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The City of Kingston has won an appeal in the State Supreme Court, allowing it to proceed with plans to demolish the Pike Plan canopies in Uptown Kingston. The appellate judges ruled that the canopies are owned by the city and are not immovable fixtures of the buildings, as argued by William Gottlieb Real Estate. Mayor Steven Noble announced that the city will issue a request for proposals to find a contractor for the demolition, which is expected to begin in winter 2026. The city plans to spend $1.2 million, approved by the common council in August 2024, for the removal of the canopies, repairs to building façades, and installation of new lighting to better illuminate sidewalks and storefronts.
The decision follows a lawsuit by Neil Bender’s William Gottlieb Real Estate, which sought to stop the demolition by claiming ownership of the canopies. The court's ruling stated that ownership of the canopies is vested in the city and not in the property owners. The court also noted that the city had relieved the plaintiffs from any further tax assessments or maintenance costs related to the canopies in a 2017 resolution.
Mayor Noble emphasized the importance of safety and the need to address the deterioration of the canopies, which have been involved in near-tragic incidents. He highlighted the successful removal and restoration of a building façade at 300 Wall Street as an example of the benefits of the demolition. The ruling is part of a series of lawsuits filed by William Gottlieb Real Estate against the city over the Pike Plan.