KINGSTON, N.Y. Engineer John Schultheis stated that the Franklin Street Complete Streets project will not have a significant environmental impact because it is designed to replace existing city infrastructure.
“It’s going to involve new sidewalks, curb work, pavement markings, curb ramps, all designed to make Franklin Street much more walkable,” Schultheis told the Common Council’s Laws and Rules Committee during a meeting Wednesday evening, Jan. 19. As part of the project’s approvals, he said, the council would need to adopt a resolution declaring the work to be a “Type II” action under the state’s Environmental Quality Review Act, noting that it would have no significant negative environmental impact.
Schultheis stated that the project is partially funded through a grant from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The city will pay the rest. He said the city is in the process of completing the project’s final design and preparing to go out to bid on the construction. Schultheis stated that the project could be put up for bid in early spring. It could then be constructed in the summer or fall.
At Schultheis’ request, the committee endorsed a resolution declaring the project would have no significant negative environmental impact. This resolution must be voted on by the entire council.
The Franklin Street Complete Streets Project aims to improve pedestrian/cyclist accessibility and enhance the street’s overall visual quality, as the city stated in a press statement. According to the release the project will make improvements all along Franklin Street, including planting new street trees.
Part of the project is being paid for with a $750,000 grant from the DEC’s Climate Smart Communities Grant program.
