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Demolition of the Pike Plan canopies in Kingston is set to begin today (January 12) following a court ruling. A federal judge denied a last-minute injunction request from developer Neil Bender's William Gottlieb Real Estate, allowing the city to proceed with its $1.2 million demolition plan. The canopies, erected in the 1970s, will be removed by Beam Enterprises, starting at North Front Street and moving toward Wall Street.
The demolition project faced legal challenges, with William Gottlieb Real Estate filing multiple lawsuits against the city. The firm argued that the demolition would harm the historic character of the buildings and result in uncompensated repair costs. However, Judge Anthony Brindisi ruled that the real estate firm did not have standing for a temporary restraining order, allowing the project to move forward.
Mayor Steve Noble announced the demolition start date after the court ruling, stating, "Things are moving forward as planned." The city has appropriated $1.2 million for the project, which is expected to be completed by March 13. During the demolition, Uptown parking lots will be free of charge, and sidewalks will remain open.
While the demolition proceeds, William Gottlieb Real Estate has indicated that further litigation is likely. The city plans to make the buildings water-tight and presentable after the canopies are removed. The project aims to restore the facades of the buildings, with permit fees for repairs waived through October 2027.