There has been speculation about a correlation between the number of buildings being warehoused by Eric Galloway and (1) the population loss in Hudson between 2000 and 2010 and (2) the perceived housing shortage and homeless problem in Hudson. Since the issue keeps coming up, Gossips tallied the number of potential housing units that are being warehoused by Galvan Partners and the Galvan Foundation and came up with a total of 55--both single-family houses and apartments in what had been multiple-family dwellings.
According to 2010 census statistics, the average size of a household in Hudson is 2.28 people, so those 55 vacant dwellings represent homes for about 125 people. That number alone doesn't account for the population loss in Hudson, but it is certainly not insignificant. Last April, Debby Mayer, reporting for Columbia Paper, concluded that Eric Galloway at that time owned 2 percent of the taxable property in Hudson. Coincidentally, 125 represents about 2 percent of the current population of Hudson: 6,657.
In addition to Gossip's fine reporting, I'd like to point out two other angles: 1) warehousing of vacant buildings violates the spirit of our country's antitrust laws, though perhaps not the letter of those laws, (e.g., anti-competitive behavior orchestrated through a monopoly) and 2) hoarding vacant buildings is a sure symptom of serious mental illness.
ReplyDeleteWe all know from common experience that the proliferation of vacant buildings in any city leads to urban malaise, lack of vitality and the suppression of property values. Mr. Galloway and his rich partner have, by default through their actions, declared war on our city. Are our elected officials and their appointees up to the task of defending the rest of us?
Too many of our elected and appointed officials,are hand in glove with Mr.Galloway,and his various entities.
DeleteGetting aware and involved in the Politics of Hudson and the next election,
is the citizens only real shot, at changing anything.Both at City and County Rep levels.
Do nothing, and we get more of what we are getting with our tax dollars.
So much of the damage that the "City" with their Commissions and Committees and the HDC etc.;
has done in the past and are working on now,is irreversible and goes on unquestioned, and much behind closed doors.
If only a few citizens protest actions and they are the same few involved citizens
...then they just become "white noise" and easily ignored and dismissed.
New people( be it natives or "new comers") and in numbers,
need to make their voices heard to the "City"
...or the fate of this City is in the hands of a very few,
some with very questionable motives.
I've also heard rumors, isn't that what TGOR is all about, that Hudson residents have left their City residence for other reasons too.
ReplyDeleteA few of which are selling their property at a huge profit, rents being unaffordable or apartments not available (some say that many of the Warren St apartments became unavailable after new owners purchased the buildings)low wages and/or no career opportunities, high taxes, too many low income residents, an influx of people who just love the place & after a few months want to change everything, and last but least the challenges to improve their buildings, the waterfront, & constant bickering amongst the residents & local government.
Now add to that the purchasing of buildings on a large scale by one group (Galvan/Galloway is not the first). It happened in the "80's too, but with two groups doing the bidding wars for buildings.
So maybe it's just History repeating.
It would be interesting to know the details of the statistics of those that have moved out of Hudson.