September 4, 2025
Speaker Heastie Continued Annual Statewide Tour with Assemblymember Kay, Announcing $3.3 Million to Revitalize the Kleiner Center
Pictured with Speaker Heastie at the Kleiner Center is (from left to right) Town of Wallkill Supervisor George Serrano, Wallkill Town Board Councilman Eric Valentin, City of Middletown Mayor Joseph M. DeStefano, State Senator James Skoufis and City of Middletown Common Council President J. Miguel Rodrigues.
Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Orange County with Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay, announcing $3.3 million in state funding to revitalize the Kleiner Center, making it a destination for the arts and community programming as an intergenerational, multipurpose center.
“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.”
Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Kay together announced $3.3 million in state funding to revitalize the Kleiner Center and make it a destination for the community, including programming for the arts and athletics. The Kleiner Center was built in 1968 as a recreation center for the Middletown State Psychiatric Center. Since its closure in 2006, the building has been left to deteriorate. This funding will help turn the center into a modern facility for community programming and engagement, including a theater and auditorium, a gymnasium, studios and conference rooms. The goal is to provide the community with intergenerational programming to connect young people, adults and seniors through shared cultural experiences.