KINGSTON – The City of Kingston has been awarded over $1 million in two state grants as part of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
The city will receive $400,000 from the State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Climate Smart Communities Program for an early flood warning system and $637,725 from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Heritage grants for TR Gallo Park improvements.
With the DEC funding, the city will develop an early flood warning and alert system for a neighborhood along the Rondout Creek that experiences repetitive flooding.
The system will send notifications to residents and city emergency departments.
The city will also develop a flood response plan for government activities that will be activated when flooding is expected.
Mayor Steven Noble said with the early warning system, the city will be able to improve its emergency response and flood adaptation decisions.
“We have seen increased flooding over the last several years, from the Rondout Creek and Hudson River, which affects the local economy, including restaurants, cruise ship and creational docking, local museums, trails, and impacts important municipal facilities including the city’s wastewater treatment plant,” the mayor said.
With the Parks Department funding, the city will make improvements to TR Gallo Park, including restrooms, pathways, paving, and the parking lot, with a focus on accessibility.
Interpretive signage, seating, native landscaping and other practical and beautifying amenities will be added to enrich the park experience for residents and visitors.
Improvements to TR Gallo Park “will make the area more accessible and add amenities that we hope will be a draw for many residents and visitors throughout the year,” Noble said.
Comments