Dear Editor,

The Landmark Place Senior and Supportive Housing residences advocated by RUPCO is an important opportunity to modernize a historic building, generate revenue for Kingston, help the citys revitalization and assist those in need.

Hudson Valley Pattern For Progress is a regional planning and policy organization. Our highest priority is our Urban Action Agenda, which assists in the transformation of urban centers, including Kingston.

It is clear this recognizable structure will not return to commercial use.

So, an alternative use is not only appropriate, but needed. RUPCO cites that by 2020, Kingston will be short 2,300 units of affordable housing. This project proposes 66, a small but important step.

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Pattern For Progress supports the zoning change and RUPCO, a reputable community-first organization. We believe discussion would be more constructive if opponents worked with RUPCO to craft a project that addresses their concerns, be they security, supervision or other concepts. RUPCO will listen. RUPCO cares. Thats why it has undertaken this project in the first place.

Kingston has impressively taken many strides. Its vibrancy is appealing; its tech and arts centers are alluring. But poverty and other concerns still exist. You cannot wish them away. There is a moral obligation to say, There are residents of Kingston that need our help. That is what strong cities do.

The community should consider the zoning change and invest its time not in a contentious, possibly legal battle, but instead working to achieve the best project possible.

Jonathan Drapkin

President and chief executive officer, Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress

Newburgh, N.Y.

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LETTER: Pattern for Progress supports RUPCO project - The Daily Freeman