FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 10, 2024

Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center Auditorium Renovations and Remediation Complete

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that the asbestos abatement and lead remediation at the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center auditorium and entryway is complete.

The asbestos abatement and lead remediation project began on August 5, 2024, and was completed in time for early voting in mid-October. In addition to the asbestos abatement and lead remediation, other renovation work included a complete rehab to the Broadway entrance vestibule and corridor with new lighting, brick and mortar repairs to the gym, new floor and ceiling trim, and fresh painting throughout the gym and stage areas.

Mayor Noble said, “We are so thrilled to have this enormous project completed and have the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center back open to the public and the Parks and Recreation staff. We are grateful for NoVo in Kingston’s support in undertaking such a large-scale project in a small amount of time, so that we could get this building back in operating order for our fall and winter programming. Those who came to the building for early voting got a sneak peek at the beautiful new interior of the Midtown Center.  I want to thank the contractors who worked tirelessly to get the project down quickly while using the safest methods and taking every precaution.”

The abatement work was overseen by Quality Environmental Solutions & Technologies of Wappingers Falls. The abatement was done by United Safety of Lincoln Park, NJ.  R. Bradley Construction of Kingston served as general contractor.

As part of the project, new play equipment for ages 18 months to 5 years was purchased, including 200 square feet of toddler activity mats, a large indoor play set with two slides and tunnel, a smaller indoor play set, a large slide, a playhouse, two kids picnic tables, toddler riding toys, two teeter totters, blocks, balls and more.

New bleachers will be installed this spring. The new ADA-compliant bleachers will be six tiers of automated telescoping plastic seating for 300 people.

Director of Parks & Recreation Lynsey Timbrouck said, “Our department is thrilled with the recent renovation here at the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center! We hope that the residents enjoy visiting this beautifully restored space as we continue to offer community programming and special events.”

This project was made possible by funding from the City of Kingston’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and support from NoVo in Kingston.

With the completion of the renovations, the Kingston Parks & Recreation Department will start the 2024-2025 ‘Replace the Parks,’ a drop-in, indoor playground program at the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center, which will be open to the public starting on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. The free indoor play space will be open to pre-school aged children from 9:00am to 2:00pm on Tuesdays and Fridays in the AMNC gym. Adults are required to stay with their children at all times.

Replace the Parks is a drop-in program, no registration is required. The program will take a holiday break beginning on December 24, 2024, and will resume on January 3, 2025. The program will run weekly on Tuesday and Fridays until March 28, 2025. When Kingston City Schools are on a 2-hour delay or closed due to inclement weather, the program will be cancelled.

More information is available at: https://kingston-ny.gov/replacetheparks.