On a brisk Monday afternoon last week, passersby at the intersection of Greenkill Avenue and Route 32 in Kingston would have noticed an intriguing instillation of book shelves, benches and cafe tables on the side of an empty parking lot. The intersection, referred to as “Five Ways to Die” by locals, is the future home of the Lucky Green Ladies cannabis dispensary, the owners of which are from Massachusetts. The busy intersection also hosts a convenience store, pizza parlor, bakery and liquor store, each with its own parking lot. The Empire State Trail also runs through the intersection.
The technique used by local citizens at the Five Ways to Die intersection is commonly known as tactical urbanism. An effort by citizens to physically and spatially arrange ephemeral placemaking objects in an effort to reimagine a volume of space into something more benevolent than currently exists. It is an effective way to allow others to think about repurposing public space.
When municipal government bodies tasked with waivers from existing zoning codes, review applications they are principalbly informed by whether or not a hardship exists that is not the making of the applicant. The waiver that the cannabis business is asking for does not qualify as a hardship. The code is explicit. It was in place at the time of the waiver therefore there is no hardship. Waiver denied. Citizens should not accept any other outcome.
The technique used by local citizens at the Five Ways to Die intersection is commonly known as tactical urbanism. An effort by citizens to physically and spatially arrange ephemeral placemaking objects in an effort to reimagine a volume of space into something more benevolent than currently exists. It is an effective way to allow others to think about repurposing public space.
When municipal government bodies tasked with waivers from existing zoning codes, review applications they are principalbly informed by whether or not a hardship exists that is not the making of the applicant. The waiver that the cannabis business is asking for does not qualify as a hardship. The code is explicit. It was in place at the time of the waiver therefore there is no hardship. Waiver denied. Citizens should not accept any other outcome.
Makes sense. I hope authorities take notice.
Thanks for bringing this to light.