Kingston

(Via Mid-Hudson News)

KINGSTON – The idea of running a ferry between Kingston and Rhinecliff, and possibly Tivoli and Saugerties, is very much alive.

The idea was first advanced years ago and discussion has been on and off.

Now, the City of Kingston is revving up the idea. City Economic Development Director Stephen Finkle told the Waterfront Advisory Committee Wednesday the city hopes to hire a consultant in the not too distant future to study the feasibility of making ferry service a reality.

“There’s a federal ferry discretionary program that is seeking applications for 2011 and I hope we have enough information to put in an application,” he said.

If the city hires the company it could have some answers by next spring.

In addition to the ferry feasibility study, Finkle noted the $1.4 million Walkway project that is currently underway to open up access to new areas of the waterfront should be substantially completed by the end of the year.