Computer geeks are famous for working alone. But a group of “technopreneurs” is hoping to attract a critical mass of self-identified geeks who do independent work in computer-related fields to create a “digital corridor” in Kingston. They are hoping to lure fellow geeks from New York City who seek city living at country prices to spark the economy. Â
“It is a question of connecting the dots,” said Mark Greene, owner of Pecos Design, who won an Emmy for his digital creations. He founded KingstonDigitalCorridor.org (with a Web site of the same name), a nonprofit, grass-roots organization that held its first public events earlier this month at Kingston City Hall. “There are so many assets here in Kingston that some of us who have been here a while almost grew blind to them.”
Greene cited the “great combination” of proximity to New York City, affordable real estate, abundant warehouse and office space, a pre-existing technological infrastructure and what he called, “Brooklyn-style urban appeal.” Â
“It”™s the scale of Kingston, the size of it,” said Greene. “Its got that sort of Brooklyn feel, but more importantly and more fundamentally it has the potential to become what it was 100 years ago: a thriving walking city. You can walk to get your breakfast, to go to work, to go to a café. You can ride your bicycle everywhere and that is something that appeals to people in the city.”
“If we can bring 250 more technopreneurs into Kingston, we believe would provide a significant economic engine,” said Greene.
The Digital Corridor organization is a private and public partnership between citizens, the City Council and Mayor James Sottile, who supported the idea at the April 8 rollout event. “This new effort will enhance our art-friendly atmosphere and mix a perfect blend of art and technology in a small-city environment,” said Sottile.
“It”™s a way of attracting new business to the area,” said KJ McIntyre, a broker with Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty in Kingston. “By business, I mean residential purchases and commercial purchases. Having the digital corridor is a way of smoothing entry for somebody who is in the digital field and looking at using mixed-use properties or commercial properties. “
“Its very attractive to someone moving up the river from certain Manhattan, Westchester and Brooklyn neighborhoods,” McIntyre said. “You have a scale that is very accessible. walkable, bikeable, a and at your fingertips you have other people who speak your language. So the resources are here within easy access.”
She said there are some 260 properties available in the city of Kingston in a variety of architectural styles, from historic Victorian to row houses to loft space. “As a geek myself, I appreciate the things that geeks like,” said McIntyre, citing “more coffee shops, ethnic restaurants, indy film venues and more cultural events.”
Greene said that he learned of Kingston as other computer geeks might, by doing a computer search of real estate available within a 90-mile radius of Manhattan at a certain price range. He said the affordability of Kingston was striking but also found little information on line extolling the virtues of the first capital city of New York state. But he visited in 2002 and moved up to the city shortly thereafter.
But it was only several months ago, he said, that it struck him just how many of the independent computer contractors had already moved to Kingston. He visited the Seven21 Media Center on Broadway in the middle of Kingston. It is a state-of-the-art creative media, broadcast and communications production center, built as a strategic partnership between over 20 independent media companies. It houses professionals and companies in film, television, audio and new media. The three-story office building and studios has about 30,000 square feet with two fully functional video and audio studios, equipped with lighting as well as production equipment.    Â
“When I went there that was the first time I understood how many people are doing this work here in Kingston.” said Greene. “I began to understand that the city itself is a hot bed for that kind of work.”
Thus began the Kingston digital corridor. He said the impression of geek-savvy development is buttressed by the work being done to rehabilitate the Carnegie Library, an historic structure next to Kingston High School and recreate it as a digital laboratory and learning center. Â
The group is embarking on a two-track recruiting effort to bring like-minded geeks to the city. KingstonDigitalCorridor.org plans to ensure Kingston has a “large virtual footprint,” Greene said, to ensure that the city receives its just acclaim when would-be residents or businesses are doing computer searches for places to live and work.
The group is also doing live recruiting, such as arranging a bus tour from points south, specifically targeted at Brooklyn residents looking to move to more affordable climes.
”˜This enterprise, if you will, has one specific goal,” said Greene. “We want to get more technoprenuers to move to Kingston and purchase a home. Once you purchase a home you really take ownership and become involved in your community.” Â
