News Flash

City Releases Its 2024 CDBG Application

The city has released its 2024 Community Development Block Grant application, which is available on the city’s website.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a federally funded formula-based grant allocated to eligibl...

City to Host Youth Services Support Seminar

City officials will host a free, two-day youth services seminar in early December, providing the public with information on the city’s youth grant program and assisting them in creating and sustaining a nonprofit organization.

Mayor Marc Nelson a...

Statement by Mayor Nelson Regarding Yvonne Flowers' Historic Victory in Mayor's Race

“Congratulations to Yvonne Flowers on her profound victory in the City of Poughkeepsie mayoral race. Yvonne has served the Common Council and the community with the utmost distinction, and I am confident she will continue to work tirelessly on b...

City to Begin Curbside Leaf Pickup on November 6

The Department of Public Works will begin curbside leaf pickup Monday, Nov. 6 and will continue until Dec.18 or the first major snowfall.Wards 4, 6, 7 and 8 will be serviced the first three weeks; wards 1, 2, 3 and 5 will be serviced the last thr...

City To Digitize More Historical Records

City officials announced today they have received a $50,000 grant from the New York State Archives and are embarking on an initiative to digitize historical records.

The city secured the grant through the Chamberlain’s office, which is responsible for the ...

City Seeks Input on Housing Vacancy Study

The city has contracted with the Collective for Community Culture and Environment (CCCE) to assist in determining the vacancy rate in buildings completed prior to Jan. 1, 1974, that contain at least six (6) dwelling units. The Housing Vacancy Rat...

City Seeks Industrial Development Agency Members

The Common Council is seeking individuals interested in serving on the Industrial Development Agency of the City of Poughkeepsie. Interested applicants must currently reside in the City of Poughkeepsie.

The IDA assists economic development projects that cr...

Council Seeks Salary Review Commission Members

The City Common Council is looking for members of the public to serve on the City of Poughkeepsie Salary Review Commission. Please send letters of interest and resumes to Jasmin Davis, City Chamberlain; City Hall, Office of the City Chamberlain, 62 Civic ...

Mayor Releases Preliminary 2024 Budget

Mayor Marc Nelson has released his 2024 preliminary budget that lowers the tax rate, continues to close the gap on the city’s longstanding deficit, maintains essential government services and makes critically important capital improvemen...

City Seeks Ice House Operator at Waryas

 The city is seeking a qualified operator for the Ice House at Waryas Park, which has previously served as an anchor restaurant on the city’s most active waterfront park. The deadline for submissions to the city’s Request for Proposal is November...

City Sets Meeting on Draft Zoning Code

After approving a new comprehensive plan last year, city officials are continuing to work on amendments to the corresponding zoning code and will hold a last community forum at the Family Partnership Center on Wednesday, September 27 at 5 p.m.Zoning regul...

City Holds Meeting on Kaal Rock Park Plan

The city plans to make renovations to Kaal Rock Park and held a public meeting Wednesday, September 20 before it finalizing design plans.You can watch a video of the meeting here. The city has identified Kaal Rock Park as an underutilize...

City's Fiscal Condition Improves: Comptroller

City officials have been notified by the Office of the State Comptroller that this year’s preliminary “Fiscal Stress Score” has improved from “Significant Fiscal Stress” to “Susceptible to Fiscal Stress.” The two-step improvement in the Comptroller’s rati...

Public Notice: City to Begin Accepting Applications for Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List

Public Notice

The City of Poughkeepsie Section 8 Office Housing Choice Voucher Program will begin accepting applications for placement onto the Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List beginning Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 9:30am, through Wednesday, Octobe...

City Secures Grant for Fire Equipment

The city Fire Department has received a $324,450 federal grant to purchase vital equipment that provides breathable air to firefighters when they are dealing with smoke, dangerous gases, and other airborne contaminants.

The Fire Department has obtained the...

City to Begin Work on Grand Avenue Project

As part of its continuing work to improve city streets, the city will begin making significant improvements along Grand Avenue between Hooker and College avenues.

The city has retained Creighton Manning Engineering, LLP to perform preliminary and final des...

City Opts Not to Move Forward on DeLaval Now

City officials announced today they have decided not to move forward with the submissions received regarding the development of a prominent 14-acre site on the city’s southern waterfront.

The city created a Request for Expressions of Interest (RF...

City Addresses Lead Pipe Removal Issue

City officials are providing the following important information about lead pipes in the city.

Lead in drinking water does not come from the Poughkeepsies' Water Treatment Plant. However, homes built before 1986 may contain lead services or lead s...

City Police Help to Prevent Suicide Attempt

The city Police Department responded to a report of a suicidal male near the Mid-Hudson Bridge entrance late Monday afternoon.  

Multiple officers responded to the area of the bridge and located the subject in distress who upon observing the appro...

City Sets July 4th Fireworks Event

The city will host its annual Independence Day Fireworks Display on Tuesday, July 4th shortly after nightfall (approximately 9:20 pm). 

Watch for free from Waryas Park, at the base of Main Street; or purchase a ticket for a vantage point at Walkwa...

City Releases Plans for Swimming Pools

The city will continue extended hours at Spratt Park Pool each day until Aug. 25.The city demolished the old pool house at the Pulaski Park pool site and is using $2.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover the cost. The new pool hous...

City Renovates Malcolm X Park

A ribbon-cutting to celebrate the reopening of Malcolm X Park took place Thursday, June 8, 2023, hosted by the City of Poughkeepsie, New City Parks, and Scenic Hudson.

Speakers included Mayor Marc Nelson, Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’...

City to Start Home Rehabilitation Loan Program for Seniors

Mayor Marc Nelson and Common Council Chairwoman Natasha Brown announced today that funding will be made available to help eligible senior citizens make repairs to their homes. 

The funding is designed to help seniors live safely and independently ...

City Sets Meeting on Bartlett Park Plan

The city is planning to make improvements to Bartlett Park, including the replacement of recently removed children’s play equipment and the proposed implementation of a basketball court. The city will hold a public workshop from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tu...

City Honored With ECO-Action Champions Award

This week, the city was awarded the ECO-action Champion Award for its clean energy leadership. The city was recognized for accelerating the clean energy transition by among other climate actions, enabling 8,000 households to switch to clean, renewable ene...

Grievance Day set for May 23

The city has set grievance day for May 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers, City Hall, Third Floor. This is for those property owners who wish to grieve their assessments

For additional information contact the assessor's office: 845-451-4039...

Lafayette Marker Unveiled at Waryas

Mayor Marc Nelson joined several historical organizations Monday for the unveiling of a Lafayette Trail marker at Waryas Park. The marker commemorates the upcoming 200th anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette’s return visit to the United States as the last l...

City Names Members of Salary Review Commission

The Mayor and Common Council have named members to the city’s Poughkeepsie Salary Review Commission. 

Under the new City Charter, adopted by voter referendum in November 2016, there will be a Salary Review Commission every four years to ...

City Seeks Input on Kaal Rock Park

The city has identified Kaal Rock Park as an underutilized park in need of rehabilitation and is working to make improvements with public input.The city has retained LaBella Associates to assist with the park’s revitalization, and the project team will de...

Common Council Seeks City Residents for IDA

The Common Council is seeking individuals interested in serving on the city’s Industrial Development Agency. Interested applicants must currently reside in the City of Poughkeepsie. 

The IDA assists economic development projects that create or oth...

Main Street Gets Spruce Up Project

The city Department of Public Works installed new benches, dual trash and recycle receptacles and tree guards this week on Main Street. 

Second Ward Common Council Member Evan Menist funded this $50,000 project through ward money allocated to each...

City Fire Department Continues Hydrant Testing

The city Fire Department will begin servicing and testing the City fire hydrant system (weather permitting).  This system is directly linked to the drinking water supply. During the testing period, the water is safe but should be run until it is ...

City Expands Curbside Pickup of Bulk Items

The city is expanding its curbside pickup of bulk items this year following a fire that destroyed the transfer station. There will be four pick up days: May 3, May 10, May 17 and May 24. The service will be free due to the transfer station being ...

City Announces Youth Grant Awards

Mayor Marc Nelson announced today more than $470,000 in funding to community organizations through the Youth Activities & Opportunities grant program. 

In 2018, the City of Poughkeepsie launched the initiative and awarded nearly $140,000 in fu...

City Sets Preliminary Paving Schedule

Mayor Marc Nelson and the Department of Public Works have announced a preliminary road paving list, with paving expected to begin later this spring.

The preliminary list includes:

Corlies Avenue from Main Street to the Arterial

Harrison Street from Smith Str...

City Officials Release Statements on Zoning Code Draft

Mayor Marc Nelson, Council Chairwoman Natasha Brown, and Council Vice Chair Nathan Shook issued statements today that they will not support amendments to the city’s zoning code which would have permitted the construction of detached accessory dw...

City Issues Water System Notice

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

Town of Poughkeepsie & City of Poughkeepsie Failed to Meet Public Water System Requirements

Our water system recently violated a drinking water requirement. Although this is not an emergency, as our custom...

City releases 2023 CDBG Grant Application

The city has released its 2023 Community Development Block Grant application.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a federally funded formula-based grant allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to eligible cities....

Public Input Sought on Zoning Code Changes

Mayor Marc Nelson has announced he has directed the Development Department to extend the public comment period through February 23, 2023 for comments to the first draft of amendments to the city’s Zoning Code. 

City officials are updatin...

City Offering $490,000 in Youth Activity Grants

City Mayor Marc Nelson announced today that $490,000 is being made available to community organizations through the city’s Youth Activities & Opportunities Grant Program.

The city created the program in 2018 with $140,000 in seed money. Over the years,...

Council Members Participate in Training

Common Council members recently participated in key training programs hosted by the city’s Corporation Counsel, Development, and Finance departments.The members received more insights on the city’s planning and zoning laws and budgetin...

Nelson to become Children's Cabinet Co-Chair

The Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet announced today that — upon becoming City of Poughkeepsie Mayor in January — Marc Nelson will also replace outgoing Mayor Rob Rolison as co-chair of the Cabinet with Poughkeepsie City Schoo...

City Releases Draft of Zoning Code Changes

City officials have released the first draft of amendments to its zoning code that would streamline the number of districts and modernize the regulations to address development trends.

The city has not updated its zoning code on a citywide scale in 40 year...

Nelson Selects Transition Team

City Administrator Marc Nelson has named former City Corporation Counsel Paul Ackermann to lead his transition team as Nelson prepares to assume the office of Mayor in January. Ackermann, an attorney, joined the City as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in...

Transfer Station Closed Due to Fire

A fire damaged part of the city’s Department of Public Works complex on Howard Street last week. 

No one was injured but, as a result of the fire, the transfer station will be closed until further notice and needed repairs can be assesse...

Celebration of Lights Delights Crowd

The city's Celebration of Lights event took place last Friday, Dec. 2, and featured dance and musical performances, food trucks, floats, Santa Claus and fireworks.

This year, the various festivities centered around Dongan Square Park, and a &l...

City Names First Youth Services Director

Mayor Rob Rolison announced today that Karen Williams has been named director of youth services, a new position and division that will nurture and focus on child development in the city.

Williams will be tasked with the analysis, development, promotion and...

Malcolm X Park Upgrades to Start

City officials are pleased to announce that Malcolm X Park Improvements will begin this month.The Department of Public Works will oversee the reconstruction of Malcolm X work, which the city has planned and funded in conjunction with New City Par...

City officials Among Attendees at Harvard Conference with Children's Cabinet

Last week, City Administrator Marc Nelson and Councilmember Yvonne Flowers were part of a local contingent representing the Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet at a national conference hosted by the EdRedesign Lab at the Harvard Gr...

City Creates New Website Providing Insights and Easy Views of Budget

The city has launched a website providing the public with easy ways to look at the approximate $103 million budget and its various components, as well as offering new insights on vital demographic information in the city.

The website features graphics and ...

City Releases Housing Needs Assessment

City officials have released a comprehensive study that highlights the challenges and opportunities it is facing regarding recent housing trends.

The report was prepared by Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a not-for-profit policy, planning, advocacy and...

Development Director Quinn Provides Chamber of Commerce With Update

City Development Director Natalie Quinn provided an update Wednesday to Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce on projects that have completed or begun construction in the city in the last few years.Quinn also discussed large projects recently appro...

City of Poughkeepsie Corporation Counsel Ackermann to Leave Position Next Month

City Officials announced today that city attorney Paul Ackermann will be leaving his position of Corporation Counsel next month, after nearly 14 years of service. Mr. Ackermann joined the City as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in February of 2008 before...

City of Poughkeepsie Looking for Community-Minded Volunteers to Serve on Land Use Review Boards

Mayor Rolison announced today the City is looking for residents to serve on a number of land use review boards: Planning Board, Historic District and Landmark Preservation Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Waterfront Advisory Committee, and Shade Tree ...

Regents Hears Children's Cabinet Presentation

Poughkeepsie City School District Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser and Mayor Rob Rolison, co-chairs of the Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet, presented to the New York State Board of Regents about the cabinet at the Regents meeting on Feb. 15 in Albany.&a...

City Names Poughkeepsie Attorney Valk to Lead Its Corporation Counsel

Mayor Rob Rolison announced today the appointment of city resident Rebecca A. Valk as Corporation Counsel, pending Common Council approval.

Attorney Valk served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the city for two years, from 2013 to 2015, when she gained...

City Creates Website Devoted To American Rescue Plan Act

Mayor Rob Rolison has announced the creation of a website that enables the public to find out more about the federal American Rescue Plan Act, provide important feedback and track the city’s use of these funds.

The city has been awarded a total o...

City Sets Second Open House And Survey for ‘PK4Keeps’ Project

City officials are continuing the work to update the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Codes and have scheduled another open house, created a second survey and have made updates to the project website, PK4Keeps.org.

The city is seeking public input as it build...

City of Poughkeepsie Puts More Funding Into Emergency Rent Relief Program

Mayor Rob Rolison announced today that more funding is being made available through a COVID-19 Emergency Rent program for low- and moderate-income households struggling through the pandemic. 

Tenants who are eligible can receive up to six consecut...

City of Poughkeepsie Awarded $3.5 Million State Grant to Repair Sewer Line, Protect Environment

The city has been awarded an approximate $3.5 million state grant to reduce groundwater infiltration into the sanitary sewer system, combating the impacts of water runoff that can overwhelm the city’s sewer system and cause “combined sewer overflows” or C...

Check Out Latest Issue of The Buzz Newsletter!

Tree-lighting ceremony set for tonight, Mayor-elect Flowers to take oath of office on Jan. 2, Lieutenant Governor visits Poughkeepsie to learn more about service programs, all this and more in The Buzz: City of Poughkeepsie E-Newsletter — Decemb...

City Sets Third Open House for ‘PK4Keeps’ Planning Project

City officials are continuing to update the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Codes and have scheduled a third open house — this one focusing on the mission to “convert goals into action.” The city has been gaining considerable pu...

City to Distribute Limited Supply of Free COVID-19 Test Kits

The city has received a limited supply of COVID-19 test kits and will begin distributing them on a first-come, first-serve basis from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at the front desk at the City Police Station, 62 Civic Center Plaza. 

The city also wil...

City’s Share of County Sales Tax to Increase Under New 10-Year Agreement

The cities of Poughkeepsie and Beacon and Dutchess County have reached a new 10-year agreement governing the distribution of sales tax by the county to cities and towns. 

The agreement was recently approved by the Beacon City Council and was appro...