Three projects given priority in application for state funds

Three city projects stand to share nearly $5.5 million in state funding after being designated as priorities by the state Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council.

The three projects are among 19 that were identified by the council as priorities for state funding, which is awarded on a statewide competitive basis.

Decisions on which projects will receive state funding will probably be made in December, according to Mayor Steve Noble.

“This is another indication of our local economy growing through thoughtful development projects that are poised to benefit the city of Kingston, Ulster County, and in many cases, the entire Mid-Hudson region,” Noble said in an email. “. . .I believe that each of these projects will create addi- tional opportunities for our residents.”

Noble noted that the three projects are located in different parts of the city.

“In particular, I am excited to see that these signature projects are located throughout the city, which I feel further demonstrates that Kingston has the capacity and the interest to attract and sustain responsible development in the Stockade,

Midtown and along the Waterfront,” Noble said. “We will continue to work with our public and private partners to generate economic growth, attracting jobs that pay a living wage and promoting initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of all those who live, work and visit Kingston.”

The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council described the Kingston projects in this way:

• The Kingstonian:

JM Development Group, in partnership with the

Kingston-based Herzog Supply Co., proposes a mixed-use development project in Uptown Kingston on the corner of Fair and North Front streets at the former parking garage site.

The approximately $48 million project will include a public-access pedestrian plaza, 129 market-rate residential units (76 one-bedroom, 50 two-bedroom and three three-bedroom); a 475-space parking garage, with 250 spaces dedicated to the city’s use, 9,000 square feet of commercial space that will become a mix of restaurants and retail, and a 38-room boutique hotel.

“This project will act as a cornerstone to the city’s

historic Stockade District, complementing other area businesses and providing valuable parking spaces desperately needed in this growing section of the city,” the report says. “In the process, this project creates infrastructure needed to support the influx of visitors resulting from the new commercial and residential ventures proposed for this adaptive reuse, as well as the growing numbers of city of Kingston residents who seek accessible public parking in order to enjoy the dynamic offerings of Uptown, the city of Kingston, and neighboring communities in Ulster County and beyond.”

The total funding requested

for The Kingstonian is $4.2 million.

This project also may get a share of another bag of state taxpayer money, the $10 million grant recently announced for Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the Uptown section.

• The Metro:

RUPCO and Stockade Works are creating a stateof-the-art media, arts, and technology center at The Metro building off South Prospect Street in Midtown. The space will serve incoming professionals and locals alike.

A key to Kingston’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative strategy is promoting the redevelopment of vacant and distressed

properties and removing blight and impediments to revitalization.

RUPCO has acquired the property.

The total funds requested is $242,526. The total project cost is $1,285,472

• Hutton Brickyards:

The Hutton Brickyards redevelopment project is the first phase of a farreaching effort to redevelop a significant portion of the city of Kingston’s long underutilized waterfront.

In the last two years, the Brickyards has hosted Smorgasburg, a seasonal food and craft market, and more recently two sold out performances by

Bob Dylan.

“In order to fully develop the site and realize its untapped potential, plans are to significantly upgrade the property and renovate several 19th-century industrial structures to create a compelling waterfront destination suitable to host concerts, festivals, markets and private events on an ongoing basis,” the report says. “This $5.023 million project represents the first phase in a larger, transformative vision for Kingston’s waterfront, one that brings the promise of significant employment and economic revitalization to the city and the Mid-Hudson region.

The total funding requested is $1 million.