Friday, July 31, 2009

SCHUMER AND THE TROLLEY TRAX


Well, Senator Schumer made the front page of the Freeman again. His push to refurbish the Trolley Tracks and help spruce up our downtown tourism engine is truly welcomed.

$800,000 has been earmarked for this purpose. However, every time we hear about the trolley tracks, the stretch from the Museum property to E Chester St is never mentioned. Other than raise the rails on the Avenues and install new tracks over Rt 9W, the property is ready for action.


The events that have become the staple of the downtown economy would greatly benefit by getting people from midtown to the site by trolley rail rather than driving down or shttle bus. Let them climb aboard the trolley allong Jansen Ave.

Schumer said the allocation has been approved by the U.S. DOT and the Senate’s Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee. [That was a mouthful] It still has a journey to go before finding it's way into our capital projects account.

As stated in the Freeman; Mayor Sottile said the money, if approved, would come at an opportune time, with the city currently focused on waterfront improvements.
He's right. It will surely help fund the continuing efforts by this administration. And I will join the list of elected officials who thank Chuck Schumer for his long term efforts to secure this funding. I would just like to hear whether or not the upper rails have ever been considered.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

The changes down at the waterfront (which is truly beautiful) have been impressive, and being able to proceed with some of he plans (as I have heard or read about them) in that area is awesome. This is great news for the City of Kingston. Thank you Mr. Schumer!

NS

Anonymous said...

complete waste of money. Do you guys ever think about how this would work when implemented? You are going to pour millions into this and then it will be used by perhaps thrity to forty people a week and only nine months ayear....is that a good use of the money? Aren't there other things we should be trying to improve first like the roads, sewers, parks, schools than spending over a million dollars on a train that will not be used enough to make it worthwhile. Of course it looks good on paper but use your head

Anonymous said...

first-how do i benefit,as a strained taxpayer,from an 800 thousand dollar repair to what amounts to less than 3 miles of track?second-if the tracks are bad why can't we use the rails that were tore up along greenkill ave or are they in the scrap yard?down town is a nice place but it does nothing for the rest of the city.this city is in deep poopy

Anonymous said...

Please look closely at the train in the above picture. Is this something you or I would want to show a friend visiting from Houston,Tx?

Kind of like turning on Ch23 to let them view our public access station.

Have to agree with 10:20 0n this one. We need jobs, industry and commerce before the whole area becomes a museum...smitty

Anonymous said...

The trolley rides "scenic" route drives thru a treatment plant,two city dumps, and a swamp... I think we should spend that money a little more wisely people!

Anonymous said...

All I know - and it is obvious that I disagree with my husband on some issues - is that when I go down to the Kingston Waterfront / Roundout area - I see people, action, movement, beauty and loads of potential...

This is a lot of money, but why "bite the hand that feeds you?"

Perhaps some of this money (it all depends on attached conditions / specifics) could go for beautifying the the track route / vincinity?

Tourism is a way of bringing money, jobs and revenue into the area - and as we try to clean up the river and the riverfront - and make it more attractive and accessible - hope (at least in this area, I believe...) is "alive."

Take a walk down there. Attend one or more of the festivities held there. Visit some of the unique and creative businesses and galleries and such...

Nice.

NS

Anonymous said...

We have raw sewerage being discharged into the Rondout - and we are getting money so trolley passengers, promenade walkers and Railroad Bridge tourists can look at it?

Let's get our priorities in order - why didn't Sottile get some stimulus money for this?

Anonymous said...

Why hasn't AVR been required to kick in the City's share of the sewer study?

Anonymous said...

The problem with raw sewage running into the Rondout Creek has been going on for years. Sottile, Noble, and Reynolds did nothing to stop it. Only now that they are facing fines are they acting. We need leaders who are PROACTIVE no REACTIVE.

Remember Sottile did not say one word about the aging sewers until there was a lawsuit against the City for the Wilber Ave. fiasco.

Anonymous said...

The work on the waterfront is great if your the out of town no-bid contractor getting paid to do it.

Anonymous said...

There is no plan in Kingston - the Mayor took the money for a comprehensive plan to facilitate individuals and businesses interested in moving here a easy way to get all the data and gave it to a new position of Main St Manager to do the work that we have already been paying the Economic Director and his staff to do.

So potential developers like AVR had to start from scratch and buy dinners and drinks to whomever seemed like they knew the rules.

Six years of being milked by politicians for campaign gifts only to find out the City can't add any new sewer connections - on yeah they will build.

Anonymous said...

Yes, it would be great to have the trolley running again but that $800,000 is not a "gift" per say. Where do they get those funds?? Why, it is from us taxpayers, of course!!! Folks, we are spending our own money!!! How kind of the Senator to award us these funds! Just put it on our tab! NYS and the federal government are out of control. Priorites, PLEASE.