Grand Slam Bar building being demolished to make way for housing in Kingston

Locals who remember the Grand Slam Bar on Grand Street in Midtown Kingston know it was not the most reputable joint — a dive in generous terms. Those days are long gone, and demolition recently commenced on Grand Street clearing the way for a proposed affordable housing development by the Kingston City Land Bank (KCLB). The nonprofit envisions constructing up to 12 units, potentially as townhomes, condominiums, or co-ops, with affordability targets set at 60% to 80% of the area median income.

The property was previously transferred to KCLB by the city in March 2025, following a unanimous Common Council vote. This decision came after a prior agreement with Beyond the 4 Walls, a nonprofit led by current city official Gregory McCollough, fell through. In 2022, McCollough’s organization had a