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Residents urge Kingston to preserve irreplaceable Bluestone sidewalks
Summary
Multiple attendees argued Kingston Bluestone is historically unique and urged the city to preserve curbs and sidewalks, request stonemason bids, and make the Bluestone Bank accessible for homeowner repairs.
Several residents testified that Kingston’s Bluestone sidewalks and curbs are a unique historic resource that should be preserved rather than replaced with concrete. One commenter described Bluestone as hand‑cut, "the slabs that are in the curbs are irreplaceable," and urged the city to employ stonemasons for retrofit work rather than demolition and replacement.
Speakers recounted specific neighborhood changes — naming Franklin and Henry streets — and pressed for stronger city enforcement when contractors remove Bluestone without permits. Emily Flynn acknowledged Bluestone will be part of the project and said the consultants will consider preservation in recommendations, but followed by saying she could not provide detailed information on the Bluestone Bank’s inventory or process and referred residents to DPW for the application process.
