Council OKs $63K for Streetscape rights of way

KINGSTON, N.Y. » City lawmakers have authorized the release of funding that will allow Kingston to proceed with the right-of-way phase of its planned Broadway Streetscape project.

During a meeting Tuesday, the Common Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution authorizing $62,700 in funding for the project. The money will be spent to allow Kingston to acquire rights of way for the renovation of Broadway from Grand Street to St. James Street.

Alderman Douglas Koop said during a caucus the evening before that the city already has bonded to borrow the money.

“So we’re not asking for any more money here,” said Koop, D-Ward 2.

City Grants Manager Kristen Wilson previously told lawmakers that the resolution was an administrative one intended to notify the state Department of Transportation that Kingston has the funding for the project. She also said the city has grants for a portion of the total cost of the Broadway Streetscape project and has authorized bonds to borrow for the remaining expense.

The grants require the city to spend money on the project before being reimbursed, Wilson said. She said the funding for the right-of-way work is to be reimbursed by one of the grants.

The rights of way are being sought for 14 small pieces of property outside the city’s highway boundary, Wilson said previously.

The Broadway Streetscape project is to include the rehabilitation of sidewalks and the addition of green infrastructure along the corridor. It also will include the addition of a bike lane and the coordination of the traffic signals.

The project also will reduce Broadway from four lanes of vehicle travel to two in the Streetscape area, with a third lane strictly for vehicles that are turning.

Wilson has said the total cost of the project will be just under $6 million.