10/01/2026
More than 100 ♥️community members 🧑🤝🧑🧑🤝🧑 from ages eight to 80+ recently attended tours of the Fabrication Center at The Metro, held September 17th – 19th at the forthcoming community learning hub’s base at 2 South Prospect Street in Midtown Kingston.🏘️
Arriving via bicycle 🚲, foot 🦶, and car 🚗, visitors poured through the doors of The Metro during the first onsite public event in the space since construction began. Teachers, makers, retirees, students and many longtime neighborhood residents were among the participants who watched live demonstrations at The Fabrication Center, learned about future programming, and peeked into the ongoing construction. Janet Hollingsworth, the Director of The Fabrication Center, explained the distinct spaces within the fabrication area, including digital fabrication, woodworking, metalwork and fiber arts.
Opening in phases throughout 2027, The Metro will support learning through workshops, events, and evolving programs that reflect local needs and interests that uplift the gifts of Kingston. With thousands of sq. ft. left to be programmed, there will be countless opportunities to help define what The Metro is in 2026 and beyond.
The Metro team has made a variety of appearances at pop-up events in the Kingston community over the last two years, but the tours marked the very first public events in the finished Fabrication Center space. Many thanks to the thoughtful participants who took time out of their weekend to visit The Fabrication Center and share their ideas!
Peter Buffett, co-President of the NoVo Foundation, was on hand during several of the tours to greet guests and share about future plans for the space. In addition to the Fabrication Center, Peter highlighted other learning areas which will include a teaching kitchen, a cafe, a salon, recording studios, podcast/editing studios, a children’s play area, a library/study area, a mental health/wellness center, and more. Several spaces have intentionally been left unprogrammed, designed with flexibility in mind in order to respond to emerging community needs.
As The Metro continues opening to the community throughout the Fall of 2026, future Open Houses will offer the opportunity to visit The Fabrication Center, learn about the tools available, and offer input and feedback.
