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Orange County, NY - After seven years of negotiations and work to secure the necessary funding, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today helped break ground on the new Noah Hotel project along the Kingston waterfront. The hotel is the centerpiece of city's plan to revitalize the Rondout Creek.
"Today marks the dawning of a new era for the City of Kingston," Hinchey said. "As we break ground on the site of the new Noah Hotel, we are breaking ground on a future filled with exciting new economic and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Once the Noah Hotel is in place, I am certain that we will see many new and exciting avenues to grow our local economy and improve our quality of life even further. I'm delighted that I was able to play a part in making today a reality and I look forward to coming back in the near future for the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Noah Hotel for business."
Hinchey consistently worked over the past five years to secure federal funding for the Noah Hotel project. Overall, the congressman helped secure $8.466 million in federal funds and loans, which includes:
· $3.635 million -- HUD Canal Corridor Initiative and Regular Section 108 loan
· $3.3 million -- U.S. Treasury New Market Tax Credits
· $970,000 -- HUD Section 108 Loan Transferred from Esopus
· $461,000 -- HUD Economic Development Initiative Grant
· $100,000 -- KNEC Revolving Loan Fund
The Noah Hotel will have 57 rooms along with catering facilities, a spa, restaurant, and conference room. A 16-boat dock and marina will be constructed along the Rondout Creek directly in front of the hotel. The hotel will sit on the site of the former Forst meat packing plant, which Charles Blaichman bought through bankruptcy proceedings in May 2001. The former building was recently demolished, clearing the way for today's groundbreaking.
Earlier this year, Hinchey secured an additional $1.04 million from Congress to enhance the waterfront promenade by constructing a landscaped trail from the site of the Noah Hotel to Kingston Point. The trail will provide new waterfront recreational opportunities, with greater access to the Rondout and the waterfront commercial district. It will link the proposed developments along the waterfront and serve as a destination for residents and tourists. Funds will also be used for streetscaping including trees, lighting, benches, and other amenities.
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