Kingston Residents Revolt Against $425K 'Soulless' Signage

Residents in Kingston, New York, have expressed their dissatisfaction with new wayfinding signs, labeling them as 'bland,' 'ugly,' and 'soulless.' The $425,000 initiative, crafted by Pennsylvania's MERJE and produced by New Jersey's Forge Signworks, was financed through federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The signs, which emerged from a 2018 study by the Ulster County Transportation Council, incorporate color-coded designs for various districts. Critics have pointed out the corporate look and the decision to outsource, disregarding Kingston's vibrant arts scene. Additionally, several signs incorrectly spelled 'Ulster' as 'Uster,' a mistake Forge rectified at no cost. In protest, resident Sharon Boyd, 76, chained herself to a historic sign. Mayor Steve Noble defended the initiative, emphasizing it utilized a minor portion of the city's $17.3 million ARPA funds.