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KINGSTON — The borough council heard a presentation marking the close of the King Edward revitalization project during Monday night’s regular council meeting.
The project identified Edwardsville’s Main Street, a portion of which is shared by both Edwardsville and Kingston, as a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategic Area, and resulted in the demolition of several blighted properties along with the renovation of others.
Although exact figures were unavailable, Councilwoman Nancy Cooper estimated that the seven-year project directed millions of dollars to area property owners looking to make improvements.
Some improvements include:
• Additional parking for Edwardsville’s municipal building.
• The construction of benches and sidewalk improvements to cater to the existing foot traffic in the area.
• Establishment of a usable lots for eventual commercial development.
• Assisting residents with the purchasing of homes.
• Expanding the entrance to Hopkins Park from Main Street.
Former Edwardsville Council and King Edward committee member Linda Zaneski pointed out that activity in the area is already noticeable and labeled the lot in the area of Edwardsville’s municipal building and Turkey Hill as ideal for the development of shops or offices.
Kingston officials praised the work of all involved in the project with Mayor James Haggerty describing it as “a model for future NRSA projects.”
In other community improvement matters, the borough held off on approving upgrades to the parks on West Vaughn Street and Schuyler Avenue.
After estimates from Borton Lawson Engineering calculated the cost of the project at roughly $144,000, Adam Gober of the borough’s Department of Public Works found that performing the bulk of the work internally could shrink that figure to $100,857.
Kingston officials will now review the specifications of their plans to make sure that a $110,000 community development grant will still be applicable.
The council will meet next at 7 p.m. April 6.