tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post5054358200451062657..comments2024-03-28T17:55:31.180-04:00Comments on The Gossips of Rivertown: "Not Really a Big Deal"Carole Osterinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16010623982526286408noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-21339346079303515272021-03-29T14:12:09.750-04:002021-03-29T14:12:09.750-04:00Actually now you can see how urban renewal shrunk ...Actually now you can see how urban renewal shrunk the staircase - bring back the grand entrance again !!!Vincenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05548912912359709568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-39154883564668234172021-03-29T08:09:40.860-04:002021-03-29T08:09:40.860-04:00Thanks tmdonofrio.
In fact, the design does inten...Thanks tmdonofrio.<br /><br />In fact, the design does intend picnic tables for the upper Promenade, which is wrong, wrong, wrong.<br /><br />Sadly, even though the City Charter commits us to respect the wishes of all grantors, our arrogance knows no bounds. <br /><br />Eight years ago I quoted the Proprietors' single condition for gifting the Promenade to a Common Council President, who replied "But that was over 200 years ago!"<br /><br />I wondered, was this individual even capable of knowing a principle, let alone defending it? <br /><br />The Promenade is Hudson's crown jewel, and the 11th oldest public park in the nation. To defend it, we'll need to take a stand against the self-serving rationalizations we hear all around us (e.g., how could the HPC ignore the past in this way?).<br /><br />We should reject our contemporaries' arrogance towards the wishes and wisdom of the 18th century figures who gave us this park.unheimlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204285837938988668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-43766945039114737052021-03-28T20:21:32.786-04:002021-03-28T20:21:32.786-04:00True.Warren Street led to a grand staircase leadin...True.Warren Street led to a grand staircase leading up to the Promenade and the best view in the Hudson River Valley. <br /><br />Its amazing the original fencing still exists.<br /><br />Simple and Direct DesignVincenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05548912912359709568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-72183316649900511832021-03-28T15:47:55.135-04:002021-03-28T15:47:55.135-04:00Hold on there you kids....in the beginning The Pro...Hold on there you kids....in the beginning The Proprietors established a Market Place and A Stock or Pillory with a Whipping Post near the Parade Hill. It then became West Warren Street with concrete sidewalks and brick pavers, later blacktop. The concrete steps up to Parade Hill still exist today. And let’s not forget that Residential Buildings did exist on the North and South sides of West Warren. The wrought iron fencing that at one time was at the top of the entrance still exists in Hudson. One section is owned by the City and is located at the walkway between Prison Alley and Warren across from the Municipal Parking Lot on Columbia St. in the 500 Block. A larger section of the fence is privately owned and located on Green St. opposite the Bodega on the corner of McKinstry Place. What is happening now is an idea to incorporate too many options into an entrance to a Grand Promenade that was created to be nothing more than one of if not the best view of The Catskills and The Hudson River for the Citizens and Visitors of Hudson. So let’s keep it basic. A few Architectural trees, rows of boxwood, park style benches and simple pea stone with a stone border. The Proprietors wanted the View to be the reason one would promenade there and nothing more.<br /><br /><br />tmdonofriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11370760970951114120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-13995344787398570582021-03-28T15:18:59.819-04:002021-03-28T15:18:59.819-04:00Thank you unheimlich for your so true comment. It...Thank you unheimlich for your so true comment. It’s time that ALL Hudson people, organizations, committees, etc, take notice that our founding Proprietors granted to Citizens of Hudson a walking mall and nothing more for the purpose to enjoy the grand view that nature offers to one and all and nothing more.tmdonofriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11370760970951114120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-63194607912504684722021-03-28T12:31:52.738-04:002021-03-28T12:31:52.738-04:00Yes! How about some more creative funding solution...Yes! How about some more creative funding solutions rather than rush to finish. Get the original design funded. Don't settle for concrete, no seating, poor use of important space. Get the wish list accomplished. Make this a model new park for the others which need to be created in the future. Gofundme is absurd, use leadership and find the money. Signe Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12183129751596868740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-17539730828990839042021-03-28T11:26:40.035-04:002021-03-28T11:26:40.035-04:00Completely backwards in my opinion: put the mayor’...Completely backwards in my opinion: put the mayor’s and council members, names on it all ala :”this pile of second rate hardscape sponsored by the collective incompetence of Mayor Jamal “not my job” Johnson, Common Council President Tom “ideas?! We don’t need no stinkin’ ideas!’ DePietro and the collective mindlessness and incapacity if the ‘20 - ‘21 Council. “. Credit where credit is due.. John K. Friedmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05658184081506566069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-73493899989929977462021-03-27T21:53:24.803-04:002021-03-27T21:53:24.803-04:00Spot on.Spot on.unheimlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204285837938988668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-1800941609702439052021-03-27T19:38:54.829-04:002021-03-27T19:38:54.829-04:00agreedagreedVincenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05548912912359709568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-76658943054068742172021-03-27T16:27:22.632-04:002021-03-27T16:27:22.632-04:00I think it's a shame to sacrifice getting it r...I think it's a shame to sacrifice getting it right in the name of hurrying to finish. <br />It's a waste if it will look worn and run down again in 10 years....Monica Byrnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01895902280087754961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-49355689677078999652021-03-27T12:37:05.420-04:002021-03-27T12:37:05.420-04:00You're both not wrong. If citizens want a Prom...You're both not wrong. If citizens want a Promenade Park entrance that can be a point of pride for Hudson residents for generations to come, they should organize to fundraise the remaining amount. Otherwise we're saddling the next generation with underwhelming public spaces and increased maintenance costs.<br /><br /><br />Hudson residents who are taking on this extra work and expense (and honestly anyone worried about responsive and responsible government) should also insist that the Common Council pass a resolution calling for DRI Committee meetings to be held under Open Meetings Laws.<br /><br /><br />Chameides and his backroom shenanigans, and DePietro's condescending response to the constellation of concerns raised by members of the community on this topic have further degraded the public's trust in our institutions.<br /><br /><br />Whether or not the failure here could have been prevented, City Hall's obfuscation has eroded its credibility as it attempts to (in this case quite literally) pass the buck, and we should demand better.John Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03300676479057228139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-66655959251312719052021-03-27T11:52:44.145-04:002021-03-27T11:52:44.145-04:00I think characterizing this as not a significant d...I think characterizing this as not a significant design change is inaccurate. The removal of the seating in particular will change how the space is used -- a significant change in design and intent<br />M. Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17700158637530451349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-52273503064530668042021-03-27T11:31:47.029-04:002021-03-27T11:31:47.029-04:00why not start a gofundme for this project?why not start a gofundme for this project?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01648650710964159125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-44213601083635677942021-03-27T11:01:28.948-04:002021-03-27T11:01:28.948-04:00Applicants for PILOTS should resort to a "g...Applicants for PILOTS should resort to a "gofundme" so theres actual money in the coffers to pay for the citys maintenance and improvements.Vincenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05548912912359709568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-4306803960521132832021-03-27T09:28:12.624-04:002021-03-27T09:28:12.624-04:00So the H H C rubber stamps the changes which are ...So the H H C rubber stamps the changes which are significant, while other times they make applicants jump through hoops for approval.Concrete V Stone . Where was the pontificating mouthpiece on the committee that loves to dictate what appropriate and whats not, regardless of the applicants budget. This approval does not help the H H C in any way. I can see future applicants bring up this action to their advantage. It look like the entire project from the start was a fiasco. A budget is a budget, what part did the project management get. Of course the more it costs the more they get. Drop Anchor, and start again, because its never going to be right. man bites doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17707256925020776334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-86946373076750995102021-03-27T06:10:15.411-04:002021-03-27T06:10:15.411-04:00@John, yeah, I hear you. But I'd kick in think...@John, yeah, I hear you. But I'd kick in thinking about the rest of us. This city has completely convinced itself that it can't have nice things, doesn't deserve them. Or even that nice things are somehow EVIL. It's growing pretty tiresome.<br />dkonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14103297434317872422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-34098862273773302292021-03-26T20:10:18.238-04:002021-03-26T20:10:18.238-04:00“Donate to save our incompetent government.” Path...“Donate to save our incompetent government.” Pathetic. No skills, no knowledge, no experience, no gumption. John K. Friedmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05658184081506566069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-39976529063585325022021-03-26T17:03:12.102-04:002021-03-26T17:03:12.102-04:00gofundme? Contribute a little, contribute a lot. E...gofundme? Contribute a little, contribute a lot. Everyone pitches in.dkonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14103297434317872422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-51959759767871872192021-03-26T15:33:00.181-04:002021-03-26T15:33:00.181-04:00I should think that there are now a lot of people ...I should think that there are now a lot of people out there, newly invested in Hudson, with deep pockets who might want to help the City keep the beautiful design touches of stone and masonry in the Park, the most beautiful view and promenade for miles around. Shame to do concrete, and do away with trees. Galvan likes giving away trees maybe they would divvy up, good pr move for them. Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10964219905365378579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-81153438519599194902021-03-26T14:33:40.209-04:002021-03-26T14:33:40.209-04:00Naming indeed! Let's start with the kids wate...Naming indeed! Let's start with the kids water hoops. Sad to see that go, and in the scheme of things "only" 20k. A wonderful gift to the children of the city, and worthy of forever association with a generous donor.Jane Trombleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05294187633581386544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-19299953590359771112021-03-26T14:17:39.376-04:002021-03-26T14:17:39.376-04:00It seems like City Hall has so much on its plate t...It seems like City Hall has so much on its plate that anything that is accomplished is an inferior version of the plan, a compromise, even a race to the bottom. Throw up their hands, they seem to do, give us your best, they say. And the results are undetwhelming at best and detrimental in the long term at worst. City Hall has always been run by amateurs, but now the stakes and pressure are too high. The cracks are apparent, as will the cracks be in the concrete soon enough at Promenade. BILLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06165652134301551300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-45376515465205822672021-03-26T13:58:34.105-04:002021-03-26T13:58:34.105-04:00Good comment.Good comment.unheimlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204285837938988668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-52699230688932175282021-03-26T13:48:08.796-04:002021-03-26T13:48:08.796-04:00To beat a dead horse, obviously not an ideal situa...To beat a dead horse, obviously not an ideal situation to be in. HOWEVER, having much experience over decades with the unpleasant “value engineering” routine for over-budget projects, I think the landscape architects took a very reasonable, professional approach. It’s usually better to keep the overall design concept and substitute less expensive finishes and details first. If there are folks out there (regrettably not me!) with deep pockets to fund the deleted embellishments and goodies, then these - rightly - should be “naming” opportunities for donors. Wouldn’t be the first time.Dan Jacobyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16059822377031204524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-65623029560343905332021-03-26T13:40:18.742-04:002021-03-26T13:40:18.742-04:00With no thought that extensive changes in the mate...With no thought that extensive changes in the materials are tantamount to a change of the design? <br /><br />I reckon at this point there's nothing else anyone can do.<br /><br />I AM SO THANKFUL that the upper Promenade, "the walking mall," never entered into anyone's plans. That's because this outcome is exactly what happens. <br /><br />We must never forget that the Promenade was a gift from the Proprietors to the Common Council, intended as a walking mall only "and for no other purpose whatever."<br /><br />To anyone with any more big ideas: keep your fancy design plans away from the Proprietors' walking mall.unheimlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204285837938988668noreply@blogger.com