RUPCO Open House Shares Vision for Development of 300 Flatbush Avenue in Kingston, NY

RUPCO, the leading affordable housing advocate and innovative community developer in the Hudson Valley, is opening the doors at 300 Flatbush Avenue, Kingston. The developer invites the public to a free, informal open house on Saturday, February 18 between 10 a.m. and noon. RUPCO holds an option to purchase the building from Ulster County, pending a rezoning decision by the Kingston Planning Department.

"People have asked us if they can visit the building," notes Kevin O'Connor, Chief Executive Officer at RUPCO. "Many have fond memories of working here for the County. We want to show people the potential this site has to carry forward the vision of Kingston's forefathers, the vision of caring for the most vulnerable populations in our midst. Pending the rezoning to "multifamily," Landmark Place -- an integrated campus of affordable senior and supportive rental housing - is a strategic benefit for both area taxpayers and future residents."

The day's agenda includes:
•    Informal welcome on the steps of Landmark Place with Guy Kempe, Vice President of Community Development
•    Question & Answer rooms about supportive housing, senior housing, history and future development plans
•    Guided walk-throughs of the building with RUPCO staff
•    Local architect Scott Dutton, owner of Dutton Associates, to share his vision and renderings of the          
     proposed historical building renovation and new construction
•    Light refreshments will be served
•    Visitors should park in designated areas in the lower lot
•    The open house will be held rain or shine
"We want our neighbors and curious residents to visit the property in advance of the February 28 public hearing, to ask questions about what Landmark Place proposes," adds O'Connor. "We're here to give people an opportunity to hear what RUPCO envisions for the property; to see the architectural renderings created by Dutton Associates and to tour the building and grounds." A print piece, The Case for Landmark Place, factsheet, and other supporting materials will be on hand.
"At the request of the City of Kingston Planning Department, and as a courtesy to the public, we are making all relevant materials available on our website, www.rupco.org," says O'Connor. "We look to put another vacant, underutilized building back on the tax rolls. We're adding depth to the community by adding services and solutions to City and County residents. The Almshouse has stood strong throughout its history, it will stand stronger as Landmark Place, continuing to fulfill its original mandate - to care for the most at-risk populations in our community."

RUPCO, the leading affordable housing advocate and innovative community developer in the Hudson Valley, is a charter member of NeighborWorks America, a national network of 245 housing and community development change agents. RUPCO affects the lives of over 8,000 people through its work with homelessness, rental assistance, foreclosure prevention, first-time homebuyers, real estate development, home rehabilitation and energy efficiency. RUPCO currently owns/manages 15 properties with 411 apartments providing homes to over 560 people. The majority of those residents represent our community's most vulnerable populations: the elderly, seniors, disabled, veterans and working class families. RUPCO's Housing Choice Voucher Program helps 1983 families with rental subsidies. RUPCO awards $11 million to local landlords in Ulster and Greene Counties through this program alone. Through its NeighborWorks America HomeOwnership Center, RUPCO helped 81 first-time homebuyers in 2016 and another 75 in 2015 to achieve their American dream of homeownership. Through its subsidiary, RDAC assists Orange County homeowners through a variety of homeownership and weatherization services. Over the last five years, RUPCO's energy efficiency and weatherization program, Green Jobs | Green New York, has helped 2,409 homeowners complete energy audits; 523 of those families conducted energy retrofits worth $5.8 million to the local economy, saving money and energy throughout 10 counties. With 65 employees working in five offices, RUPCO is working on $75-million worth of real estate development in the Hudson Valley, including Energy Square, Landmark Place, The Metro and Louw-Borgadus House Ruin at Frog Alley in Kingston and the Newburgh Neighborhood CORe Revitalization project in Orange County. For more information, visit www.rupco.org.