West Hudson Valley News

‘Midtown Thriving’ to be a Joint Effort with Pattern for Progress

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that the City of Kingston, in partnership with Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, has won a Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) grant for $238,559 from the New York State Department of State. The joint project will be called Midtown Thriving: A Community Vision to Revitalize Vacant Properties.

The grant will fund a community-driven plan for the redevelopment of certain properties within the Midtown neighborhood of Kingston. The work will focus on vacant and abandoned properties within a 270-acre area that runs along the Broadway corridor. Ulster County led a preliminary study of this area in Midtown Kingston and four other brownfield locations throughout the county in 2019. Pattern for Progress will lead the development of a final BOA plan, which is expected to take two years to complete. The final plan will be submitted to the state to complete the BOA nomination and unlock tax credits that encourage the redevelopment of properties in alignment with the community’s vision.

“The Midtown Thriving initiative will encourage the revitalization of underutilized parcels while helping Kingston move toward equitable, environmentally responsible, mixed-use and walkable infill redevelopment,” said Mayor Noble. “The plan will set forth a clear community vision with key redevelopment goals for vacant Midtown properties. Based on community input, the plan could spur investment in new housing and businesses, improve environmental quality, and connect the neighborhood internally and to other parts of Kingston through our urban trail system. We are thrilled to partner with Pattern for Progress and get this plan underway.”

“Pattern is excited to lead the community in developing a vision and plan for the redevelopment of vacant and abandoned properties in Midtown Kingston,” Pattern CEO Adam Bosch said. “We will utilize community workshops and thoughtful planning to identify the best opportunities for Kingston to create housing, jobs, community and public spaces, and recreational opportunities along the Broadway corridor. Paired with the city’s new zoning, the BOA planning process will give people in Kingston a unique opportunity to reimagine and rejuvenate underutilized parts of their community.”

Kingston Midtown Business Alliance Board of Directors stated, “The Midtown Business Alliance applauds the efforts of the City of Kingston and Pattern for Progress to rehabilitate brownfield parcels along the Broadway corridor. Efforts are needed to make vacant lots and otherwise underutilized commercial and mixed-use properties in Midtown Kingston viable for commerce use once again. Lack of affordable housing and commercial space to live and work in hinder this city’s economic vitality and long-term resilience. Rehabilitation of Midtown’s vacant lots and underutilized parcels offer great potential for this city’s ongoing revitalization.”

The planning process starts with an in-depth analysis of existing conditions and opportunities for revitalization. It includes multiple public engagements, including meetings and workshops where Kingston residents will help planners identify priority parcels for redevelopment and create a vision for their potential uses. Designation as a BOA by the State will give development in the area priority and preference for state programs, eligibility for pre-development funding, and it will unlock tax credits for property owners and developers.

Public engagement opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks. In addition, the City of Kingston will be seeking local members for a Project Advisory Committee. More information can be found at EngageKingston.com/midtown-thriving.

Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress is a nonprofit organization that provides objective research, planning, and educational training throughout the region. Its work identifies civic challenges and promotes regional, equitable, and sustainable solutions to constantly improve the quality of life in Hudson Valley communities. Pattern develops its work upon a considerable foundation of facts and experience, without political aims or affiliations. More information can be found at www.Pattern-for-Progress.org

Original source can be found here