May 3, 2024 - In this issue: | |
Join Kingston Clean Sweep Tomorrow! | |
2024 Distinguished Artist Award Announced | |
Another Round of Funding for 'Plus One ADU' Program | |
Prospect Avenue Sewer Project Public Info Meeting | |
Live Well Kingston's Bicycle Valet Kit | |
Mayor Noble's Listening Tour | |
Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show | |
Next Round of Paving & Weekly Roadwork Update | |
City of Kingston Job Opportunities | |
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Mayor's Message:
Dear Friends -
This week, Governor Hochul announced $5M for Ulster County to continue to partner with RUPCO and the City of Kingston to provide funding for the 'Plus One ADU' program. We are thrilled to continue this work to support low- and moderate-income homeowners with funding for the construction of an ADU. Through the New York State Homes and Community Renewal, our community will get another infusion of this critical funding so that we can continue to encourage the creation of workforce and affordable housing here in Kingston. With programs like Plus One ADU, we are already starting to see the development of much-needed ‘missing middle’ housing.
We also announced our second round of paving for the season will be Delaware Avenue from Broadway to Hasbrouck Avenue, Jansen Avenue from Foxhall to East Chester Street, and Staples Street from Broadway to the dead-end, which will happen the week of May 20, weather depending.
-Steve
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Join Kingston Clean Sweep Tomorrow! | |
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The 15th Annual Kingston Clean Sweep will take place on this Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 9:00am to 12pm.
Volunteers will be picking up litter lying along the Kingston Corridor from the railroad crossing on Washington Avenue down to the Rondout waterfront.
The Kingston Clean Sweep is sponsored by the Friends of Historic Kingston with support from the City of Kingston and numerous other business, service and civic organizations, schools, churches and individual volunteers.
If you are interested in participating in the 2024 Clean Sweep, please contact Friends of Historic Kingston at 845-339-0720 or Anna Brett at abrett1@verizon.net.
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2024 Distinguished Artist Award | |
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The 2024 City of Kingston Distinguished Artist Award goes to visual artist and illustrator Matthew Pleva! Pleva will be presented the award in a ceremony on Thursday, May 23 at 5:30pm at City Hall.
Born and raised in Kingston, Matthew Pleva and his body of work have been heavily influenced by the history and architecture of the city and its surroundings. After graduating from Kingston High School in 1993, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SUNY Purchase in 1997. He returned to Kingston and became active in the arts community, beginning with entries in the early years of the Kingston Artist Soapbox Derby, as a member of the artist co-op Upfront Art, and local gallery shows. For years he worked as a bench jeweler by day and an artist by night, honing his illustration style and technique. From 2012 to 2015, he and his wife Heidi Abrams-Pleva opened The Art Riot, a co-op retail store that focused on locally produced arts and crafts. In 2014, Pleva produced his first large-scale mural for the O+ Festival, and then a second in 2017. Matthew continues to be involved in the art community. He has a revolving display window at Half Moon Books and his work is available at World’s End Comics. More about Matthew Pleva at www.matthewpleva.com/.
The Distinguished Artist Award ceremony is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.kingston-ny.gov/distinguishedartists.
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Plus One ADU Program Funded for Another Round of Grants | |
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New York State Housing and Community Renewal has awarded Ulster County, in collaboration with RUPCO, funding for another round of the Plus One ADU Program, which provides financial assistance to homeowners for the construction of new, code-compliant Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
Eligible homeowners earning 100% or less of Ulster County's Area Median Income, can apply for up to approximately $110,000 for ADU construction or rehabilitation through the program. In return, participants agree to rent the unit at an affordable rate for a minimum of 10 years. Award grantees receive support from Ulster County and RUPCO throughout the design, construction, and permitting process.
In Round 1 of the City of Kingston's Plus One ADU Program, five recipients were awarded, and in Round 2, we're expected to fund 10 new ADUs. Applications for Round 2 are expected to open this summer.
As part of the implementation of the Plus One Home Program, the City of Kingston hosted an Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Competition. The permit-ready plans should be available soon. More details here.
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Prospect Ave Sewer Project Public Meeting | |
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A public information meeting for the Prospect Avenue Sewer Project will be held Monday, May 13, 20024, at Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church (122 Clinton Avenue) from 4:00-6:00pm.
The Prospect Avenue Sewer Project replaces sewer, storm and water lines on Prospect Avenue in two segments: St. James Street to Liberty Street, and Henry Street to Greenkill Avenue.
Residents and area businesses are encouraged to stop by the open house informational meeting to ask questions and meet the project team. This project is expected to be disruptive. On-street parking will be limited or prohibited at times during the project, as will through traffic, however, construction crews will ensure that though access for residents is maintained.
Prospect Avenue Sewer Project construction is expected to begin in June, with completion expected by the end of October 2024.
In addition to the public information meeting, residents in the area may also contact City Engineer John Schulthies with questions or concerns at jschultheis@kingston-ny.gov or 845-334-3967.
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Live Well Kingston's Bicycle Valet Kit | |
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Kingston's Health & Wellness Department has a bicycle valet kit that is available for community events, and works similarly to a car valet. With the bicycle valet kit, bicyclists get priority parking by dropping off their bikes with volunteers and/or staff at temporary bike racks in a highly convenient location.
Traveling by bicycle results in less traffic congestion, fewer emissions, and less parking is needed, plus humans get a little more exercise, which makes us a little healthier!
The kit consists of three temporary bicycle racks with instructions to put them together, a sign-in sheet, pens, tickets to track the bicycles, traffic safety handouts, a sandwich sign, a table runner, and a folding table (if needed). For a true valet, a person would need to facilitate the valet.
Contact Director of Health & Wellness Emily Flynn to reserve the bicycle valet kit at eflynn@kingston-ny.gov or (845) 334-3909. More information here.
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Mayor Noble's Listening Tour | |
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Mayor Noble will continue his listening tour in Ward 2 on Monday, May 20. We have a new location for the meeting, which will now be held at Old Dutch Church. If you live or work in Ward 2, we hope to see you there!
The next Ward meetings will be announced in the coming week.
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show | |
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Mayor Noble's weekly radio show, "It's the Mayor" airs on Tuesdays at 5pm on Radio Kingston. This week, Mayor Noble spoke with Kingston Police Chief Tinti about bike patrol, community policing, de-escalation training, new dash cams, and more.
Click below to hear their conversation!
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Paving & Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update | |
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Paving: the second round of paving in 2024 will be Delaware Avenue from Broadway to Hasbrouck Avenue, Jansen Avenue from Foxhall to East Chester Street, and Staples Street from Broadway to the dead-end. Preparation in the area has already begun. Milling is expected to begin on Monday, May 20, with paving expected to be completed by Friday, May 24, weather depending.
Post Office Park – work continues to excavate and form pathways, bench areas, and bicycle pads.
Henry Street Safe Routes to School project – striping of the road will be completed in the coming weeks. Final punch list items will be completed.
ADA Ramps Citywide – crews will continue to pour the curbs, ramps, and sidewalks along Pearl Street. Final restoration of the ramp on Pearl Street is expected to be completed on Pearl Street in one week.
Once restoration on Pearl Street is completed, crews will begin excavation on the final ramps at Elizabeth Street and Washington Avenue and Elizabeth Street and Wall Street.
Central Hudson: gas line replacement will continue on St James Street. Expect road closures and/or detours in areas of active construction. Service replacements will continue on Maiden Lane. Lane closures and/or detours are expected.
From noon to 6:00pm on Saturday May 4, Henry Street will be closed between Broadway and Sterling Street for a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Weekly roadwork updates will be posted on the City website here.
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New ADA curb ramps on Main Street | |
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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