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Residents urge reopening visitor center at 20 Broadway, cite parking problems in Rondout public comments
Summary
Two speakers during public comment asked the council to reopen the visitor center at 20 Broadway, called city‑owned and in disrepair, and raised parking concerns for the Rondout waterfront district; speakers referenced a 2023 $21.7 million waterfront revitalization grant.
During the public speaking portion of the City of Kingston Common Council’s March 4 meeting, residents urged the council to reopen a visitors center at 20 Broadway and raised parking concerns for the Rondout waterfront district.
Sharon Boyd told the council the city received a $21,700,000 grant in June 2023 for revitalization of the Kingston Waterfront District and said the Rondout has not yet seen many benefits. Boyd said 20 Broadway is a city‑owned property "approximately $500,000" in value, currently in serious disrepair and being used for storage. She urged the city to reopen the visitor center in time for spring 2025 and said she would volunteer to help; she suggested renovating the upstairs apartment as a rental to offset maintenance costs.
Business owner Christine Bergeron, speaking after Boyd, endorsed reopening the visitor center and said parking in the waterfront area is "horrible on weekends." Bergeron said seasonal events, restaurant patronage and tour buses leave little parking for residents and merchants; she asked what the city plans to do if new units are built in the district and parking demand increases.
Both speakers listed local attractions they said would benefit from a visitor center, including three museums, trolley and boat tour operators (named: Rip Van Winkle, Solaris tour of the lighthouse, Kingston Boat Company), restaurants, galleries and boutiques. A Zoom speaker attempted to join public comment but was not permitted to speak because the meeting rule required Zoom participants to have their cameras on.
The public comment period was allotted 30 minutes and speakers were given three minutes each. Council members did not debate the public comments during the allotted time; the items were recorded and the council proceeded to its agenda.
No formal council action on 20 Broadway or parking was taken at the March 4 meeting; speakers asked the clerk and council to note community interest.
