This week’s News + Notes
Kingston mayor responds to Pike Plan criticism, lead claims from ‘billionaire bully’
After the announcement that plans to demolish the Pike Plan canopies in Uptown Kingston reverberated across the region, the City’s mayor, Steve Nobel, doubled down on his assurance that the decision was in the best interest of the city, and slammed the “billionaire bully” claiming that lead paint has been found in the canopies.
As a reminder, as we start to see the demolition of the Pike Plan canopies begin, the structure is in a state of irreparable deterioration and cannot be repaired,” he said in an email last week. “I want to emphatically state: the Pike Plan is not what makes Kingston unique. The small businesses, the eateries, the shops, the vibrant arts and culture scene, and our residents are what makes Kingston special.”
The Pike Plan, originally built between 1973 and 1976 as part of an Urban Renewal project, was rebuilt between 2009 and 2011, “with shoddy craftsmanship, which has been the source of litigation, and has caused headaches for the property and business owners ever since.” Despite the “shoddy craftsmanship,” according to the mayor, no lead paint was used. “The lead in the construction area is, not surprisingly, present in the adjacent historic buildings. In fact, lead was present in at least three of the buildings that Wm. Gottlieb Real Estate owns in the project area,” he added.
Construction continues this week to dismantle the canopies on North Front Street before moving on to Wall Street in the next two weeks. All shops in the construction zone are still accessible.
Applications now open for the outdoor season of the KFM
Interested in selling your farm-fresh goods this season at the Kingston Farmers Market? Applications are now open, as of January 19, for participants in this year’s market season. Deadline to apply is February 13, 2026.
The KFM outdoor season runs from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays from May 2 through November 21, 2026 in the Ulster County Courthouse parking lot at 285 Wall Street, Kingston. (Sidenote: The winter market is currently taking place from 10am to 2pm every other Saturday in the Old Dutch Church! January 31 is the next market.)
To apply, visit: https://kingstonfarmersmarket.org/vendors/outdoor-market-rules/
Environmental Justice Listening Session on water quality planned in Newburgh
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will discuss the status of Newburgh’s drinking water supply and the ongoing cleanup of Newburgh’s watershed during a listening session on January 21, 2026 from 5:30 to 8pm at Kaplan Hall on the SUNY Orange Campus (1 Washington Center, Newburgh).
In 2016, PFAS – polyfluoroalkyl substances – were found to be contaminating the water in the City of Newburgh, with the waters surrounding the Stewart Air National Guard Base “as the likely source of PFAS contamination in the area due to the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam.” Stewart Air National Guard Base was labeled as a state Superfund site in August 2016, and officials transitioned the city to an alternative water source and multiple upgrades the city’s water treatment system.
STAR info session in Dutchess
State tax department employees will be on hand to help individuals submit income information, and to answer other questions about the STAR program, on Thursday, January 22, from noon to 3pm at Boardman Road Branch Library (141 Boardman Rd., Poughkeepsie). Walk-ins are welcome. For additional information on STAR, visit tax.ny.gov/star or call 518-457-2036.
“As Westchester County’s first Black County Executive, I am keenly aware that my ability to serve in this role is tied directly to Dr. King’s legacy. His leadership helped dismantle barriers that once made opportunities like this impossible for so many. At the same time, he reminded us that equality is not a destination, but a responsibility that must be carried forward by every generation. In Westchester, that means striving to create a community where opportunity is real, justice is fair and every resident can live a dignified life.”
– Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins
Support Hudson Valley news + events
ADVERTISEMENT:
