The Future of Our Historic Promenade

It was last summer, during Rick Rector's term as mayor, that Starr Whitehouse was chosen to carry out the restoration and renovation of Promenade Hill and its entrance plaza. Those who care deeply about the historic promenade breathed a sigh of relief. In their presentation to the DRI committee, the folks from Starr Whitehouse talked about "sensitivity to place" and respecting the "original design intent" rather than calling Promenade Hill an underutilized space and suggesting such things as a "destination playground" and "festive lights."

This past Monday, Starr Whitehouse held a site tour and discussion at Promenade Hill, a event that was originally scheduled to take place on March 23 but postponed because of the pandemic. A group of masked Hudsonians--some members of the DRI Committee, some aldermen, some members of the public--gathered to listen, ask questions, share concerns, and indicate preferences.   

In the presentation by Starr Whitehouse, the goals of the project were defined as these:

• Providing accessibility--people with scooters and wheelchairs and parents with children in strollers cannot get to the promenade to enjoy the view
• Creating a place to recreate--the current design of the plaza is not well organized for programming
• Celebrating history--no changes to the historic promenade will be made except to get people up to it
• Enhancing the green space--introducing ample planting beds and a new generation of native trees 

The area of the park that will see the greatest change is the southern part of the plaza, which is now a jumble of badly patched asphalt, curbed grassy beds, and meaningless retaining walls.

This is the space where the accessible route to the overlook will be created, intended to be not just a ramp for ADA access but "an enjoyable route for everyone." Three preliminary concept diagrams for the space were presented. The preliminary concept designs also include step seating and a new and improved water feature.

The area between Front Street and the stairs to Promenade Hill was designed, as we know it, in the early 1970s during Hudson's urban renewal. The photo below shows the approach to Promenade Hill before urban renewal demolished the buildings and eliminated what was known as West Warren Street. Starr Whitehouse described what we have now as "a great public plaza" that "just doesn't feel like a plaza."  

On Monday, those present were asked to indicate their likes and dislikes when it came to ramp design, stair seating, water features, swing seats, safety surface for the playground, and plantings.

        
The handout distributed at Monday's discussion is available here. It includes a project schedule overview. The design process is moving quickly. This month and next are deveoted to concept design. August and September are designated for schematic design and community outreach. Starr Whitehouse will be generating a 3-D model of the proposed design.

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