Kingston Seeks Developer for Failed

Irish Cultural Center Property

KINGSTON, NY—The City of Kingston has released a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) from qualified development teams for the redevelopment of two city-owned parcels: 32 Abeel St. and 33–39 Abeel St. Respondents must submit a redevelopment proposal that encompasses both parcels. The deadline for submission is Sept. 30, 2026.

The first parcel, 32 Abeel St. is a 0.427-acre site situated between Abeel Street and the historic pedestrian-only Company Hill Path. The second parcel, 33–39 Abeel St. is a 0.266-acre site located directly across Abeel Street, bounded by Abeel Street and West Union Street.

The Common Council voted to accept the donation of the property in June 2026. The 32 Abeel St. parcel was previously approved by the Planning Board as the site of the proposed Irish Cultural Center. Although construction never substantially commenced, several site improvements were completed, including the installation of water and sewer connections, construction of new bluestone sidewalks along Abeel Street, and partial site clearing and excavation in preparation for development. The 33–39 Abeel St. parcel was intended to provide off-street parking, but no site work was undertaken.

The 32 Abeel St. parcel has been vacant for decades and until it was sold to the city was to the site of an Irish Cultural Center.

Prior to its acquisition for the proposed Irish Cultural Center, the property remained vacant for approximately 30 years. Historically, four buildings stood on the 33-39 Abeel St. parcel with two buildings fronting Abeel Street and two located closer to West Strand Street. Three additional structures stood on the 32 Abeel St. parcel, with two fronting W. Union Street and one fronting Abeel Street.

The city is welcoming a range of development concepts, including residential, mixed-use, commercial, cultural, civic, or other community-serving uses that contribute to the vitality of the neighborhood. In addition, the city seeks proposals for a “context-sensitive infill development that complements the historic character, scale, texture, architectural heritage, and pedestrian-oriented nature of the Rondout–West Strand Historic District.”

The RFEI can be accessed at: https://kingston-ny.gov/filestorage/8399/8469/48370/Request_for_Expressions_of_Interest_RFEI_Regarding_the_Development_of_32_and_33-39_Abeel_Street.pdf

Published: August 12, 2026.

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