Dear Scenic Hudson Member,

When developer AVR Realty first proposed the Hudson Landing project along the Hudson River in Kingston, many expected the plans would be rubber-stamped. Thanks to Scenic Hudson, the Friends of Kingston Waterfront (FoKW) coalition and people like you, we didn't let that happen. Over the last four years, we ensured your voice was heard at public meetings, where hundreds of you spoke out against a development that would impose a wall of buildings on the waterfront, desecrating magnificent views from both sides of the river and cutting off access to the shoreline.

Victories achieved

This Monday, April 13, the Kingston Planning Board plans to release its Findings Statement for Hudson Landing -- the final step in the mandatory State Environmental Quality Review process. While aspects of the proposal will require continuing careful oversight, I hope you'll share our sense of accomplishment in what has amounted to a complete redrafting of development plans directly reflecting recommendations made by Scenic Hudson, FoKW and you. I commend Kingston Mayor James Sottile, the planning board and AVR for responding to our concerns.

Project improvements include:

• Building units reduced from 2,182 to 1,682
• Building heights lowered to minimize visual impacts
• Two traditionally designed neighborhoods separated by a new park
• Buildings eliminated from a prominent ridgeline
• More woodlands conserved
• More public open space on the waterfront

In addition, we expect the Findings Statement will require that Hudson Landing's public waterfront trail will be among the first portions of the project constructed.

Moving forward, we'll continue to be heard

Once the developer presents its final designs for Hudson Landing, the planning board will commence a Site Plan Review -- a "nuts and bolts" look at how the development will be designed and built. We'll continue monitoring the project as it moves through Site Plan Review. The meetings will be open to the public, and once dates are scheduled, we'll let you know.

Since AVR announced plans to build Hudson Landing, Scenic Hudson worked to ensure the development wouldn't harm the region's magnificent scenic and ecological assets, would connect people with the Hudson River, and would be an economic asset to the city. While Hudson Landing may not be perfect, it's a far better project today thanks to Scenic Hudson, FoKW and supporters like you.

Sincerely,

Ned Sullivan
President

P.S. Some of you will receive this update in the mail as well. Please share this exciting news by passing this message along to your neighbors and friends. Thanks.