Mayor, Local Groups Working to Unite Community in Creating World-Class Waterfront for Kingston

U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey brings parties together

(KINGSTON) - Kingston Mayor James Sottile, Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan, Scenic Hudson Senior Planner Ray Curran and Friends of Kingston Waterfront (FoKW) representative Ann Loeding jointly called on area residents to attend upcoming public workshops and formal hearings on The Landing at Kingston and Ulster (The Landing) project to forge a common vision for the city's Hudson River waterfront.

The joint press release was issued following a meeting of the mayor and representatives of the eight local and regional organizations that make up FoKW. U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey convened the meeting, which was attended by his district office director Dan Ahouse and John Lyons, counsel to the City of Kingston Planning Board.

Mayor Sottile said, "I have total confidence in the City Planning Board's ability to consider all public comment on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for The Landing project, and to make decisions that will not only fulfill their obligations under the law, but more importantly, result in a first-class waterfront development that our community can look to with pride, one that enhances our environment and provides a model for future waterfront development along the Hudson. Studies and public comments submitted to the Planning Board by Scenic Hudson on behalf of Friends of Kingston Waterfront and all members of the public are welcome, and can only serve to assist the Planning Board in achieving this goal."

"Upcoming public workshops, sponsored by FoKW; along with the decisions of the City Planning Board to provide additional formal public hearing dates and to extend the comment period; all supported by the applicant, AVR Realty; are a few of the steps taken to ensure that adequate public participation occurs throughout the process and enables us to accomplish a development project which will benefit the entire Mid-Hudson Valley," stated Mayor Sottile.

Ann Loeding, a representative of FoKW, said, "The meeting with the mayor was frank and constructive and cleared up some misunderstandings on both sides. I appreciate the chance to share with the city constructive input from members of the Friends of Kingston Waterfront with support from Scenic Hudson."

A tugboat operator and new mother, Ms. Loeding also said, "There are aspects of a major project like this that cannot be captured in an environmental impact statement. The public workshops will provide an opportunity for people in the community to express their concerns and hopes for the waterfront project."

Mr. Sullivan said, "The Landing project represents an extraordinary opportunity for the City of Kingston to lead the way for others in redeveloping former industrial sites along this American Heritage River. Now that members of the public have expressed their support or opposition to the proposal put forward by AVR Realty, the community has the opportunity to contribute to a shared vision for the waterfront."

Mr. Sullivan continued, "The upcoming public workshops sponsored by Friends of Kingston Waterfront and the additional formal public hearings offered by the Planning Board provide a unique opportunity to find common ground in a world-class waterfront development. Scenic Hudson is prepared to commit its resources to achieve that shared vision."

To supplement public participation and understanding of the formal SEQRA process being conducted by the City Planning Board, FoKW will host informal public workshops to gain input that will help shape an alternative plan which in turn will be offered to the City Planning Board by Scenic Hudson and FoKW. Information on these community workshops in November is available at www.FriendsofKingstonWaterfront.org.

With public participation in the process being so critical to the success of a quality development, individuals and agencies that would like to submit comments for the official record through oral testimony can do so by appearing at one of the reconvened hearings to be held by the City of Kingston Planning Board, on November 16, 2005 or December 14, 2005, each at 6 p.m. at Kingston City Hall. Written comment will be received in the City Planning Office up until close of business on January 17, 2006. For information on how to access the DGEIS for The Landing, persons should contact the City of Kingston Planning Office at 845 334 3955. The Landing development project is proposed by Yonkers-based AVR Realty, which would like to construct up to 2,182 residential units and additional commercial space on the 524-acre former Tilcon property, in the City of Kingston and Town of Ulster.