The Metro

Opening in 2026!

A learning hub fueled by curiosity, creativity, and connection

The Building

The Metro building is a 70,000 sq. ft former factory located at the corner of South Prospect Street and Greenkill Avenue in Midtown Kingston. Originally built as The Pilgrim Furniture Company in 1948, the building later served as The Metropolitan Hall of Records. The building was vacant when it was purchased by the NoVo Foundation in the spring of 2022. Construction began in 2023.

Sustainably Focused

A model for green infrastructure, sustainable measures incorporated into The Metro include ensuring a carbon-neutral building performance by creating an ultra-high efficiency building. This has included a geothermal heating and cooling system, with a total of 32 new wells, in addition to the highest quality insulation, reused and recycled building materials, water conservation strategies, and more.

Vision

The space will offer a range of programs and opportunities for creative exploration, skill-building, entrepreneurial pathways, and meaningful making—with a commitment to being welcoming and inclusive, environmentally responsible, and developed in partnership with the community. The Metro team is continuing conversations with the community to co-create a space where learning and community thrive together. The contributions of the Youth Design team, as well as the previous community conversations, continue to inform the vision of the space.

The Metro’s mission is rooted in the belief that there is strength in community and we all have gifts to share, exchange, and grow. Joy and play, experimentation and exploration, and community learning can come together to break down barriers, uplift voices, open new pathways and possibilities, and contribute to a resilient and connected community. The Metro strives to complement creative and educational initiatives, amplify immersive learning for both youth and adults, and support emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses from Midtown Kingston and beyond—developing pathways to meaningful careers.

Spaces

Fabrication Center: A 20,000 square foot area of The Metro for hands-on making, skill-sharing, and creative community projects that is rooted in sustainable practices. Fully equipped for digital fabrication, woodworking, metalwork, fiber arts, electronics, and experimental materials, the Fabrication Center will offer a range of workshops for all experience levels, guided access to build skills and work on projects, as well as residencies, internships, youth programs, and more.

Culinary Spaces: The Metro’s culinary offerings will feature a versatile culinary hub spanning approximately 2,400 square feet, with plans for a fully equipped standard kitchen, a dedicated baking kitchen, and a grab-and-go area. These spaces will support in-house food services, community programs, and occasional food pop-up shops, offering a café and fresh, ready-to-go meals. The additional 600-square-foot teaching kitchen will provide hands-on culinary and nutrition education, making it a vibrant space for community learning and engagement.

Learning and Creative Spaces: The Metro’s learning and creative spaces are flexibly designed to support a wide range of educational and creative activities. These will include multimedia meeting rooms for workshops, classes, and learning activities for all ages, as well as quiet areas for individual study and reflection. The Creative Studios will offer dedicated spaces for creators to record and edit audio, video, music, and digital media—supporting both emerging artists and community storytelling. A hands-on learning garage will provide opportunities to explore car maintenance and small engine repair, blending technical training with real-world application. Together, these spaces will create an environment where learning is active, creative work is supported, and community knowledge is shared across generations.

Partner Organizations, Small Businesses & Entrepreneurial Opportunities: The Metro will offer dedicated spaces for mission-aligned organizations, small businesses, and local entrepreneurs to operate, collaborate, and grow. These spaces will support work across education, youth development, the arts, wellness, and supportive services, creating a shared environment rooted in innovation and impact. In addition to long-term tenants, The Metro will host entrepreneurial incubator residencies—providing short-term space, mentorship, and resources to early-stage ventures focused on community needs. Together, this network of partners and entrepreneurs will contribute to a vibrant, place-based ecosystem that blends economic opportunity with social responsibility.

Gathering Spaces: The Metro’s gathering spaces are designed to bring people together for connection, celebration, and community-building. These will include flexible areas for public events, performances, meetings, and workshops, as well as informal spaces for conversation, collaboration, and reflection. Local associations and groups will be invited to utilize these spaces to host events, forums, and gatherings that strengthen community ties and encourage public engagement. Whether supporting an art show, a youth-led presentation, an open mic, or a neighborhood meeting, The Metro’s gathering spaces will reflect Kingston’s long tradition of public dialogue and cultural expression. Indoors and out, they will provide a welcoming environment where the community’s voice is heard, and its collective spirit can thrive.

Leadership

In 2025, the leadership team of The Metro was hired with Janet Hollingsworth serving as the Director of the Fabrication Center and Adrian Manuel as the Project Director of The Metro.

Janet Hollingsworth

Janet, who will serve as Director of the Fabrication Center, brings to The Metro decades of experience in maker education informed by a diverse background in structural engineering, woodworking, librarianship, and education. Janet co-founded BLDG 61, a nationally recognized makerspace at the Boulder Public Library in 2016, where she developed programs blending creative education, machine access, and social impact, serving over 25,000 patrons annually. Janet’s experience in leading efforts to give people of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels access to creative technologies will inform her work as she seeks to enable community members to discover new pathways and address local challenges through the power of making.

Most recently, as Vice President of STEAM and Innovation at The Possible Zone, Janet advanced STEAM opportunities for high school students in Boston, bridging industry and research partnerships with organizations like MIT Media Lab, Harvard, Converse, National Grid, and more. At The Possible Zone, Janet oversaw the operations, programming, and strategic initiatives of the fabrication lab. A new local resident, she’s thrilled to be making the Hudson Valley her home.

Adrian Manuel

Dr. Adrian Manuel, a veteran educator and leader with over 25 years of experience transforming schools and pioneering new models of success, will serve as Project Director of The Metro. A Kingston native and proud alumnus of Kingston High School, Adrian began his career as a middle school social studies teacher in the Bronx. He later served as Principal of Kingston High School from 2011-2014. Over the past two decades, he has served in leadership roles across K-12 education, including as a principal, superintendent, and Head of School.

Throughout his career, Adrian has led high-performing schools that have achieved over 90% graduation rates in communities where most students come from low-income and high needs backgrounds—ensuring that the vast majority of graduates enroll in four-year colleges and universities. His work has directly contributed to creating pathways for generational economic mobility. His many years spent with young people have given him a comprehensive perspective on what helps them to learn and succeed.

Beyond his work in school leadership, Adrian has consulted with schools and businesses across the country and internationally, coaching them on innovative models that support the development of individuals from early childhood through the teenage years. Most recently, he founded CoLAB Education, a nonprofit dedicated to redesigning high schools for the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), project-based learning, and community-centered educational design. As the founding board chair, he led the design and launch of two new charter high schools in Connecticut, focused on community-based service learning, and cutting-edge pathways in biotechnology, social entrepreneurship, and digital arts. Dr. Manuel also serves as a board member at Poughkeepsie Day School, further contributing to the advancement of innovative and student-centered learning models. He lives in the Hudson Valley with his family.

Access, Programs, and Usage

Conversations about The Metro’s access, programs and usage are ongoing with a variety of community partners. More details will be coming soon. Upcoming public events to gather deeper community input will be shared on this webpage, as well via the NoVo in Kingston newsletter, social media, and with the local press.

Contact

For any immediate safety concerns related to construction, please call PC Construction at 845-779-2477. For general inquiries about The Metro project, please reach out to [email protected]