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

    3/14/2019 - Pike Plan Survey Results Are In

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    March 14, 2019

     

    PIKE PLAN SURVEY RESULTS ARE IN

    Public Comment Survey and Property Owner Survey are Completed

     

    KINGSTON, NY – The results from the Pike Plan Public Survey, which was conducted by the City of Kingston through Survey Monkey and paper ballot, are in. There was an overwhelming response with 628 people participating in the survey from February 25-March 8, 2019. 

    Out of the 628 responders to the Pike Plan Public Survey, 77% are in favor of repairing and rebuilding the Pike Plan canopies, while 23% favored tearing them down and repairing the facades. Many of the comments in favor of keeping the canopies reference the charm, character and uniqueness to Kingston as well as protection from the elements. Several warned of making the same mistake as tearing down the old Post Office. Many of the comments in favor of teardown include ongoing, persistent structural problems, the look of an old Western, and not being historic to Uptown’s architecture. 

    On February 26, 2019, the City of Kingston mailed out letters to each of the 45 property owners who have Pike Plan easements. The letter contained individual links to the online survey, which gave the option of being anonymous. Seven of the 45 property owners used their unique links to take the survey, eleven more identified themselves as property owners on the public survey, and one property owner submitted an anonymous written comment. 

    Of the 19 property owners participating in the survey, 74% (14) are in favor of tearing down the Pike Plan canopies and repairing the facades. Many comments in favor of teardown mention more natural light and better visibility of the storefronts, as well as ongoing issues with water drainage and poor construction. The remaining 26% (5) were in favor of repairing and keeping the Pike Plan canopies. Comments for keeping the canopies include charm and uniqueness to Kingston, as well as concerns about business owners removing snow and maintaining sidewalks. 

    “I want to thank all of our engaged community members who participated in the survey. We wanted to make sure we gave the public a say, and to hear as many voices as possible,” said Mayor Steve Noble. “I presented the results from both surveys at the Common Council Finance and Audit Committee meeting on Wednesday night, and the Council will now take all the comments into consideration before making their decision.”

    The Common Council Finance and Audit Committee will reconvene to discuss their final conclusion about the Pike Plan canopies on April 1, 2019 at 6:30pm.