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Kingston's Corporation Council is urging a judge to reject a preliminary injunction that aims to stop the demolition of the Pike Plan canopies. The legal dispute involves the city and developer Neil Bender's William Gottlieb Real Estate over the canopies at Wall Street and North Front Street. Earlier this month, a temporary restraining order was granted, pausing the demolition efforts.
The city of Kingston had planned to remove the canopies, with the Common Council voting 6-2 to borrow over $1 million for the project. However, the restraining order remains in effect while the court reviews the case, delaying the demolition initially scheduled for April. The outcome of this legal battle will determine the future of the canopies in Kingston's historic Stockade District.
According to Hudson Valley One, the canopies, part of the Pike Plan since 1974, have been a point of contention. Bender's legal team attributes their poor condition to "reckless and ineffective stewardship" by the city. They argue that the city should not proceed with demolition, which they claim would destroy a key visual element of the district.
The city had intended to begin demolition after the Christmas shopping season, with plans to assess and repair the façades of affected buildings. However, the timeline for these projects is now uncertain due to the ongoing legal proceedings. The court's decision will be crucial in determining whether the city can proceed with its plans.