POUGHKEEPSIE – A beautification project is underway on Main Street in the City of Poughkeepsie. The $50,000 project taking place between Market and Hamilton Streets, includes the installation of eight benches – four on each side of Main Street, fence-style tree wells around each tree, complemented by mulch, flower pots hanging from every light pole, and double wide corrals containing both trash and recycling cans, similar to the ones at the Civic Center bus terminal.
The project was the idea of Second Ward Councilman Evan Menist, who recruited former City Planner Natalie Quinn in the design process. In 2022, each of the council members received $50,000 of American Rescue Plan funds for discretionary spending. Menist allocated his share for his vision of how Main Street should look.
Calling it a “modest investment,” Menist said he’s proud to be spending the ARP money on the beautification project. He described the improvements as ones “that will make a trip to our downtown more pleasant and appealing for residents and visitors alike.” He claims that the investment will support small businesses in the improvement area, adding that it makes the city a “more beautiful, accessible, and walkable place to live.”
With a plan to spend even more money, Menist told Mid-Hudson News that he wants to create what he calls the “Main Street Million” program that calls for allocating one million dollars of remaining rescue plan money to expand the beautification projects for the length of Main Street while adding security cameras and lighting to make the area safer and more inviting to both residents and visitors.
City DPW workers began working on the project at dawn on April 17th, starting with the benches. The work is being done between 5 and 7 in the morning to avoid interfering with the daily vehicle and pedestrian traffic on Main Street.
Just a few years ago, the city partnered with Scenic Hudson and installed benches in Mural Square Park on Main Street near the new benches. After receiving several complaints of people sleeping on the park benches, small risers were installed to make the benches uncomfortable for sleeping. The alterations were unsuccessful and the benches were removed a few short years ago.
Mid-Hudson News video of the project:
https://youtu.be/1PA31n3XIsQ
