The City of Kingston, NY

    Welcome to the City of Kingston, NY

    Kingston, dating to the arrival of the Dutch in 1652, is a vibrant city with rich history and architecture, was the state's first capital, and a thriving arts community. City Hall is in the heart of the community at 420 Broadway, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except July & August (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).  Come tour our historic City, with restaurants that are among the region's finest, and local shopping that promises unique finds.

    Historic Churches

    Kingston is home to many historic churches. The oldest church still standing is the First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Kingston which was organized in 1659. Referred to as The Old Dutch Church, it is located in Uptown Kingston. Many of the city's historic churches populate Wurts street (6 in one block) among them Hudson Valley Wedding Chapel is a recently restored church built in 1867 and now a chapel hosting weddings. Another church in the Rondout is located at 72 Spring Street. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1849. The original church building at the corner of Hunter Street and Ravine Street burned to the ground in the late 1850s. The current church on Spring Street was built in 1874.

    Kingston, NY

    Kingston became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British on October 13, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga. In the 19th century, the city became an important transport hub after the discovery of natural cement in the region, and had both railroad and canal connections.

    Kingston, NY

    The town of Rondout, New York, now a part of the city of Kingston, became an important freight hub for the transportation of coal from Honesdale, Pennsylvania to New York City through the Delaware and Hudson Canal. This hub was later used to transport other goods, including bluestone. Kingston shaped and shipped most of the bluestone made to create the sidewalks of New York City.

     

    Contact Us

    City Hall Address:
    420 Broadway
    Kingston, New York
    12401

    Phone:
    (845) 331-0080
    Email:
    [email protected]

    Kingston News

    11/26/2025 - Mayor Noble Announces Acquisition of 305 Lucas Ave.

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    November 26, 2025

     

    Mayor Noble Announces Acquisition of 305 Lucas Ave.

    City’s First Use of Article 19-A for Abandoned Property

     

    KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that the City of Kingston has acquired the abandoned, vacant property at 305 Lucas via Article 19-A of the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law.

    The property, which was abandoned with no known heirs, has sat vacant since at least 2016, has been acquired by the City of Kingston and will be sold as outlined in the City’s Disposition Policy. Per the policy, the Kingston City Land Bank will be offered the property first to rehab as part of its affordable homeownership initiatives.

    Mayor Noble said, “We continue to look at all avenues and utilize every tool available to not only increase housing opportunities, but to also improve our neighborhoods. As we all know, vacant homes hurt a community, and allowing the vacant property to return to a home revitalizes the entire neighborhood. This is the first time the City of Kingston has acquired a property via Article 19-A, and I want to thank the Director of Housing Initiatives and our Corporation Counsel’s office for guiding and supporting this effort.”

    Article 19-A of the New York Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law allows municipalities to take ownership of the title to a residential property that has been certified as abandoned. The property at 305 Lucas Avenue marks the first of the City of Kingston’s use of Article 19-A, with four more properties currently being addressed by the courts. These properties are on West Chester, Cordts, Boulevard, and Hunter Streets.

    “I am pleased that the City of Kingston has been able to take advantage of this tool for the first time, and that a new course has been set for this long-vacant property,” said Bartek Starodaj, Director of Housing Initiatives.

    The City of Kingston Disposition Policy, last amended by the Common Council via Resolution 83 of 2025, standardized the procedure for the sale of City-owned surplus property, which encourages the timely redevelopment of City-owned buildings and land and returns them to the tax rolls, while encouraging the development of affordable rental and homeownership housing opportunities.

    More information at https://engagekingston.com/surplus-properties

    Mayor Noble established the Department of Housing Initiatives in 2020 to support housing planning in the City

    of Kingston. The Department manages housing-related grants, supports the construction of new market-rate and affordable housing, develops policies to protect existing residents, and addresses the connection between housing and sustainability, health, and mobility. The Department also reviews the disposition of city-owned property suitable for housing development and collaborates with local and regional housing organizations.

    For more housing initiatives, please visit https://kingston-ny.gov/housing.
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