By Rebecca Martin
The Business Alliance of Kingston has taken the time to post the results from the visioning session at Kings Inn last month. There are pictures, explanations and more to what each group created together.
The site explains: “The revitalization of Midtown Kingston will take a great leap forward with redevelopment of this blighted property at 615 Broadway. Leading local and national architects, with neighborhood input, conducted a Design Charrette on Friday, July 16, 2010.We hope this charrette will inform the City’s efforts to recruit a developer. The drawings and results of the eleven teams are below.
Thanks for the link. Pat drew on lots of talent, gave great direction and support got some fine views and results. It was a pleasure to participate with such direction and support. Exceedingly well done.
The absence of a comprehensive plan was evident to all, but that seems to be on the way to being fixed… outstanding job.
I vote for plan #8!
The fact that I was on that team in no way influenced my completely unbiased opinion!
Seriously, all the plans had merit. However, with my professional hat on as someone responsible in part for economic development and jobs in Ulster County, all the plans seemed to lack a jobs creation element (even ours!). All relied on small businesses and retail, which is not at all bad. However, Kingston also needs more career opportunities for the 20-30 demographic. The 721 Media Center is a good example of creating small buisnesses that are career oriented and involved highly skilled, creative work (sound engineering, video editing, web site design, TV production). The Kings Inn property represents the same kind of opportunity, with the added bonus of having space for housing and open green space.
This is a great opportunity for the city and I was proud to be a part of it. Let’s hope we can find a developer with great vision who will take the risk!
Paul Rakov
Ulster Co. Development Corp. (www.ulsterny.com)
Kingston resident