The Future for Morgan Jones's Mansion

At its last meeting on April 28, the Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing on changes being proposed for 317 Allen Street, the dream house of Morgan Jones, a young man who had inherited a fortune from his father's manufactured soap company. 

Jones, who was born in Pittsfield, graduated from Williams College in 1901. After graduation, he traveled in Europe, as was the custom for rich young men at the time, and the buildings he saw there shaped this taste in architecture. In 1903, he commissioned the architect Marcus Reynolds, a fellow Williams alumnus ten years Jones's senior, to design a house for him, to be built in Hudson. The Jacobean and Dutch inspired mansion, which was completed in 1906, is considered by many to be Reynolds's richest and most successful design. The original drawings for the house are preserved at the Albany Institute of History and Art. In 1910, four years after construction was completed, the house was featured in a publication called The Brickbuilder. These photographs of the house appeared in The Brickbuilder.

This may be the most celebrated house in Hudson, and it is certainly the best documented.

In what is being described as "mostly restoration," some troubling changes are now being proposed for the house, mostly notably changes in the fenestration. A bay window is being proposed for the principal bedroom, as well as the addition of large windows in the part of the house where the kitchen is located.

Also proposed is the application of a limewash to mask the "patching" in the brick that has been done over the years.

During the public hearing, Matt McGhee said he was mostly concerned about the proposed bay window, calling it "a huge departure from the original intent of the building." He argued that "the back facade accounts for quite a bit and should be maintained." He reiterated that the bay window was "totally out of character with the original intent of the building" and said of the proposed changes to the fenestration, "Disrupting the original intent and appearance to this degree is inappropriate." He also expressed concern about "the degree you intend to wash over the brick."

Discussing the proposal, HPC member Paul Barrett said he agreed with McGhee regarding the bay window. Phil Forman, who chairs the HPC, commented that it was "not in the vocabulary and style of the building." Miranda Barry noted the bay window would be "highly visible." Kim Wood, who now serves as the architect member of the HPC, suggested there were "other strategies and approaches that might be more appropriate." Barrett also questioned the limewash proposed for the brick. It was decided that the applicant should respond to the concerns raised in the public hearing and by the HPC. That response is expected to happen at tomorrow's meeting of the HPC. Forman expressed the hope that "HPC input is encouraging not discouraging."

The HPC meets tomorrow, Friday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely. 

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Dedicating the Lafayette Marker

On Saturday, a front page article in the Catskill Daily Mail about plans to dedicate the marker at the Greene County Courthouse commemorating the bicentennial of Lafayette's Farewell Tour inspired Gossips to wonder about a similar marker to be installed in Hudson: "The Bicentennial of Lafayette's Farewell Tour." 

As it turned out, our Lafayette marker had already been installed in Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, but there remained questions about if and when it would be dedicated.

Last night, Virginia Martin contacted Gossips to share this information:

We at the Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the DAR have been notified that the unveiling of the historic sign will take place at the Henry Hudson Riverfront Park Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Although it appears it has not been announced anywhere as yet, Hudson's Lafayette marker will be dedicated on Tuesday, May 16, at 10:00 a.m. You read it here first.

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More Hyperbole from the Register-Star

At the beginning of 2022, when Mayor Kamal Johnson appointed Theresa Joyner to chair the Planning Board, the Register-Star declared her "the first woman and the first woman of color to lead the city Planning Board." While the latter part of the statement was true, the former certainly wasn't. Until only six months prior to Joyner's appointment, the Planning Board was chaired by Betsy Gramkow, and Judy Meyer chaired the Planning Board, then a Planning Commission, in the first decade of the 21st century.

Today, the Register-Star is hailing Mishanda Franklin, who will succeed Ed Moore as police chief, as "the first person of color and the first woman to lead the Hudson Police Department." Again, the Register-Star is too lavish with its firsts. While Franklin will be Hudson's first woman chief of police, she is not the first person of color to serve in that role. Ellis Richardson was chief of the Hudson Police Department for more than a decade, retiring in 2013.

Ellis Richardson

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CLC Seeking to Acquire Land in North Bay

In 2011, the Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) published its master concept plan for the area along the river on Hudson's north side called North Bay Recreation and Natural Area. The plan outlined a proposal to transform the capped landfill at the north end of Second Street and the surrounding open space of tidal wetlands and grassland habitat into a "public park and conservation area that will offer exceptional beauty, the natural resources of the Hudson River estuary, education about human settlement and industry along the river, and access to a trail network covering potentially 1,000 acres, all within walking distance of downtown Hudson."

More than a decade has passed since CLC published its master concept plan for North Bay, and in that time nothing has happened to make the plan a reality, but this morning, at the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) meeting, Gossips learned that the CLC is looking to pursue its plan for North Bay by acquiring a parcel of land along the river currently owned by the Hudson IDA. On the map below, C marks the parcel owned by the IDA, which comprises about 39 acres of tidal wetland and about 14 acres of undeveloped upland and extends from the river east across Second Street to abut Charles Williams Park.  

(On the map above, A is the landfill area; B is the location of Harney & Sons Tea; D is Charles Williams Park; and E is City-owned property on which the Hudson Dog Park is located.)

The following is quoted from the proposal presented by the CLC to the Hudson IDA:

In 2011, the Columbia Land Conservancy, with support from the City of Hudson and Columbia County created a Concept Master Plan for the North Bay Recreation and Natural Area. The plan focused on creating greater public access to this ecologically rich area that also provides incredible recreational and scenic values to the residents of Hudson. The North Bay area has been a community resource for many years. This is exemplified in the 2002 Hudson Comprehensive Plan that calls for a trail network at the North Bay, and the City’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP) also endorses this vision. 

Unfortunately, this vision has been held up due to concerns with leeching around the base of the landfill. Various experts have indicated there are no environmental hazards associated with this leeching; however, concerns exist and no approval has been provided to create access across the landfill base. Instead of looking for alternatives, no work has occurred to advance the vision and it has prevented years of greater access to the outdoors. 

Today we come to you with an alternative proposal that will allow a portion of this vision to move forward. The original vision always included a trail from Charles Williams Park to the Greenport Conservation Area as well as a loop to 2nd Street and the 2nd Street dog park. . . . Most of this trail would be built on lands now owned by the City of Hudson IDA (tax parcel: 110.5-1-1.2). This land has sat vacant for many years and includes a mix of tidal marshes and upland green space. 

Our proposal is for the Hudson IDA to donate or bargain sale this property to the Columbia Land Conservancy. The Columbia Land Conservancy will work with Build Hudson, a local workforce training program, to design and build a trail from Charles Williams Park to the Greenport Conservation Area, realizing a significant portion of the vision for a trail network on this land. CLC will commit to additional fundraising to ensure the long-term care of this property including trail maintenance, educational signage, and future expansion of the trail network including the potential of an ADA trail on adjacent lands–all at no cost to the City of Hudson. 

The trail development being proposed at this time, leading directly from Charles Williams Park to the Greenport Conservation Area, passing along the base of the landfill, is outlined in red on the concept plan below. This map was part of the master concept plan published in 2011, which explains why the Hudson Dog Park does not appear on the map. 

At today's meeting, the IDA agreed to do an appraisal of the parcel to determine fair market value, which is a necessary first step in pursuing the proposal.

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Coming Up Next Month

If rescuing, fostering, and adopting dogs in need is something you care about, there's an event coming up in June that you should add to your calendar.

On Sunday, June 18, which is Father's Day, Pooches Out of Puerto Rico (POOPR), a local not-for-profit that rescues dogs from the streets and high-risk shelters of Puerto Rico and transports them to the Northeast, is holding a Dog Adoption Day, from noon to 5:00 p.m., at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. Several activities are being planned for the afternoon--among them, a vintage car show, a kids' craft table, dog training questions and answers, information about the dog crisis in Puerto Rico--but the central feature of the event and its raison d’être will be the puppies and dogs, rescued from homelessness and distress, who need safe and loving furever homes. So, if you're open to having a sweet little pup steal your heart and fill your life with unconditional love, mark your calendar and plan to attend POOPR's Dog Adoption Day on Sunday, June 18.

News with a Hudson Connection

The Albany Business Review reported yesterday that the owners of Common Roots Brewing Co. in Glens Falls are under contract to purchase CH Evans Brewery at the Albany Pump Station from owner Neil Evans: "Common Roots plans to expand with Albany acquisition."

Neil Evans is a direct descendant of the Evanses who for more than a century brewed beer in Hudson. The article in the Albany Business Review shares this information:

Neil Evans, the owner of CH Evans Brewery, brought his family's historic brand back to life in 1999 when he opened the brewery in the original water pump station in Albany. The original CH Evans brewery started operations in 1786 in Hudson and the company operated up until prohibition in 1920, producing as much as 65,000 barrels in 1915. CH Evans produced about 550 barrels in 2022.

In 2012, Gossips published "A History of the C. H. Evans Brewery," researched and written by Walter G. Ritchie, Jr. That history, which is recommended reading, reports that the brewery was a "thriving and prominent company in Hudson, reputedly producing he finest ales in the northeastern United States." It provides this statistic for comparison: "By 1886, the company produced 550 barrels of ale per day."

C. H. Evans & Sons Brewery, 1900-1910. Historic Hudson. Rowles Studio Collection

Neil Evans' niece, Kelley Drahushuk, is the proprietor of Spotty Dog Books & Ale, the bookstore and bar (serving Evans ale) located in the building that was constructed in 1889 as the truck house for Hudson's third fire company, founded in 1799. The fire company was renamed C. H. Evans Hook & Ladder Co. in 1868 to honor its patron, Cornelius H. Evans. 

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Farewell, Chief Moore

At the informal Common Council meeting tonight, Chief Ed Moore made his final report to the Council.

Moore's report took the form of a letter, which he distributed to each councilmember and, after the meeting, shared with Gossips. The letter began in this way:

On April 24 I gave notice of my intent to retire from public service at the close of business on May 19 after my appointment as your police chief 10 years ago. Accordingly this will be my last presentation to our City Council. I am proud that over the last decade I have attended nearly all of the 120 or so police committee & informal meetings--I believe I have missed 2. From the beginning I have routinely delivered statistics and highlighted important events that impacted our city as well as your police department. I believe this transparency has kept our public informed and has better equipped our council to address the changing needs and concerns of our city.

We have been through a lot over the last 10 years. We moved our station after over 100 years on Warren Street. We lost Bill Wrigley. We had lively debates about SWAT, use of force and police reform, ICE and Sanctuary City, and drug raids. We came through a rough and violent 2017, as well as a pandemic. We also dealt with a frozen mannequin, bears, and the occasional wayward moose. Through it all your officers remained faithful to their duty--answering their calls and working those extra hours that all this demanded.

The Police Commissioner has informed me that Lt. Mishanda Franklin will be taking over as our new chief. I have full trust and confidence that Mishanda will complete her duties with the utmost integrity with a passion for the well-being of our citizens and our officers. Many here know that she is a product of this city and can personally attest to her intelligence, integrity, and kindness. All attributes that will serve her well in her new position. She will succeed in making this department better.

Moore's letter acknowledged examples of "underperformance" in his decade of service (there were three) before inventorying the many accomplishments. Among the former was this:

It was my hope back in 2013 that we could create a sustained highly visible foot patrol. While foot patrol hours were increased, we are still not at the level that I think the public would fully appreciate. Data shows us that a foot patrol doesn't necessarily prevent crime dramatically--for example during two violent shootings (10/13/17 and 5/16/20) our foot patrols were actively patrolling just a few yards from the incidents. Recently, foot patrols were in the area and close by then shots were fired on Columbia Street (01/23/23) and when The Maker's window was shot out (12/10/22). However we still acknowledge foot patrols enhance the person-to-person relationship with our citizens as well as addressing minor quality of life issues.

Moore's letter also addressed his concerns for the future, among them this:

The Council should look to remove 26 officer cap for HPD (C19-14, LL 2-2013). Looking to future, new large housing/apartment development will create a corresponding increase in calls for service. This will require more officers to answer calls. HPD has averaged 7,286 calls per year over the past 10 years with no severe fluctuations. This is a base line number that we should monitor. We should also look to lift C20-3 residency limit (20 miles) so we do not limit our already shrinking officer candidate pool.

Moore's last day as chief of the Hudson Police Department is Friday, May 19. Mishanda Franklin will be sworn in as chief of police on Monday, May 22, at 9:oo a.m.

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SPOUT Exhibition Opens on Thursday

Half a century ago, around the time that Urban Renewal reimagined much of Hudson, the city's business owners banded together to form an organization called SPOUT to counteract the effect of the strip malls cropping up in Greenport and bring people and their custom to Hudson. The acronym, meant to acknowledge Hudson's whaling roots, stood for Society to Promote Our Unique Town.

Formed in 1975, SPOUT launched a fairly robust program intended to attract visitors from near and far to Hudson. It was during the SPOUT era that Hudson street signs gained the little whale icon.

Much memorabilia from that era has found its way to the History Room at the Hudson Area Library, and the History Room staff and members of the History Room Committee have assembled it into an exhibition entitled "From Elvis to Action Windows: When SPOUT Brought Hudson Alive." The exhibition opens this Thursday, May 11, at 6:00 p.m., with a reception that includes a talk about the era as well as wine, cheese, and Talbott & Arding whale cookies. Come prepared to spend some money. SPOUT-related merchandise, designed by Kelley Drahushuk and Alan Coon, co-owners of Spotty Dog Books & Ale, and featuring the iconic SPOUT whale logo, will be for sale at the event.

Drahushuk, a member of the History Room Committee and co-curator with Gary Sheffer of the exhibition, describes it as "a great way for people to learn . . . how Hudson of the SPOUT era reflects what was going on in the country at large during the time of urban renewal and the rise of shopping malls and chain retail."

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Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

It appears that this weekend's lovely weather will continue into the week ahead. On the meeting front, here is what's happening.

• On Monday, May 8, the Common Council holds its informal meeting at 6:00 p.m. Of interest on the agenda are two resolutions amending the city charter as it pertains for the Fire Department. Both resolutions, which can be found here and here, have to do with residency requirements for volunteer firefighters. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely. 

• On Tuesday, May 9, the Planning Board holds its monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. The agenda for the meeting has not yet has published. The meeting is hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
• On Wednesday, May 10, the Hudson Industrial Development Agency (IDA) meets at 9:30 a.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at 1 City Centre, Suite 301, and Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
• Also on Wednesday, May 10, Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency meets at 4:30 p.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
• On Friday, May 12, the Historic Preservation Commission meets at 10:00 a.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
• On Saturday, May 13, it's the annual Mad Hatters' Parade. The parade starts out at 2:00 p.m. from the Hudson Area Library, 51 North Fifth Street, and makes its way to Promenade Hill, where its ETA is 3:oo p.m. The parade route is found below. More information can be found here.

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The Bicentennial of Lafayette's Farewell Tour

HudsonValley 360 has an article today about the plans to dedicate a Lafayette marker on the lawn of the Greene County Courthouse in Catskill on Tuesday, May 16: "Catskill to mark visit of Revolutionary War hero." 

Washington and Lafayette at the Battle of Yorktown, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Hudson is to get a similar marker, to be installed at the waterfront, but it is not known when that will happen or if there will be any ceremony to mark the occasion. Gossips has posted a couple of times about Lafayette's visit to Hudson on September 17, 1824, and the differing accounts of what transpired. Those posts can be read here and here. It seems Hudson had made elaborate plans to welcome the hero, but time constraints prevented him from participating in most or all (depending on the account you read) of the festivities. For this reason, Hudson's Lafayette Trail marker will be positioned at the waterfront, where Lafayette would have arrived and departed, perhaps not even disembarking from the steamer James Kent, which was carrying him up the river to Albany.

Update: No sooner had this post been published than a reader contacted me to say that the Lafayette marker has already been installed in Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. When it was placed there is not known--not known to Gossips, that is.

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News from the Truck Route Committee

At Thursday night's meeting of the ad hoc Truck Route Committee, Margaret Morris (First Ward), who chairs the committee, proposed a first step in easing the truck traffic that passes through Hudson: eliminating the Route 9G/23B truck route through the city.

Morris pointed out that the Route 9G/23B truck route, the second in Hudson, didn't always exist. It was created in the early 1980s to accommodate L&B Furniture, which was located in the vast building behind Basilica Hudson now known as "The Warehouse." L&B received a substantial PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) when it relocated to Hudson, and for decades the City felt compelled to prop it up with foregone taxes. In 2020, Gossips reported: 

In September 2002, the Common Council waived all past due PILOT payments for L&B Furniture--payments that probably amounted to tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. The action was taken "to insure the operation would continue" and "to keep manufacturing jobs in the City of Hudson." The resolution that accomplished that can be found on pages 286-287 of the Council minutes for 2002.   

Despite the City's efforts to keep it alive, L&B went out of business in 2008, but the truck route created for its benefit remained. Given that the truck route has lost its original raison d’être, the City should be able to make a good case for eliminating it with the Department of Transportation.

Of course, eliminating the Route 9G/23B truck route may have the effect of increasing truck traffic on Route 9 as it passes through Hudson, entering the city on Worth Avenue, turning left onto Warren Street, then right onto Park Place, then right onto Columbia, and continuing on Green Street. 

The hope, however, is that, denied access to Route 9G, trucks coming off the Rip Van Winkle Bridge headed for the malls in Greenport or points beyond will continue on Route 23 until they get to 9H instead of threading the needle through Hudson on Route 9. But there is no guarantee of that. At last night's meeting, Jason Foster, who lives on Green Street, opined that creating more conflict in some ways is a good thing.

Council president Tom DePietro, who lives on Worth Avenue, said he personally was not opposed to eliminating the Route 9G/23B truck route, but he was concerned for his neighbors. "That's asking us to bear a lot," he told the committee. He went on to predict, "If you propose this, [my neighbors] will be up in arms."

Linda Mussmann, Fourth Ward supervisor, who is a member of the committee, acknowledged what was being proposed would be good for the Fourth Ward but at the price of "making other neighbors miserable." She expressed the opinion that there needed to be a public hearing on the issue.

Abdus Miah, Second Ward supervisor, took issue with Mussmann, reminding her that relief from trucks traveling on Columbia Street through the Second and Fourth wards was what they had been fighting for. "We can't make everybody happy," said Miah. "We want to solve the problem." DePietro commented, "It's making some people happy at the expense of other people."

In the end, it was decided to pursue the idea of eliminating one of Hudson's two truck routes, the one that enters the city from the south on Third Street, goes up Columbia Street to Green Street, and continues on Green Street until it exits the city.

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Of Interest

Roger Hannigan Gilson reports today in the Times Union that Claire Cousin, currently serving as First Ward supervisor, intends to challenge Didi Barrett for her seat in the State Assembly: "Didi Barrett to be challenged from left in Assembly primary." Cousin made the announcement yesterday afternoon during a protest at Barrett's Poughkeepsie office.

Photo: Roger Hannigan Gilson | Times Union

Cousin's announcement is especially interesting in light of the fact that in February, when announcing his intention to run for reelection, Mayor Kamal Johnson indicated that he was "keeping the door open" to challenging Barrett for the Assembly seat: "Johnson announces reelection bid and does not rule out Assembly run."

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RFP Issued for the Dunn Warehouse

Today, May 3, the City of Hudson issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the Dunn warehouse, the city's only surviving industrial building immediately adjacent to the waterfront, across the street from Henry Hudson Riverfront Park.

The RFP, which can be found here, begins with this statement, highlighted in yellow and printed in red and black. (The colors of type, as well as the underscoring, have been reproduced here, but not the yellow background.)

The City of Hudson is seeking to LEASE OR SELL the Dunn Warehouse Building and property to a qualified investor-developer and will provide funding to the selected developer in an amount over $1 million dollars of NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award funds to assist in the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the former Dunn Warehouse Building as outlined within this Request for Proposals.

A cursory reading of the RFP suggests that the property included is only the land immediately surrounding the Dunn warehouse and not the three City-owned parcels along Water Street between the Dunn warehouse and the Ferry Street Bridge.

In March 2020, the City issued a request for expression of interest in the redevelopment of the Dunn warehouse. The only response received came from Bonacio Construction in Saratoga Springs. In subsequent discussion with Bonacio, it was revealed that Bonacio was also interested in the three vacant City-owned parcels, explaining the "the additional parcels would be needed to round out the Dunn redevelopment site and make a potential investment viable." 

The RFP is vague about exactly what the City is looking for in the redevelopment of the Dunn warehouse, making only this statement:

The City of Hudson desires a project that will leverage location, the historic character of the building, the City’s many assets and create economic activity and a new attraction located at the majestic Hudson River waterfront. 

Responses to the RFP are due on June 8, 2023.

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Watching the Progress on a Historic House

The grand house on the northwest corner of State and Third streets, once known as the William F. Ball place, is probably significant enough to merit historic preservation protection, but it is not included in any locally designated historic district, so it has none. 

When the plans for restoring the house and converting it into eight apartments first came before the Planning Board in July 2021, Gossips reported:

Among the changes proposed for the building are replacing the original slate on the mansard roof with asphalt shingles; replacing the vinyl siding with something whose description sounded like Hardiplank; replacing the double hung windows with black casement windows; transforming the corner commercial entrance, discovered under the vinyl siding in 2018, into something described as a "Juliet balcony" for the apartment to be created in that space.

The next month, the owner of the building appeared before the Planning Board to correct and clarify what was planned for the building. Here's what Gossips reported at that time:

The original slate on the mansard roof is to be repaired not replaced with asphalt shingles. The vinyl siding will be replaced with a composite product that is similar to Hardiplank but is wood-based rather than cement based. There was never a plan to replace the double hung windows with casement windows. The Planning Board had been told that in error. Instead, the double hung windows will be replaced with new double hung windows. . . .

The owner of the building told the Planning Board, "My vision is to make the building look very similar to The Maker. Anything that we can maintain we will."

In January 2022, Gossips reported about the bizarre "ornaments" that had replaced the carved window surrounds on the dormers in the mansard roof. 

In May 2022, Gossips reported that the slate on the mansard roof was being replaced with asphalt shingles. 

In August 2022, Gossips reported on the changes in fenestration, both in size and placement of windows.

Today, to further the "remuddling," the building is being enrobed in what appears to be vinyl siding.

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Ribbon Cutting on Saturday

The Hudson Farmers' Market has been open for two Saturdays now at its old familiar outdoor location at Sixth and Columbia streets, but this Saturday, May 6, the market officially kicks off its 26th season with the annual ribbon cutting with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, giant scissors at all. 

The market opens at 9:00 a.m. The ribbon cutting takes place at 9:30 a.m. This season, there are more than thirty vendors, as well as local guest vendors, food, drinks, and live music, this week provided by Hey Bub. The message from HFM: "We are excited to introduce you to some of our new full time vendors, and you can say hello to all of the cornerstone vendors whom you've come to love over the years. Hope to see you there!"

Meeting Postponed

The monthly meeting of the Hudson Industrial Development Agency (IDA), which was originally to take place tomorrow morning, Wednesday, May 3, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 10, at 9:30 a.m.

HCSD Begins Search for a New Superintendent

A little more than it week ago, it was announced that Dr. Lisamarie Spindler, superintendent of the Hudson City School District, was resigning, effective June 30. Yesterday, on May 1, the Board of Education began its search for her replacement by retaining the search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA). The proposal presented by HYA estimates that cost of the search at $23,850.

The schedule presented in the proposal anticipates that there will be a new superintendent in place on August 1, 2023.

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Meetings of Interest in the Week Ahead

"Tra la, it's May, the lusty month of May." To put a damper on your libido, here are the meetings that are happening in the first week of the month.

• On Tuesday, May 2, the board of Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency (HCDPA) meets at 4:30 p.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
• Also on Tuesday, May 2, the Conservation Advisory Council meets at 6:00 p.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
• On Wednesday, May 3, the Hudson Industrial Development Agency (IDA) meets at 9:30 a.m. The meeting could be interesting, because you never know what project will be next to seek tax abatements. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at 1 City Centre, Suite 301, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

Update: The Hudson IDA meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 10, at 9:30 a.m. 

• Also on Wednesday, May 3, the Common Council Legal Committee meets at 6:00 p.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
• On Thursday, May 4, the ad hoc Truck Route Committee meets at 6:00 p.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely. 

Photo: Peter Spear

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About the Wellness Hub

On April 19, Mayor Kamal Johnson and Matt Murell, chair of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, announced that Congressman Marc Molinaro is requesting $5 million in federal funds for the Wellness Hub in Columbia County. We've been hearing about the Wellness Hub for a while now, and sometimes it seems it will be located in Hudson. That is not the case. The site for the Wellness Hub is in Greenport, not far from the county jail. On Friday, there was an article by Roger Hannigan Gilson in the Times Union that explains the project: "'Wellness Hub' would divert those in crisis from courts, motels and ER."

Step 1: Demolition

In December, the three houses on the west side of North Seventh Street were demolished to make way for the new construction proposed for the site.

So far, there's no word if Galvan will receive the money it seeks from NYS Homes and Community Renewal in this round to construct the building.

Late last week, the cement block warehouse across the street was demolished. The pictures below show the building and how it appeared on Friday.

A Google aerial view of the building reveals that there were solar panels on the roof. One wonders what happened to them when the building was razed.

 

The demolition of the warehouse clears the way for the construction of this building proposed for the site.

The construction of the building proposed for the east side of the street has been identified as Phase 2 of the Depot District project. (Phase 1 was the restoration of the historic Hudson Upper Depot, now occupied by Upper Depot Brewing Company.) Financing for this building, now being identified as 76 North Seventh Street, is not dependent on state funding, so it is possible that construction of the building may begin soon . . . or not.

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