What I learned was that rocks falling on the tracks were a problem--one known to Amtrak and CSX but not to the public. Although the City of Hudson was unaware of why such an extreme remedy was required, the people carrying out that remedy are well aware of Hudson's concerns about it. The mayor is in close touch with the NYS Department of State. Since there is nothing in our city code to prevent or regulate what's happening to the escarpment, its fate is in the hands of the Department of State.
Over the weekend, the intel from the site was that they were two weeks away from applying the shotcrete. This morning, there was speculation that the application could start as early as next week. (The rods now being inserted in the rock face are to hold the shotcrete in place.) It seems they haven't yet decided what color shotcrete to use, but apparently they have ruled out blue.
COPYRIGHT 2017 CAROLE OSTERINK
If it can be colored then color it to match the existing rock that is being covered!
ReplyDeleteThe point is that the natural rock face is not one uniform color. The shotcrete will be. Also the surface of the natural rock face is rough and uneven. The shotcrete will be smooth.
DeleteI appreciate what you're saying Carole because it's technically accurate.
DeleteBut if the City was in the dependable habit of issuing stop-work orders against the illicit actions of large industries, then residents wouldn't be in the terrible position we are now of arguing that the Colarusso causeway proposal is equally egregious to the company's illegal expansion of the east causeway early last year.
In response to the expansion of the east causeway the City did absolutely nothing!
Little has changed since then. Consider the City's failure in December to cite a violation for the same company's new revetment. Then earlier this year, the public (at least) was never dignified with a legal opinion on the grading of the railroad access road. The City was completely mistaken about who owned the road, and after that we heard nothing.
These recent bad examples tell me that, in itself, the absence of a stop-work order on the Promenade means absolutely nothing, zero, zip!
Unless and until the City can afford better legal advice, and officials who are motivated to defend our zoning laws, then residents must think for themselves.
So while you're correct on technical grounds, referring to the City's failure to take action is a bit like a tasteless joke.
(Of course this was meant to be a reply to Carole's 8:11 comment below.)
DeleteShotcrete is not smooth unless it is troweled or (scrapped)smooth. Unless they form and rebar the rock face out. It will essentially take the shape of the rockface. Its probably the most aesthetically pleasing option as they could have just pinned the rockface and installed a metal mesh and called it a day.
ReplyDeleteShotcrete is not smooth unless it it troweled or scraped smooth. Also it will take the uneven shape of the rockface unless they place rebar and form it out, not very cost effective. It is probably the best and most aesthetically pleasing option as the cheapest route would be to pin the rockface and install a lovley wire mesh to prevent the rocks from falling. I happen to enjoy the industrial look, but it is widley known that Hudson wants little to nothing to do with industry of any kind (have a sense of humour now). For those whom like the natural look shotcrete is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteWe have to avoid language like this: "Since there is nothing in our city code to prevent or regulate what's happening to the escarpment, its fate is in the hands of the Department of State." It perpetuates an attitude that relegates our fate to others. In fact, we are citizens of Hudson, the State of New York, and the United States of America and have every right to consider these cliffs ours and every right to speak up about their use and abuse. My 2 cents.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate what you're saying, Pete, but if this action had been in violation to City of Hudson code there would have been a stop-work order two weeks ago.
DeleteCarole, I was referring more to what appeared to me a false dichotomy: if it's not in the city code, then it's in the hands of DOS. Not so. It's one thing to say that DOS has jurisdiction, it's another to imply that they are the only ones who have a voice in this matter. It's one thing to say that rocks falling on the tracks are Amtrak's responsibility, it's another to say Amtrak has the right to do whatever it wants with the cliff. --peter meyer
Delete"Often called rockfall netting or rockmesh, rockfall mesh is steel-woven, double-twist wire mesh used to prevent rocks from falling and to protect people, roadways, railways, buildings and other structures."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.therixgroup.com.au/mining-tunneling/rockfall-meshrock-fall-protection/
Just more American safety tyranny,
ReplyDelete"Insurance is the killjoy of America" - anonymous.
DeleteI really can't believe that anyone could complain about safety precautions being implemented around the lifeline to Hudson. If Amtrak has deemed it necessary then so be it - the businesses in the city of Hudson would not survive without the regular influx of New York City consumers.
ReplyDeleteGood riddance to the ugly overgrown brush that collected trash on the escarpment. Three cheers to Amtrak for maintaining their property, an attitude that the city unfortunately does not emulate.
Classic neoliberalism?
DeleteSorry, but when there are available alternatives then that's how I understand your comment: give the benefit of the doubt to the gigantic corporation, and then shame your neighbors for doubting said corporation's concern for aesthetics. - T. O'Connor
Anything has to look better than the tons of garbage and the weeds growing on the escarpment. I agree. Let's see what it looks like when finished before we complain.
ReplyDeleteAnything has to look better than the tons of garbage and the weeds growing on the escarpment. I agree. Let's see what it looks like when finished before we complain.
ReplyDeleteYou do realize that this is irreversible, don't you?
DeleteBut I'm reassured that we have permission to complain once the cliff is given its permanent new look.
The section 8 housing above it is hideous too.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness everyone who posts here is safe in their assumption that high school kids who live at the Terrace, and college kids still living home at the Terrace don't read this blog.
ReplyDeleteAnd hopefully Mr. Peter Meyer doesn't use this blog in his journalism program in the school district, although I think it a shame not to use Carole's blog as a reference and example.
But then again, perhaps kids growing up in the 2017 version of Hudson should know what the adults around them think of them, their parents' ability to provide for them, and where they call home.
Yup, the world most definitely is a mean, ugly, nasty place, most especially when a comment like Observer's goes absolutely unchallenged, in a "community", and I use that word lightly, of fewer than seven thousand people. Some of whom claim to be adults who care for the young people of Hudson.