Latest Covid-19 Information |
|
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan |
|
City of Kingston Receives $1.5M Health Grant |
|
Two New Gun Violence Initiatives |
|
Rickel Knox Memorial Playground Rededication |
|
Crosswalks Improvements at Seven Key Intersections |
|
Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show |
|
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
Dear Friends,
We were excited to announce this week that the City of Kingston will be embarking on a process to create a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan for our community. This announcement coincides with our Pedestrian Safety Action Plan project getting started, which improves a number of intersections.
An ideal local transportation network has well-connected streets and paths that link to public transit. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan will allow us to identify gaps in our existing infrastructure, will help us prioritize future projects, and will provide recommendations.
We are continuing to improve the walkability for our City which I believe leads to a better overall quality of life for our entire community. There will be a robust public engagement component, so stay tuned for ways to participate.
-Steve
|
|
COVID-19 Information
-
As of today, there are 66 active Covid-19 cases in Ulster County, 11 in Kingston, and there have been 266 deaths across the County. More local resources at Ulster County Covid-19 Information
-
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is now accepting applications. Details here.
-
Small Business Recovery Loans provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations in New York that have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic
|
|
Kingston to Create a Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan |
|
The City of Kingston is creating a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (PBMP) that will inform efforts to improve conditions for active transportation users, reduce vehicle congestion and emissions, and support community health.
The grant-funded Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan will analyze the City's existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle networks and will identify gaps in those systems. Assessment will include a sidewalk inventory, bicycle infrastructure inventory, measuring bicycle and pedestrian use, and public input. The PBMP will provide recommendations including: prioritization of projects, an ADA Transition Plan, a list of recommended education, enforcement, encouragement and evaluation programs, policies, and a set of branded maps. The PBMP will also advise how pedestrians and cyclists should be considered in all future transportation projects and infrastructure investments.
During the process, there will be several opportunities for public participation and community feedback. Once complete, the PBMP will be presented to the Common Council for approval.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan has been funded in part by the Climate Smart Community Grant Program, Title 15 of the Environmental Protection Fund through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For more information, please EngageKingston.com.
|
|
City of Kingston Awarded $1.5 Million Health Grant
The City of Kingston was awarded the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant for $1,525,000 from the NY State Department of Health, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention. The grant will span five years and will help to increase opportunities for physical activity and nutrition in the community by engaging with trusted partners in child care and education.
Daily physical activity and good nutrition early in life support healthy growth and brain development and can protect against chronic diseases and conditions throughout life. Studies have shown that many children from underserved households do not have the opportunities to meet recommended national guidelines for physical activity and healthy food. The Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant aims to support and implement policy and systems change to provide equitable access for all children in our community.
“This grant will help the City of Kingston further its goal of supporting the social determinants of health -- access to everything needed for healthy living. We have to make sure that every child is given opportunities to succeed, and that starts with their nutrition and movement,” said Mayor Noble. “This initiative dovetails with the priorities of our Live Well Kingston Commission and its teams focused on healthy eating, active transportation, healing, aging, gardens and agriculture, and access to parks and play.”
Family of Woodstock, which currently has oversight of local early childcare centers, will review each centers’ physical activity and nutrition policies and will provide suggestions and trainings to enhance these efforts. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, which has led multiple health programs in the School District, will support and establish health and wellness committees in the elementary schools. The committees will create more opportunities for kids to get the physical activity and nutrition needed to thrive.
The City’s Health & Wellness Department will be implementing food service guidelines in community spaces to increase the accessibility of healthy foods. . The Health & Wellness Department will continue to support and encourage walking and bicycling and will hire a Project Manager to oversee the facilitation of the grant, and to add infrastructure such as signage, streetscape items, trail markers and other amenities that support and enhance active transportation.
“We are thankful to the State Department of Health for this five-year grant that will allow us to dive deeply into the work to increase physical activity and nutrition for our residents and workers,” said Emily Flynn, City of Kingston Director of Health and Wellness. “Special thanks to Family of Woodstock, Cornell Cooperative, the Kingston City School District, People’s Place, and our future partners for the opportunity to work on systems change together. Our goal is to make the healthy choice the easy choice in Kingston.”
|
|
Two New Ending Gun Violence Initiatives |
|
On Tuesday, Mayor Steve Noble announced the call for hiring three new police officers to help support a new violence prevention program, the Anti-Violence Effort Response Team (AVERT). The AVERT program is a joint initiative with Ulster County, the Sheriff's Office, and the District Attorney's Office.
The multi-agency initiative will include detectives, officers, social workers and mental health experts. The AVERT team will partner with community leaders to offer needed services that combat violent crimes, get illegal guns off of the streets, and divert at-risk youth to appropriate resources and programs.
“By partnering with County Government, our mental health partners, the District Attorney’s Office, and other policing jurisdictions, AVERT will allow us to redouble our efforts to curb gun violence,” Kingston Mayor Steve Noble said. “Using an evidence-based approach to remove illegal weapons off our streets, this program will help prevent the next violent act. I want to thank our County Executive Pat Ryan, Sheriff Juan Figueroa, District Attorney Dave Clegg and Kingston Police Chief Egidio Tinti for believing that we can think outside the box to reduce violence. I am proud to work alongside these leaders to ensure that our community has the support and resources to turn the page on this terrible chapter in our city and our nation’s history.”
Today, Mayor Noble spoke at an "Ending Gun Violence in New York" forum with other mayors and community leaders from across the region. Governor Cuomo has pledged $300,000 to Kingston for workforce training and job placement programs. This effort is a part of the Governor's gun violence disaster emergency and comprehensive strategy. The initiative treats gun violence as a public health crisis and includes short-term solutions as well as long-term strategies that focus on community-based intervention and prevention strategies to break the cycle of violence.
|
|
Press conference announcing the AVERT initiative |
|
Rickel Knox Memorial Playground Ribbon Cutting
Join us tomorrow for a ribbon cutting ceremony and rededication at Rickel Knox Memorial Playground.
|
|
Crosswalk Improvements Now Underway at Seven Intersections |
|
The Pedestrian Safety Action Plan project is now underway. The project, which is fully funded by the New York State Department of Transportation's Pedestrian Safety Action Plan Program, will include improvements to sidewalks, roads, and intersections to increase pedestrian safety and walkability at busy intersections across the City.
Seven key intersections are being upgraded: Joy's Lane at Municipal Stadium Road; Broadway at McEntee, Yosman Towers, Delaware Avenue and Andrew Street; North Front at Crown Street; and Albany Avenue at Maiden Lane.
“These seven intersections were identified to have heavy pedestrian traffic and an increased risk for crashes, due to extra-long crosswalks or other safety concerns. The new improvements will ensure that anyone crossing some of our busiest roads can do so safely,” said Mayor Noble. “We are grateful to provide these safety enhancements through grant funding with no local match.”
Improvements include the extension of curb lines to shorten long crossing distances, the addition of sidewalk ramps and retroreflective signs, upgrades to existing crosswalk markings, and pedestrian signals with countdown timers.
|
|
Sidewalk and crosswalk improvements on Broadway at Yosman Towers |
|
Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show
This week, Mayor Noble talked with Kingston Police Chief Egidio Tinti on his weekly radio show, which can be heard live on Radio Kingston and the City of Kingston Facebook page on Tuesdays at 5:00pm.
Click below to hear his conversation with Chief Tinti about a new anti-violence task force, hiring more officers, an armored rescue truck and more.
In case you missed last week's conversation with Kingston's Director of Art and Cultural Affairs, Addie Farr, you can listen here.
|
|
Paving: Paving on Gill Street, Catherine Street, and East Strand has been completed. Stay tuned for more paving announcements soon!
NYS DOT will be paving Washington Ave from Hurley Ave to the bridge over Esopus Creek next week. This week, DOT began milling on Washington Ave in preparation of paving, which is tentatively scheduled for the nights of July 28-29. Detours will be put into place during paving.
Broadway Streetscape: curb installation is nearly complete, and sidewalk installation continues.
Broadway Sewer work is complete except for final re-paving and adjustments of manholes or replacement of existing lids. Paving will start after all sidewalks are installed.
Broadway/Grand Street Intersection: preparation for this project has begun, with some overhead electrical wiring and other utilities are being removed. Construction work will start next week. Prince Street will be closed starting Monday, July 26.
Central Hudson: Gas main installation will continue this week on Lounsbury Place (between Johnston Avenue and Grandview Avenue), Irving Place, and Grandview Ave (between Lounsbury Ct and Main St) with temporary road closures and detours.
Gas main installation will continue on Mcentee Street (between Wurts Street and Hone Street) with temporary road closures and detours.
Gas service installations will continue on Spring Street, Mcentee Street, Hone Street and W. Pierpont Street with temporary road closures and detours.
Gas service installations will continue on Mountainview Ave (between Main St and Pearl St) and Pearl St (between Johnston Ave and Valentine Ave) with temporary road closures and detours.
I-587 Roundabout: construction work is nearing completion. Night work will occur the week of August 2 to complete paving. During this time, the roundabout will be closed to traffic and detours will be put into place.
|
|
Fresh paving on Gill Street |
|
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.
This system is a valuable resource to submit service requests for streetlight replacement, roadwork, City signage, traffic calming measures and other concerns. Issues with snow removal and reporting of vehicles and sidewalks not in accordance with the Snow Emergency restrictions can also be submitted via Kingston 311. Photos can also be attached to illustrate service orders. Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us.
|
|
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:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
