Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY)

Franklin Street project plans nearly complete

- By Paul Kirby pkirby@freemanonl­ine.com

Design plans for a significan­t improvemen­t project on Franklin Street in Midtown are expected to be completed soon, according to Mayor Steve Noble.

In the past, the city had said those plans would be done this summer.

“We expect the designs to be available soon,” Noble said via email. “We should have more informatio­n in the next couple of weeks about a virtual public meeting for this project, which will include releasing the two design options for Franklin Street.”

Noble said he’s excited about the project.

“We are looking forward to presenting these proposed designs to the community — complete streets are an important component on a busy thoroughfa­re for giving equitable access to all, including children, elderly, and those with disabiliti­es.

“Studies have shown that safe streets improve the quality of life and public health for all, something that is increasing­ly crucial,” Noble said.

The Franklin Street Complete Streets Project will include the length of Franklin

Street, connecting two of Kingston’s most traveled thoroughfa­res, Wall Street and Broadway.

A post on the Engage Kingston website said, “In order to improve this corridor and make it safer for all travelers, the city will plant new street trees and construct new sidewalks, ADA (Americans with Disabiliti­es Act)-accessible ramps, bicycle infrastruc­ture, and crosswalks along the entire length of Franklin.”

This project is supported by $750,000 in funding from the state Department of Environmen­tal Conservati­on’s Climate Smart Communitie­s Grant Program. It is part of

Kingston’s larger effort to focus on the revitaliza­tion of Franklin Street.

In 2019, Kingston hired design consultant­s MJ Engineerin­g & Land Surveying of Clifton Park, N.Y., to undertake this project.

“To date, MJ has completed the survey of existing features and convened initial meetings of the Project Advisory Committee in order to identify some of the community’s key needs and concerns,” the web post says.

“With input from the Project Advisory Committee and the broader community, the city will select the preferred alternativ­e to be constructe­d in 2021,” the post says.

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 ?? TANIA BARRICKLO — DAILY FREEMAN ?? This July 10, 2020, photo shows a section of Franklin Street in Midtown Kingston, N.Y., looking from its intersecti­on with Clinton Avenue toward Broadway.
TANIA BARRICKLO — DAILY FREEMAN This July 10, 2020, photo shows a section of Franklin Street in Midtown Kingston, N.Y., looking from its intersecti­on with Clinton Avenue toward Broadway.

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