RENDEZVOUS IN KINGSTON

In the forgotten Midtown East stretch of Broadway, still lined with those dreadful locust trees, a number of new business owners are clawing their way toward success. One business that has opened recently is the Cafe' and Lounge at 346 Broadway, aka Rendezvous Lounge for those who have ventured upstairs. 
 

With a limited lunch/dinner menu, deserts and partially stocked bar, the lonely strip is poised to gain new nightlife. Much of the focus on revitalizing business in the city has been limited to uptown and the waterfront, but those who have invested east of the tracks; Monkey Joes, Joey D's, Top Nosh and now Rendezvous Lounge have made their way without much help from city agencies.

With their recently approved liquor license and cabaret permit, the girls are ready to score a new crowd. Catering to the alternative crowd, new faces are likely to show up. The upper lounge is rentable for small parties and if just skipping by, take advantage of the window service at the sidewalk.

NEW CAFE: @BROADWAY's SOFT OPENING

 

Great news! A new business has opened on Broadway in Kingston. A new Cafe called @BROADWAY, located at 346 Broadway just a few steps east of the Kingston Hospital. 

 

Everyone should appreciate all the work done to restore this property. The neighborhood between Foxhall and East Chester is seeing a gradual change for the better and this Cafe will help this area thrive again.

The second floor is destined to be a piano lounge and  Lyn (pictured above) expects to offer entertainment through the week. Work is still in progress so stay alert for future announcements. 

And if you're on the run, feel free to hit the sidewalk service window for a to-go order. You may even find Jason on duty in the window seat. Maybe.

BIG BELLY TRASH COMPACTORS

Standing here is Steve Noble.
He's obviously not the "Big Belly" I refer to in the title.
For those of you driving around the City of Kingston in the last week, you'll notice the new high tech trash bins in some of our most notorious trashy locations along Broadway.

The novelty of the solar powered trash crusher is enough (we hope) to get the locals to use the collector. Steve, his wife Julie and the Recycling Coordination staff have worked a long time to acquire these compactors and I think I speak for everyone when I say Job Well Done!

I sometimes infuriate my friends and family when I make the statement that "People who step over trash are no better than the people who threw it there." Now people along Broadway may find it a curious duty to get the wrapper or cup in their hand into the compactor just to see if they are the one to trigger the crusher.

We shall see.

BROADWAY WALGREENS: FINALLY

Brownfields be damned! After six years of waiting, the Walgreens on Broadway is finally poised to break ground.

Today's paper finally made mention of the machines doing some surface work on the site and the Mayor is pleased to see action on the corner. I too am pleased.

For to long, we waited for the clean-up process to occur. Looking at that fenced in gravel lot in the middle of the commercial district gave the impression of neglect in Ward Nine. Very unsettling.

The one factor in the re-use of the property was the loss of the trolley barn. That is probably the saddest part of the brownfield clean-up. I actually carry that loss with me as a reminder of what can be lost as a result of irresponsible handling of toxic chemicals. We've learned much since those early days...Maybe.

Walgreens , the second in Kingston, will be paying taxes; thats a good thing. They will be offering jobs too. Not the highest paying jobs, but with Burgerking on the same corner, it fits well with the Broadway payscale. I'm expecting the proximity of the pharmacy and grocery to help locals with limited mobility.

As I did with some other construction sites in the city, I'll post pictures of the progress here to show those of you who don't get around Kingston much.

STREET CAN LINERS 101

Can I say that it was nice to see some of the commercial waste cans out on the curb for the big parade this weekend!

Thank you DPW for having them available for the slim group of spectators that chose to use them.

I am always amazed at the condition of the streets and sidewalks after a parade or street festival. I get the impression we are performing for animals instead of the other way around.

However, there is one point I would ask of our municipal can maintenance crew. Please find a way to keep the bags from falling in the can at the first breeze. The instant the bag falls in, someone will run up and throw half a milkshake on top of the folded bag. This defeats the purpose and makes retrieval near impossible.

Above, you see a can with a bag falling in. Nice example right?
To the left, I am re-setting the bag. I know, there's a glare off my head.

Now, here's the best part. When attempting to steady a bag to prevent it from falling in as soon as you walk away, simply slap a 12 inch strip of duct tape on the outside. Adhere six inches on one side, pull the bag tight, and press the remaining six inches. This is enough to keep the bag stationary for the whole week.

If anyone needs a lesson in person, simply ask, and I'll see that the superintendent makes an hour available one Friday afternoon.

THE CHILDRENS DAY PARADE

I just thought to post some pictures from this Friday's Childrens Day Parade here in Kingston.

I didnt see many of the Ward Nine residents along the street so I thought to take pictures and let you all see the kids and their parents having fun. (101 dalmations pictured left)

The parade starts at Andrew St and ends at the Kingston Plaza where the carnival is set up as the reception.

The city busses offer free rides back to midtown east for those who parked in the school area. But the effor tis worth it.

Fire engines and DARE officers as well as local churches and youth groups all made their way down Broadway. (finding Nemo pictured right)

For those who know what a good walk through town can do for you, I make the most of it and walk back, but not without seeing the parade that follows.

Here is one video of the participants in mid-parade:

MUNICIPAL PRIORITIES 101

Most readers will think Im reading too much into this, but whywould I come home from work on a Friday evening, drive down Broadway and see the municipal garbage cans are overflowing with trash?

Initially, I thought,,,It's Friday, we had Monday off so the task shift affected the routine garbage collection. So I continued downtown. The cans were empty. Every municipal garbage can below Garraghan Drive was empty!

Tell me, do we have a priority issue here?

MIDTOWN UPGRADES: FACADE GRANT

This is a picture of the new facade of Park Opticians on Broadway in Kingston.

This upgrade was accomplished with the design and financial help of the City of Kingston. Say what?

There are programs designed specifically for the betterment of our streetscape in our commercial districts. The tree commission, the sidewalk program and the Facade Grant.

This peticular renovation stems from CDBG monies that were slated specifically for Facades and dispersed through the Kingston Midtown Business Association. The end result puts a fresh face on a current business. Job well done.

Here are two additional candidates for the program, but have resisted to take part because of the language barrier and a distrust in government programs. Im sure the money will be used along the Broadway corridor in some positive manor if the two storefronts dont accept it, I just hope they continue the progress they have shown so far.

KMBA, with the help of, Valieri Consulting, a design firm out of Saratoga, has developed a Midtown Revitalization Building Plan which is poised to rethink the future of Broadway. From hight specifications to acceptable building materials at the sidewalk. The goal is to have our expectations known at the onset when a developer invests in our commercial district. What better way to promote a stable growth initiative to outside sources than to have a plan in place?

Good work KMBA!