POUGHKEEPSIE – A vacant structure at 23 Hooker Avenue in Poughkeepsie will become the new home for an organization that helps residents find job skills and become productive. Nubian Directions’ mission is to provide technology training and work readiness skills and educational support services for youth and adults to enhance the workforce.
Nubian is getting a better deal than expected, going into Monday night’s Poughkeepsie Common Council meeting.
The original motion called for a sale price of $25,000, with deferred terms. In the end, an amendment was presented by Minority Leader Lee Klein, reducing the price.
“I would ask that there be an amendment for the sale price to be changed from $25,000 to $1,” Klein said to cheers.
The ovation came from a large contingent of Nubian supporters.
Many spoke during public comment, including William Artist, a construction
instructor in Nubian’s Youth Build program.
“We can teach our students how to fend for themselves and learn a trade better by hands on,” Artist said. “We have tried and proven we are worthy of this.”
In the end, the council agreed, after some debate, and an initial strong objection from ShaRon McClinton to dropping the price, citing the city’s financial situation.
She relented. The final vote was a unanimous 8-0.
