Photo: SimpleImages / Moment / Getty Images
Kingston city officials have reached settlement agreements with nearly all property owners affected by the Pike Plan canopy demolition project in Uptown Kingston, with only eight buildings owned by developer Neil Bender's William Gottlieb Real Estate still in dispute. The settlements come as the project passes its halfway point and remains on schedule and within budget, according to Mayor Steve Noble.
As reported by the Daily Freeman, the city has offered $1,000 per deeded linear foot to owners of 31 additional buildings, bringing the total to 36 properties out of 44 under the canopies that have reached settlements. Combined with prior agreements—including a $27,440 deal with the Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center—the total payout is $1,273,210. The Common Council will vote on these settlements at its March meeting, after the Finance and Audit Committee approved them by a 4-1 vote, with Council Member Teryl Mickens dissenting.
The settlement funds will come from the city's fund balance and are separate from the $1.2 million previously budgeted for canopy removal, bringing the overall cost of the project, including settlements, to at least $2,473,210. According to city officials, the demolition is more than 50 percent complete and is expected to finish by Friday, March 13.
The only unresolved properties are eight buildings held by William Gottlieb Real Estate, which has filed six lawsuits against the city over the demolition. The company's attorney has promised further legal action, but as of Thursday, February 12, no new cases have been filed.
Mayor Noble assured local business owners that while the city cannot require settlement funds be used for facade repairs, efforts are underway to restore the areas exposed by the canopy removal. He said, "Our liability is waived, and that is give and take." He also explained that temporary plastic wraps covering facades will be replaced with historically accurate structures, and the city will soon seek an architect experienced with historic buildings for the next phase.
The demolition contractor, Beam Enterprises, has continued work despite severe winter weather, and nearly 40 construction workers are currently on site. The city expects $350,000 from the remaining budget will cover restoration for buildings needing repairs in the areas where the canopies were attached. Mayor Noble noted, "By the time we are done, even if not all property owners are done, Uptown will look a whole lot better than today. It won’t look like a construction site."
The project is projected to finish before the Pike Plan's 50th anniversary in April 2026, marking a significant change for Kingston’s historic uptown district. For more details about the settlement structure and project progress, see coverage at Daily Freeman.