But, lo and behold, today--two days before the HPC meeting at which Kent was expected to appear--a gable is being constructed on top of the the roof!
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| House in the 1930s |
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| Rendering showing the approved design |
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Gloriosky! Now There's a Gable!
In April, Gossips reported that the roof on 67-71 North Fifth Street was finished, but there was no gable. Minutes after that post was published, a reader contacted me to say that Peter Wurster had told him the gable was going to be added to the roof after the fact.
When weeks passed and no faux gable appeared, the story that started out sounding unlikely seemed increasingly more doubtful. Its apocryphal nature seemed confirmed when, on June 28, Rick Rector, chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, read aloud a letter from Daniel Kent, executive director of the Galvan Foundation, saying that he intended to appear before the HPC on July 12 to "explain why the gable was not constructed, as a consequence of an oversight."
But, lo and behold, today--two days before the HPC meeting at which Kent was expected to appear--a gable is being constructed on top of the the roof!
Even though the gable looks less than authentic because the ridge line of the gable doesn't align with the ridge line of the roof, the house is coming closer to the goal of re-creating the house's original appearance than the rendering that was presented to the HPC for review and approval.
But, lo and behold, today--two days before the HPC meeting at which Kent was expected to appear--a gable is being constructed on top of the the roof!
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Much of the criticism of Eric Galloway and the Galvan Foundation has been about the lack of follow through with the actual plans (promises) for projects that have been made to the community. Or about the continued acquisition by Galvan of properties, while already being the owners of the worst (vacant) buildings on their blocks
ReplyDeleteIn the past several months the GalVan Foundation has moved quite a number of projects forward. They are in effect balancing quite a number of balls in the air. The good news is that many of the most dilapidated buildings on their blocks are moving forward to actually being occupied by tenants.
Having Dan Kent at the Executive Director position of the Galvan Foundation, seems to have improved the situation greatly. I hope that the promises made by the Galvan Foundation come to fruition. I also hope that the trajectory the foundation seems to be on, is sustained.
The Galvan Foundation holding so many properties of importance holds great promise to the City of Hudson if they do the right things. It also holds great risk if they do not. The future of Hudson in many ways is held in the balance.
This is a crucial time in the history of Hudson. The best case scenario is for the Galvan Foundation to continue doing good things for the city, while at the same time lifting the veil and engaging the citizenry of Hudson to help encourage more consensus around the projects the put forward. BEFORE they put them forward.
Hudson is a wonderful microcosm. Two square miles is small enough so that we could make Hudson a shining example of what a small city on the Hudson River can do. We can make Hudson an example of a city which encourages development, without leaving the most neediest behind. We can help lift those among us out of poverty while at the same encouraging smart development. But to do that there needs to be community consensus around the issues and projects at hand.
The movement of the Armory Houses, the library relocation, Senior Center, 5th and Union, etc., are fantastic steps in the right direction. I salute the Galvan Foundation for moving these projects forward.
Now lets continue that progress by getting more of the vacant properties held by Galvan occupied, with more input from the affected communities. Greater input and buy in, is often more tedious. But in the end it results in better outcomes and projects that the entire community can be proud of.
Victor Mendolia
Dear Mr. Mendolia,
ReplyDeleteOn a relative scale, one might argue that T. Eric Galloway has done more for the City in recent years than all others combined. Yes, sometimes his plans go sideways and on other occasions they don't materialize. But when they do, they do so on a grand scale.
Were it not for T. Eric Galloway, there would be more dilapidated, vacant buildings than there are now. I'm unclear as to where the tenants will come from to occupy Mr. Galloway's vacant properties since there is no homeless problem here, as readers of this blog have often attested. It would seem that everyone in Columbia County, but a dozen or so lost souls, already has a home.
Are you suggesting that increasing the volume of available housing will attract more with money to our fair city? Who else can you possibly be implying needs a home, since there is no homeless problem here? You must mean more NYC types. Isn't gentrification of these neighborhoods a concern?
Your letter indicates that poverty can be eradicated here by receiving input on GalVan projects from affected communities. Stirring commentary, sir. How about fleshing that idea out a bit? This blog appears to be the crucible where those who would "offer input" come and discuss all things GalVan.
What is the input you would offer, Mr. Mendolia? This is your opportunity to promote an agenda involving the single largest developer in the City, one with a proven track record of philanthropy. Do you have some real ideas on how to create "better outcomes and projects that the entire community can be proud of"?
Define your candidacy here, now. This is your opportunity to shine.
Rollo Tomasi