Work begins on replacing Kingston diner

Site work is underway on a project to replace a diner in Kingston with a self-storage facility. For more than 50 years there had been a diner at 620 Washington Ave. in Kingston, and about 15 years ago it became known as the Olympic Diner. A second building at the diner’s 1.9-acre site also is being replaced as part of the project. The project is by Diamond Point Development, LLC., and as of Nov. 20 the diner had been reduced to a pile of rubble.

The new three-story, 92,940-square-foot storage facility will have approximately 650 self-storage units. The proposal underwent site plan and environmental review by the Ulster Town Board and Planning Board.

During the project review, it was determined that the developer would have to refrain from developing land east of Sandy Road, which feeds into Washington Avenue along the Esopus Creek in order to mitigate potential environmental impacts to the creek. The developer also was required to add landscaping to help minimize visual impacts of the project. The original modern design of the building was changed to more closely reflect the architectural character of buildings in downtown Kingston.

Caren LoBrutto, a senior planner with LaBella Associates, which provided environmental and other documents for the project, told the planning board, “The project is in the highway commercial district. It’s as-of-right with a site plan approval. The project has undergone significant review. As part of the overall review it’s been determined to shrink the size of the building. There is also careful consideration paid to aesthetics of the facade.”

She pointed out that the developer is now using brick on the facade and that the building is in keeping with the character of the community.

“We recently received some comments on our stormwater plan and we have addressed those,” LoBrutto said. “With the revised stormwater pollution prevention plan we believe we’ve met al the comments. We’ve also provided a truck turning plan that indicates the greatest-sized fire truck can make the maneuvering as needed.”

The diner itself occupied just over 3,700 square feet. The secondary building was approximately the same size. The diner closed on Sept. 12 of this year.

Louie Petritsis, owner of the Olympic Diner, in an open letter to diner customers said, “From the days of working as a night manager when this was the Gateway Diner, to operating the Barclay Heights Diner in Saugerties, and back to rebuild this as the Olympic Diner we have made many friends along the way and are truly appreciative for your business and support. We are grateful to our staff for their many years of service and hard work. It has been a blast and we could not have done it without you!”