Seven Years of Talk About JLE

Since 2018, there have been a lot of plans discussed (and to some extent pursued) for the former John L. Edwards (JLE) school building. First, Columbia County considered taking it over, as it had so many other abandoned school buildings in the past, but that plan seemed dependent on the City of Hudson collaborating and occupying part of the building, but it was determined the space to be allocated to the City was inadequate for the City's needs. 

Next, there was the plan for the City of Hudson to take over the entire building, moving all city offices and the Youth Center there, to turn the building into a kind of "civic center." A feasibility study was commissioned, but, in the end, the plan was abandoned because, it seems, the kids who frequent the Youth Center were not comfortable with the idea of sharing space with elected officials and the people who come to City Hall for meetings and services.

And then there was Adirondack Community Development, which wanted to use the building for housing. The first plan from Adirondack involved adding a five-story addition to the building. That plan later changed to demolishing the former school building and constructing something new in its footprint. In the end, Adirondack dropped out, and neither plan was pursued.  

In 2023, Hudson Development Corporation (HDC) announced its interest in redeveloping the building as a kind of community center to be known as "Hudson Hub." There was talk of community college courses being taught there and the Culinary Institute of America offering courses in a commercial kitchen, as well as the possibility of moving City Hall, the Senior Center, and the Youth Center to the building. After several months of due diligence, HDC abandoned the project, citing serious defects and problems with the building, which were attributed to poor stewardship.

It seems now, however, that the plan being proposed by Pennrose Bricks & Mortar to repurpose the building as affordable housing for seniors is actually moving forward. 

At the regular meeting of the Common Council on Tuesday, August 19, the Common Council began the process of amending the zoning to allow a multi-family dwelling to exist in that location; declared itself lead agency in the SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) process and made a negative declaration; and authorized letters of support for the project to be submitted to NYS Homes and Community Renewal.

At its meeting, which also took place on Tuesday, August 19, the Hudson City School District Board of Education agreed to schedule a vote on the sale of the JLE building for sometime during the last week in October.

 

At a special meeting yesterday morning, the Hudson Industrial Development Agency (IDA) agreed to schedule a public hearing on the project's request for a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) to take place on Tuesday, September 2, at 9:30 a.m. The financial analysis being done by BJH Advisors is expected to be completed by next week. That study will be made available to the public prior to the public hearing.

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