including commercial, residential, non-profit, and mixed-use concepts.
Under the City’s form-based zoning code, 46 Grand Street is zoned T5-Flex, which allows for a wide variety of uses and building types. After an evaluation committee has selected a potential buyer and the Common Council has granted approval, the selected respondent will be responsible for the rehabilitation of the property.
In August 2022, the Common Council voted to donate the property at 46 Grand St to the Beyond the 4 Walls Outreach Program. As part of the City’s deed with Beyond the 4 Walls, the program had one year to complete the rehabilitation of the property. This rehabilitation has not been completed and the program has voluntarily transferred the property back to the City of Kingston.
Proposals are due August 1, 2024. The RFEI can be found here.
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'Safe Start to Summer' Traffic Enforcement Stats | |
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As part of the City of Kingston’s participation in Ulster County’s Safe Start to Summer 2024 road safety campaign, the Kingston Police Department instituted two weeks of heightened traffic enforcement, and as a result, issued 153 tickets to motorists.
The Safe Start to Summer 2024 campaign to increase awareness about the dangers of speeding and distracted driving is a collaboration of the Ulster County Executive, Ulster County Transportation Council, Ulster County Traffic Safety Board, Office of the Ulster County Sheriff, local governments, and state and local law enforcement. The campaign included coordinated public education and enhanced enforcement of traffic laws between July 1 -14 at locations identified as having a higher risk of traffic incidents.
Last week, six members of the Kingston Police Department took a police bicycle training course with members of the Ulster County Sheriff's Office as part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to improve community-oriented policing. Mayor Noble has also proposed a citywide 25 mile per hour speed limit to the Kingston Common Council.
For the full breakdown of traffic violations, se the full press release here.
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Pop-Up Pickleball on Wednesdays | |
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Courtesy of the generosity and community spirit of local store owners at Rewind Kingston and in collaboration with the City of Kingston and Kingston Parks & Recreation, a pop-up pickleball court has been created on Field Court in Midtown Kingston.
The Flood family, owners of Rewind Kingston, will host free pop-up pickleball lessons on Wednesdays for high school-age youth and young adults – although all ages are welcome—taught by Peter Van Loan of PVL Academy from 6:00-8:00pm on July 24, and July 31. Games will be held on August 21, August 28, and September 4, 2024.
Paddles will be available for beginners during Wednesday night lessons. If community members would like to donate paddles or other pickleball supplies, please contact Joanne Flood at Rewind Kingston.
The organizers are planning a tournament at the end of the summer to raise money for their second annual Heart of Midtown: Go All In For Mental Health event, which will be held on September 7, 2024. The street festival is a collaboration with nonprofit United We Om and neighboring businesses including UPAC and Westkill Supply. The event will feature mental health nonprofits tabling with resources, art and wellness workshops, live music, free zines, pickleball, and a dunking booth.
Kingston Parks & Recreation has a pickleball court at Loughran Park, and last winter started an indoor pickleball program at Rondout Neighborhood Center. More information on Kingston Parks & Recreation programs at https://www.kingston-ny.gov/parksandrecreation.
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August Paving Projects Announced | |
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The next round of paving will be:
Millers Lane from Lucas Ave to the city line
Grandview Avenue from Lounsbury Place to Millers Lane
Cummings Avenue
Patriots Place
Heritage Court
Preparation in these areas has already begun. Milling for these five roads is scheduled to begin Friday, August 16 and continue through the following week, with paving being completed by Monday August 26, weather depending.
During this same time frame, Broadway from West O’Reilly Street to McEntee Street will be milled and paved. Milling is expected to being 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.
This week, Augusta Street from West Chestnut Street to West Chester Street and West Chester Street from Broadway to Trenton Street were paved.
The next round of paving will be announced in the coming weeks. Paving season is expected to continue through October 2024. For more about City of Kingston paving projects, visit https://kingston-ny.gov/paving.
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Paving on W. Chester today | |
Dietz Stadium Construction Update | |
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The construction at Dietz Stadium is still moving swiftly and is nearing 80% completion. The turf installation is complete. The track is installed and curing, and waiting to be striped.
The site lighting is being installed and interior work in the grandstand continues. Power up of the site is expected in early August.
Although accommodations have been made for access to the Andretta Pool, the remainder of the Dietz site is a construction zone and is still closed to the public. Trespassers have been recorded with the site cameras on the field, on the track, and on the loop road walking their pets after work hours. We remind the public to stay out of this construction area, which is dangerous and completely off limits.
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Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update | |
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Central Hudson-- Crews will be working on gas service replacements on Pine Street the week of July 22.
Prospect Street Sewer Project - expect delays and one-way operation on St. James at Prospect due to waterline construction in support of the Prospect Street Sewer project.
Weekly roadwork updates will be posted on the City website here.
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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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