CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN, KINGSTON LEADERS CELEBRATE $22 MILLION IN FEDERAL INVESTMENTS SECURED FOR CITY’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SHORELINE STABILIZATION

Congressman Pat Ryan, Kingston Leaders Celebrate $22 Million in Federal Investments Secured for City's Economic Development and Shoreline Stabilization

A fifth-generation Kingston native, revitalization of the City's Historic Waterfront Business District has been a top priority for Congressman Ryan throughout his time in office; in 2023, he secured a $21.7 million RAISE grant to construct transportation infrastructure

New funding builds off that initial investment; Ryan secured $250,000 in FY26 to reconstruct a failing bulkhead along Rondout Creek, providing public access to the waterfront and creating a walkway to connect new housing developments, local businesses, and a paved recreation trail

If the bulkhead is left to continue deteriorating, several historic structures would be destroyed by the collapsing seawall

Ryan also announced that he's secured the inclusion of $1.8 million in FY27 Community Project Funding for improvements to TR Gallo Waterfront Park

CITY OF KINGSTON, NY - Today, Congressman Pat Ryan joined Kingston leaders to celebrate millions in federal investments secured for the City's economic development and critical infrastructure improvements along the Historic Waterfront Business District.

A fifth-generation Kingston native, revitalization of the City's Historic Waterfront Business District has been a top priority for Congressman Ryan throughout his time in office. In 2023, he secured a $21.7 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant to construct transportation infrastructure, including vital pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle connections, which is now moving forward with an executed grant contract.

New funding that Ryan secured builds off the initial investment. Standing alongside local, county, and state elected officials, Ryan celebrated the additional $250,000 he delivered to the City of Kingston this year to reconstruct a failing bulkhead along the City's Waterfront Business District. If the bulkhead is left to continue deteriorating, several historic structures would be destroyed by the collapsing seawall. The reconstruction will provide improved public access to the waterfront, creating a walkway to connect to new housing developments, local businesses, and a paved recreation trail.

Ryan also announced that he's secured the inclusion of $1.8 million in FY27 Community Project Funding for improvements to TR Gallo Waterfront Park. Committee passage is the first step in the process, and funding will only be made available when the bill is passed by Congress and signed into law, which Ryan continues to fight for.

"As a fifth-generation Kingston native, fighting for my hometown is one of the most rewarding parts of this job. Delivering a historic $22 million is a massive win for our Kingston community, and builds off of years of progress and advocacy at every level," said Congressman Pat Ryan. "The waterfront in particular is an incredibly special place to me - my family landed at the Rondout when they came from Ellis Island - and with this investment, we're preserving the rich history of Kingston and all the families who call it home. Revitalizing the Kingston waterfront is something I've been pushing for since my time as County Executive - now, we can use this funding to protect against future flood damage, build desperately needed housing, and spur the growth of our exceptional small businesses. Across the Hudson Valley, we're making critical investments that will serve our communities for generations to come - and we're just getting started."

"I want to thank Congressman Pat Ryan for his unwavering support of Kingston, including the recent Community Project funding for our Rondout Riverport Shoreline Stabilization, which is a fundamental part of the Weaving the Waterfront projects," said Kingston Mayor Steve Noble. "We were thrilled to receive an unprecedented $21.7 million in Federal RAISE grants thanks to the support of our Senators and Congressman Ryan. We are so grateful for this investment in Kingston, specifically to help us revitalize our Downtown. Our Waterfront area is already vibrant, and we know with this investment, this entire area will see continued economic growth, enhanced amenities for residents and visitors, and much-needed protections to guard against climate-related flooding disasters."

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "Here in Kingston, our historic waterfront is a treasured community landmark, and I'm proud to be part of the coalition of federal, state, and local leaders working to protect it and keep it accessible for all our neighbors. We secured one of the largest infusions of state funding to safeguard the waterfront, and I'm grateful to Congressman Ryan for delivering further investments that will support the next phase of the project, improve public access and help our local economy. This is a vital economic and environmental resource for our community, and we want it to be available for generations to come."

"Kingston's waterfront is one of Ulster County's greatest treasures, and these federal investments will help protect and fortify this area in the face of climate change and its impacts. Rebuilding the failing bulkhead is essential to safeguarding the historic structures that define this district and to ensuring continued public access to the Rondout," said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. "Together with the earlier RAISE grant and the proposed improvements at TR Gallo Park, this work supports a more resilient shoreline and a more connected, accessible waterfront for residents and visitors alike. I want to thank Congressman Ryan for championing federal support for essential work as well as Mayor Noble for his leadership and partnership in bolstering our climate resilience."

"A failing bulkhead isn't an abstract infrastructure problem - it's a threat to the museums, shops, restaurants, and gathering places that make the Rondout so vital. Thanks to Congressman Ryan's efforts, we're protecting what residents love about this waterfront today while investing in its economic future for decades ahead," said Peter Criswell, Chair, Ulster County Legislature.

Carli Fraccarolli, Government Relations Manager for Scenic Hudson, said, "Scenic Hudson is thrilled to stand with Congressman Pat Ryan and the City of Kingston to celebrate these monumental federal investments. Securing Community Project Funding for the Rondout Riverport Shoreline Stabilization project provides a critical foundation for protecting Kingston's historic waterfront from climate-driven flooding. When paired with the $21.7 million RAISE grant - the largest infrastructure award in Kingston's history, which Congressman Ryan helped secure in 2023 - we are witnessing Kingston's visionary 'Weaving the Waterfront' initiative come to life. These investments will elevate flood-prone roads, boost local business districts, and build vital, carbon-free transit connections linking residents directly to the Kingston Greenline, the Empire State Trail, Sojourner Truth State Park, and the Hudson and Rondout waterfronts. We look forward to continued partnership with the Congressman and the City to ensure these investments benefit generations to come."

"Clearwater is thrilled to see continued investment in the Rondout Creek Waterfront. From our Homeport at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, we see firsthand how much the Kingston community and tourists alike appreciate and enjoy the Rondout Creek, and restoring the bulkhead will help ensure safe community access to the waterfront for decades to come," said David Toman, Executive Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.

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