About the DRI

It's been more than a year since the City of Hudson was awarded $10 million in Round Two of Governor Andrew Cuomo's Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and three months since it was announced which of the proposed projects would be getting DRI funding. Many have been wondering about when and how the approved projects would be implemented. Yesterday, the press release was issued by the mayor's office, announcing the creation of "a plan that will allow for the successful completion of the city-awarded DRI projects in a transparent and timely manner."

A DRI Committee has been formed to oversee the implementation of the municipal projects. This committee is made up of the mayor, Rick Rector; Common Council president Tom DePietro; city treasurer, Heather Campbell; superintendent of public works, Rob Perry; Planning Board chair, Walter Chatham; and city attorney, Andy Howard. The first thing this committee will do is hire a DRI Manager through a request for proposal (RFP). The individual or firm engaged as the DRI Manager will "review and administer each project and issue RPFs for professional expertise as deemed necessary for the projects (engineers, planners, architects--historical, general and landscape, etc.)." The RFP for DRI Manager can be viewed here. The DRI Committee is also contemplating creating a DRI Implementation Review Committee that will meet regularly "for reviewing and updating the public on the progress of all projects in the City of Hudson." 

The following DRI projects are City of Hudson projects. The description of each project is quoted from the press release issued by the mayor's office:

Implement Complete Streets Improvements: Design and construct a phased Complete Streets initiative throughout the DRI area to provide safe access, aesthetic improvements, and separation of truck traffic from pedestrians and bicyclists. Examples of improvements include safe and functional at-grade railroad crossing, streetscape improvements, bike lanes, extension of the North Bay trail, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, pedestrian stairs, and signage. ($3,982,550)

Renovate Promenade Hill Park and Provide ADA Access: Renovate Promenade Hill Park, an important public space in the heart of the DRI area, to preserve its historic features while providing access to park amenities and extraordinary views of the Hudson and the Catskills for people of all abilities. ($1,100,000)

Improve the Safety and Aesthetics of Cross Street and the Second Street Stairs: Improve the safety and aesthetics of Cross Street and the Second Street Stairs by designing and implementing streetscape improvements along Cross Street. This will include grading and repaving, new sidewalks, and lighting and replacement of the Second Street stairs leading from Allen Street to Cross Street. ($250,000)

Stabilize the Dunn Warehouse for Future Re-Use: Stabilize the historic Dunn Warehouse, the City's last remaining central waterfront building, and conduct a feasibility study for its reuse. The City of Hudson will issue an RFP for a public/private partnership to adaptively reuse Dunn Warehouse based on recommendations in that study. Critical structural improvements will be made to exterior walls and masonry, the roof, and perimeter drainage, and a new concrete slab will be added. Remaining funds will be used for other interior renovations. ($1,000,000)

Repurpose Historic Fishing Village as a City Park: Convert city-owned land containing a historic collection of fishing shacks into a waterfront park with access to the Hudson River. The project at the city's northern boundary will include the demolition of some of the shacks to open the space, as well as basic repairs to preserve the more historically significant and visually interesting structures. DRI funds will be used for site cleanup, remediation, design services and site preparation. ($150,000)

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