July 2, 2026 Housing and Transportation

The Ulster County Legislature's Housing and Transportation Committee met on July 2, 2026, to discuss several procurement and contracting matters. A detailed presentation was given on the Olster and Delaware Undersated Corridor Feasibility Study, including cost estimates for trail and railway trail options, property acquisition considerations, environmental permitting, and construction challenges. The study provided detailed engineering cost estimates based on prevailing wage and public bid prices, with projected costs ranging from approximately $4.1 million for trail-only options to $16.3 million for combined rail and trail options, with inflation factored to 2030. The committee also approved three resolutions: a $348,192 federally funded contract with Santech Consulting Services for a Safe Streets for All program study; a $400,000 contract with Ulster County Habitat for Humanity for infrastructure work on a homeownership project, pending attorney review; and support for a grant application to the Federal Transit Administration for $5310 funds to purchase and operate vehicles for veterans and aging services. Discussions included contract scopes, funding sources, property acquisition processes, environmental permitting, and project timelines. The committee emphasized the importance of timely contract execution and reimbursement processes to support ongoing projects.