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

    2/25/2019 - City of Kingston Releases Public Survey for Pike Plan Input

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    February 25, 2019

    CITY OF KINGSTON RELEASES PUBLIC SURVEY FOR PIKE PLAN INPUT

     

    KINGSTON, NY – The City of Kingston has released a survey that is open to the public to provide feedback for the future of the Pike Plan canopies in Uptown Kingston, which have had ongoing structural issues. Mayor Steve Noble and the City of Kingston’s Common Council must make a decision about whether to repair and replace damaged portions of the canopies, or to demolish entirely and repair the attached buildings’ façades. Both options will be costly for the City, and all expenditures for either repair or demolition will be incurred by the City of Kingston. The initial cost estimate for repair is $450,000 + ongoing upkeep and maintenance. The initial cost estimate for demolition and façade repair is $868,000.

     

    Originally built in the 1970s, the Pike Plan is a system of connected sidewalk canopies along portions of Wall St. and North Front St. in Uptown Kingston. The aging Pike Plan was reconstructed in 2011-2013, with support from state and federal funding sources. Shortly thereafter, noticeable deficiencies in the canopy's design and construction were identified. In December 2015, the previous administration filed a lawsuit against the design, engineering and construction firms involved in the project. The NYS Supreme Court ruled that the design and engineering firms could not be held liable as the statute of limitations had expired. In 2018, the City was successful in securing a $315,000 settlement from the construction company.

     

    In 2017, Mayor Noble and the Common Council worked to eliminate the Pike Plan Tax, which was a special tax for those who had buildings attached to the Pike Plan. Going forward, all costs and fees related to the Pike Plan were assumed by the City, not just those who had a portion of the Pike Plan. 

     

    More information about the existing condition and the possible options can be found at the City’s website: www.kingston-ny.gov/pikeplan

     

     In order to make this difficult decision, Mayor Noble, along with the Common Council, would like input from City residents, who are encouraged to participate in a quick survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/pikeplan. The survey will close on Friday, March 8 at 4:30pm. Paper copies of the survey can be picked up at City Hall in the Office of Communications and Community Engagement.

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