KINGSTON – This summer, with funding from the State Environmental Facilities Corporation Green Innovation Grant Program, the City of Kingston will reconstruct three public parking lots in Midtown using green stormwater infrastructure.
This project supports the city’s efforts to help protect the waters of the Rondout Creek and Hudson River while meeting the need for parking in the center of town — specifically in the existing lots between Broadway and Downs Street, Cornell and Thomas Streets, and Broadway and Jansen Avenue.
Green infrastructure practices, such as the use of bioswales and permeable pavers, prevent untreated stormwater from entering closed drainage systems, which are the main mechanism to convey stormwater in urban areas.
Water pollution is a concern in more populated locations like Kingston because of the lack of pervious area that allows infiltration. By integrating green infrastructure into parking lots and along sidewalks, stormwater can be filtered before the water enters rivers and streams.
Stormwater runoff, which can lead to erosion and flooding, can be reduced.
Engineering Consultants began developing designs for this project in 2019. Along with city staff, they’ve since met with residents serving on the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) for input about the best layouts. In addressing the alternatives for each lot, the PAC considered the number of parking spaces, appropriate green infrastructure practices, and parking lot circulation for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists.
These discussions weighed existing constraints with the possible alternatives and the project budget.
Take a look at the final plans:
