Speaker Carl Heastie visited Orange County as part of his annual statewide tour, joined by Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay, to announce $3.3 million in state funding for the revitalization of the Kleiner Center in Middletown.
“Our communities need and deserve places where they can come together and connect with each other across generations,” Speaker Heastie said. “This funding will allow Middletown to renovate and revitalize the Kleiner Center and make it a destination for families here in Orange County.”
“This project is so important to our community here in Middletown,” Assemblymember Kay said. “This funding will give families of all ages a place to meet and develop stronger connections. Thank you to Speaker Heastie for joining us today for this important announcement and understanding the significance of the Kleiner Center for the future of the City of Middletown.”
The announced funds will be used to renovate the Kleiner Center, which was originally constructed in 1968 as a recreation center for the Middletown State Psychiatric Center. The building has been unused since 2006 and has fallen into disrepair. With this investment, officials aim to transform it into a modern facility that will host arts and athletic programs, including spaces such as a theater, auditorium, gymnasium, studios, and conference rooms. The renovated center is intended to provide intergenerational programming designed to foster connections among young people, adults, and seniors through shared cultural experiences.
