A reasonably sized Irish Cultural Center would be a nice addition

Dear Editor, My husband and I moved here 16 years ago from New Paltz because we wanted to be where things were happening and many of our artist friends were living. In particular, we wanted to be in the Rondout, where the neighborhood was quietly growing into an artists’ enclave.

We have always been very much involved in the arts scene in Kingston and appreciate all of the events, festivals, gatherings and cultural happenings that enrich our area. They are part of the fiber that is helping Kingston develop into the “little Brooklyn” it is becoming.

That said, the development must be smart and fore-thinking, in touch with reality and conscious of the neighborhood. We would very much like to see an Irish Cultural Center in our neighborhood. We have three museums already that are wonderful representations of our past, present and future. Another would be a tremendous asset.

But not at 17,000 square feet.

Do we need another restaurant and bar, when in the off months, many of the establishments sit empty?

A theatre would be another boon to the Rondout, but where will they park? Not in 18 parking spots at the facility. Have you ever tried to find a parking spot on First Saturday, let alone the Fourth of July celebration or any other of the annual festivals and we live a block and a half from the site?

Mayor Steve Noble is a proponent for unveiled government, one of the reasons we support him. There should be no behind-the-scenes zoning, no cronyism, no deals under the table.

And I’m no engineer, but I don’t see how that building can have an address on West Strand.

And one more thing, the project consultant, Matthew Rudikoff, likened the building to the YMCA on Broadway. Think about it: The YMCA on that property? Ludicrous.

We believe a reasonably sized, well-thought-out center where visitors and residents can learn about Irish culture in the Hudson Valley would make a nice addition to the Rondout.

We understand that many of the people supporting the Irish Cultural Center are stalwarts in the community. Many of them are our friends and colleagues and we applaud your personal investments into our community. You all, like us, have spent many hours of donated time, money, and sweat equity into building our great city. We may not have been born here like many of you, but we have worked to help create and nurture many of the events and organizations that make Kingston what it is today and sensible growth is good growth.

Susan Linn Kingston