Kingston’s “King’s Inn” lot was the site of a hotel that was abandoned for years, and subsequently used by the US Army in a nuclear dirty bomb drill before being demolished in 2011. Despite a 2018 commitment from the city to develop this land and an October 2022 announcement of a development project, it remains vacant, save for the occasional pop-up farmer’s market or other community event.
Mayor Noble assured the public on Wednesday that despite appearances, an ambitious 70-apartment, mixed-use development is still moving forward on the lot. Planned are 70 apartments — desperately needed in the throes of the city’s ongoing housing crisis — including 14 affordable units and 56 workforce-priced units. There are also plans for EV chargers, bike storage, 7,000 square feet of commercial space and a central public plaza dubbed the Pauline Oliveros Deep Listening Space.
What’s the hold up? Baxter Development is working on an easement with the Salvation Army at 35 Cedar St. for vehicle access to a 37-space parking lot beneath a four-story residential building. Talks are also underway to acquire 4,000 square feet of adjacent Salvation Army-owned land.
Noble predicted Planning Board approvals by March. A 18-24 month construction timeline was floated by architects without specifying a start date.
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