City roundabout plan fraught with uncertainty

Dear Editor: Six years ago, a consulting firm suggested two “alternatives” to the current I-587/Albany Avenue intersection in Kingston.

The most expensive option was a $4.5 million roundabout similar to our current roundabout a mile away. I find that circle the craziest thing I have ever seen.

The second alternative was to spend about $650,000 to update the lights, crosswalks, sidewalks, etc. Then-Alderman Tom Hoffay pushed forward the roundabout with plans to drop the bill on state taxpayers. A committee was formed to consider the matter, but as the biggest stakeholder on the intersection, I wasn’t invited. The project moved forward, and the values of my property and those of my neighbors have plummeted.

The state Department of Transportation claims the concerns of property owners were heard, but the plan was not modified.

Meetings with the top Ulster County planning official have been a waste of time.

My gut feeling is that most residents of Kingston are not really aware of the effect this will have on the city.

The medians, sadly, are generally uncared for by the city. My neighborhood makes the best of keeping it neat, but we have our own lawns to care for and maintain. The maturity of the trees and shrubs planted there years ago by a beautification group run by Evy Larios have added a park-like entrance to the city, but weeds have overtaken.

Envision those trees and shrubs gone. Envision children on bikes in the roundabout. Envision the elderly from senior living facilities on either side crossing. Envision the handicapped and disabled. Envision the traffic never coming to a halt for people to cross.

And what about this green plan on Broadway with a bike lane? Are those bikers going to drop into the roundabout? Will the bike lane continue to Ulster Avenue? What is that plan, and how does it fit with the proposed circle?

I choose to live smack in the middle of Kingston. Traffic is fine by me, but the uncertainty of all this needs to be addressed clearly and concisely. Once that roundabout is in, there’s no turning back.