The Acquisition Continues

Although, as Gossips reported yesterday, the Galvan Foundation is actively acquiring property in Savannah, Georgia, the acquisition of Hudson has not stopped. Gossips learned yesterday that Galvan Initiatives Foundation recently purchased 64 Green Street.

The sale was recorded on October 5, 2023.

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Before the Council Tonight

The Common Council holds its regular meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. Some new items have appeared on the agenda since Gossips published the list of this week's meetings. Among them is a resolution authorizing the honorary naming of the 200 block of Warren Street "Jacob and Barbara Walthour Way." 

The resolution contains the puzzling statement that the Walthours were, among other laudable achievements, "founding members of the Colored Citizen's Club in Hudson in 1970." Over the years, Gossips research has uncovered evidence that the Colored Citizen's Club existed long before 1970. In 1940, the Hudson Daily Star reported that the Colored Citizen's Club had purchased the former St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church at 255 Columbia Street to use as a meeting place. Accounts of the fire that destroyed Farmers National Bank in 1926 indicate that the Colored Citizens Club had rooms on the second floor of the bank.

It is not known when the Colored Citizens Club was first started in Hudson, but the evidence shows it already existed in the 1920s. Perhaps it lapsed into a period of inactivity at some point, and the Walthours were instrumental in its revival in 1970. Maybe 1970 was the year when the Colored Citizens Club expanded their meeting place and created the building shown below, which stood at the corner of Third and Columbia streets until it was demolished by the City at the end of 2011. It would be nice to know the full history of the club in Hudson.

Also new on the agenda for tonight's Common Council meeting is a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with CGS Group for the redevelopment of the Dunn warehouse.

The Council meeting, which begins at 6:00 p.m., 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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Gossips on the thehudsonwail

This morning's post about Galvan in Savannah merited the attention of thehudsonwail. The comment on Instragram from this elusive observer of Hudson is too good not to share.

Galvan in Savannah

It seems the Galvan Foundation is busy acquiring more and more property in Savannah, particularly in the city's historic Cuyler-Brownville neighborhood, and just as Gossips tried to monitor Galvan's ever-increasing inventory here in Hudson, Savannah Agenda is tracking the acquisition in Savannah. Yesterday, Savannah Agenda reported that Galvan had purchased the home of the late Savannah civil rights icon W.W. Law: "New York nonprofit buys WW Law home." 

W.W. Law standing on the porch of his home.
Photo courtesy City of Savannah Municipal Archive

In addition to reporting the sale and recounting the achievements of W.W. Law, the article provides the link to a map and database of Galvan properties in Savannah.

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Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

As the weather grows colder and more autumnal, here is what's happening.

• This week, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) continues its budget workshops. On Monday, October 16, the BEA meets at 2:30 p.m. to consider non-departmental expenses. The workshop takes place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• Also on Monday, October 16, the Hudson Housing Authority Board of Commissioners holds its monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. At the last meeting, HHA's development partner promised to return in October with the completed preliminary plan, which will be submitted to the state, for new construction to replace Bliss Towers, and the board will be asked to vote on approving it. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person in the Community Room at Bliss Towers, 41 North Second Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.  

• On Tuesday, October 17, the Common Council holds its regular monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. So far, the agenda for the meeting does not include anything particularly noteworthy, but that could change. 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, October 18, the Hudson Industrial Development Agency (IDA) meets at 9:30 a.m. Among the items on the agenda is the sale of 51.5 acres of land on North Second Street to the Columbia Land Conservancy. The parcel, which is primarily a tidal wetland, extends east from the river, runs along the north side of the Hudson Dog Park, and continues across the street to abut Charles Williams Park. 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.

• At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, the Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to hold its monthly meeting. No agenda is as yet available for the meeting, which takes place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• On Friday, October 20, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) holds a budget workshop on revenue at 2:30 p.m. The workshop is in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• On Saturday, October 21, there will be a Halloween Dog Parade & Costume Contest to benefit AnimalKind. Dogs and their humans gather at Promenade Hill Park at 11:30 a.m. The parade down Front Street to Henry Hudson Riverfront Park begins at noon.

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Coming to a Train Station Near You

Yesterday, USA Today reported about new trains with "world-class accommodations" that are being built by Amtrak: "Amtrak unveils new fleet of Airo trains and the 14 routes they will serve." According to the report, the new trains "can operate at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour . . . and provide spacious interiors, panoramic windows, plenty of legroom, double and single seats, dedicated outlets, USB ports and onboard Wi-Fi."

Photo courtesy Amtrak

Photo courtesy Amtrak

The Airo trains are expected to debut in 2026 on fourteen Amtrak routes, among them Empire Service from New York City to Niagara Falls, which passes through Hudson.

Every Building Has a History

This house at 739 Columbia Street is undergoing a major restoration/renovation, and in the process, the current owner has uncovered some interesting information about its history, which has been shared at Historic Preservation Commission meetings.

In an early presentation to the HPC, the applicant revealed that the building had been moved to its current location from someplace on State Street in the 1920s. Yesterday, the applicant returned to the HPC seeking an amendment to the certificate appropriateness already granted. Approval was sought to raise the gabled roof 24 inches.

In the process of making the case for the change, the applicant shared this photograph of the house as it was soon after it was moved to the site in the 1920s. The photo shows that the gabled roof was added to the original building.

Of equal interest in the picture is the building that is its focus, which bears a sign that reads "Hudson Dress Co." As Gossips discovered at few years ago, the Hudson Dress Co. was founded in 1919 by Isadore Krupnik in the "old Traver Mill building" on Diamond Street. When the picture below was taken, the company was known as Krupnik & Jitomir Hudson Dress Co.

The ghost of the sign can still be seen on the building, which is now the location of Kasuri. 

In 1922, the Hudson Dress Company moved to a location farther up Columbia Street, to the building across an alley from 739 Columbia Street, which was the original St. Charles Hotel. 

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Update on the Apartments of Distinction

At the end of this morning's meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission, the situation at 501 Union Street was discussed briefly.

When the topic came up, Phil Forman, who chairs the HPC, dismissed it, saying, "That's in Craig's hands," referring to code enforcement officer Craig Haigh. On September 8, Haigh told Walter Chatham, the architect for the project, "You are noncompliant. All work must cease until this is resolved." "This" was the application of limewash when the certificate of appropriateness specifically stated: "Original patina of brick shall be maintained."

HPC historian Paul Barrett pointed out that the chimneys had been limewashed after a stop work order had been imposed on all work except for that involved in the storefront. Haigh then said that he was probably going to issue a "stop everything" order and went on to say, "Now, it's going to be a legal action." HPC member John Schobel concurred, saying, "It's important that nothing else be done." 

It will be interesting to see how the situation is resolved. Gossips has it on good authority that any method that would be effective in removing the limewash would also remove the outer surface of the brick, causing irreparable damage.

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A Behind the Scenes Story

Next Friday, the long awaited, greatly anticipated R.B. Schlather production of George Frideric Handel's opera Rodelinda opens at Hudson Hall. An interesting detail of the production is that the set for the opera was built by Consigli Construction, the general contractor that completed the final phase of the $8.5 million restoration of Hudson Hall in 2017. 

Anyone familiar with the building and its long history appreciates the remarkable job Consigli did in restoring the building's Performance Hall. Since completing the restoration, Consigli has remained a steadfast supporter of Hudson Hall. Faced with having to build a set for Rodelinda, the first traditional set to be built on the stage of Hudson Hall since the restoration, executive director Tambra Dillon mentioned the challenge to Consigli, and they responded by offering not only to help but to donate both their time and the materials. 

So, instead of working on building or restoring a major multi-million dollar project, a small Consigli crew has been working at Hudson Hall, constructing an opera set, which includes building a beautiful 10-foot table, strong enough to hold an opera singer! It is a rare thing when a company that completes $1 billion of work each year steps up to lend a hand to a regional theater. Even Scott Cruikshank, Consigli project executive, rolled up his sleeves and strapped on his tool belt to help.

Consigli Construction's Danielle Millett painting a table for Rodelinda

Left to right: Sage Carter, Hudson Hall general manager; Scott Cruikshank, Consigli project executive; Tambra Dillon, Hudson Hall executive director 

Dillon commented, "For Hudson Hall, Consigli is The Dream Team. When we dreamed of returning New York State's oldest surviving theater to community use, not only did Consigli do a stunning restoration, but they completed the project ahead of time. Then, Consigli was the first to invest in Hudson Hall's historic tax credits and has always stepped up to show their support. But never in our wildest dreams did we imagine Consigli would be so generous as to build us a beautiful set for our upcoming production of Rodelinda. We are so grateful to the entire Consigli crew for their skills, generosity, and commitment to supporting the community."

In related news, R.B. Schlather, producer and director of Rodelinda spoke with Sarah LaDuke about the opera and the production this morning on WAMC's Roundtable. That conversation can be heard here.

There will be six performances of Rodelinda, the first on Friday, October 20, and the final performance on Sunday, October 29. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

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Everything We've Always Hoped For

At the informal Common Council meeting on Tuesday, Sean Roland, Caitlin Baiada, and Gabriel Katz, who together make up the CGS Group, presented their proposal for the Dunn warehouse. As Gossips has reported, theirs is the proposal, submitted in response to an RFP issued in April, that the DRI committee has chosen.  

The proposed plan follows fairly closely what was Option 2 in the Dunn Warehouse Adaptive Reuse Redevelopment Analysis and Master Plan done by Saratoga Associates back in 2015. There would be two commercial spaces, available for lease to waterfront-related businesses, and a food and beverage space, for a casual restaurant or concession, in the north section of the building, and an events space, available to rent for private events "and at a steeply discounted rate for community or municipal events." There is an element, however, in the CGS Group plan that was not part of the Saratoga Associates plan: an outdoor pool, open to Hudson residents, with sliding scale memberships.

Over the years, I've been party to a number of public forums convened to discuss the community's vision for the Dunn warehouse, even conducting one in 2016 during the short-lived revival of the Waterfront Advisory Steering Committee, and I can safely say that the proposal from the CGS Group satisfies what has been the community vision for the building in the past. We'll see if the vision has changed in the past eight or so years. One of the things the group is planning to do in the ninety-day due diligence period they are proposing is to conduct community visioning/focus groups. 

In the plan being proposed, CGS Group would not purchase the building. Rather the City of Hudson would retain ownership. 

Commenting on the proposal at the meeting on Tuesday, Councilmember Margaret Morris (First Ward), who served on the committee making the recommendation, said the proposal "showed a great understanding of the integration of the building and the waterfront." City treasurer Heather Campbell, who also served on the review committee, said she was convinced this was the best option, adding that she thought the group "truly understands how the building should benefit the community."

The entire presentation of the proposal for the Dunn warehouse can be seen in the Zoom recording of the meeting, beginning at 1:35:30. 

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Mark Your Calendars

At its meeting tonight, the Planning Board scheduled a special meeting to take place on Thursday, October 26, at 4:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the public comments received regarding the proposed Colarusso haul road. 

 

A Fundraising Auction Worthy of Note

Gossips doesn't often post about fundraisers (the notable exception being fundraising efforts to benefit the Hudson Dog Park), but there is one fundraiser going on right now that is, in my opinion, too brilliant to ignore. It is happening right now for the benefit of The Flow Chart Foundation, the not-for-profit that "explores poetry and the interrelationships of various art forms as guided by the legacy of American poet John Ashbery."

John Ashbery, Muzzle, c. 1972, Tibor de Nagy

What some may not know is that John Ashbery created collages throughout his life. This article, which appeared in Artsy in October 2017, talks about Ashbery's collages and their relationship to his poetry: "Why Famous American Poet John Ashbery Made Hundreds of Collages." 

Over the years, Ashbery collected an abundance of material for his collages, much of which was never used. So The Flow Chart Foundation had the ingenious idea of giving some of Ashbery's collage materials to some of their favorite artists and poets to make into new artworks that would be auctioned to support the foundation.  

John Ashbery, A Dream of Heroes, 2015, Tibor de Nagy

The collages in the auction are the work of Polly Apfelbaum, Susan Bee, Star Black, Todd Colby, Brandon Downing, Julie Evans, Lucio Pozzi, Rachel Blau DuPlessis, Ben Gocker, Elizabeth Hazan, Wayne Koestenbaum, Joyce Kozloff, Richard Kraft, Jeffery Lependorf, Guy Maddin, Debra Pearlman, Archie Rand, Frank Tartaglione, and Stephen Westfall. The work of many of the artists who have created collages sells for thousands of dollars, so the auction is a chance to acquire a fine piece of art as well as bits of Ashbery ephemera. To view all the collages and to make a bid, visit the auction site.  

There will be an artist reception and viewing of all the works on Saturday, October 21, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the Flow Chart Space, 348 Warren Street. Click here to RSVP for this event.

Happening Tonight in the Public Square

 

On the Streets of Our City

The Hudson Police Department issued the following press release this morning regarding an attack that took place last Thursday evening on the 200 block of Warren Street.

On Thursday, October 5, 2023, the Hudson Police Department arrested 34-year-old Michelle L. Moskaluk of Hudson, NY. Moskaluk was arrested for the following: Robbery 1st Degree w/dangerous instrument, a class B felony; Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree, a class D felony; and Menacing 2nd Degree, a class A misdemeanor.

On Thursday, October 5, 2023, at approximately 6:02 p.m., the Hudson Police Department received a call from a local business on the 200 block of Warren Street. The caller reported Moskaluk was outside on the street chasing and attacking people with a weapon that appeared to be a broom or a stick.

Officer Foutch responded immediately in the area of the call. The Officer witnessed Michelle Moskaluk chasing a disabled elderly female with what appeared to be a large stick. He then observed Moskaluk swinging that same item at the elderly female several times. Moskaluk fled the area upon observing Police presence.

The female victim reported to police Moskaluk attacked her and pushed her to the ground. Moskaluk then stole $100.00 from the victim’s purse and fled the scene. The female victim declined any medical treatment at the time of the incident.

HPD Patrols were able to locate Moskaluk a short time later in the Seventh Street Park. She was arrested and transported to HPD for processing and arraignment.

Moskaluk was arraigned in the City of Hudson Court in front of Judge Connor. Moskaluk was remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash / $10,000 bond or $20,000 partially secured bond. Moskaluk is scheduled back to court on October 10, 2023, at 9 a.m. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for today, October 11, 2023.

The Hudson Police Department recognizes that Moskaluk is a troubled individual in need of assistance; however, we urge the community to use caution if approached by her. Her attacks are usually unprovoked and unpredictable, and after she has solicited for money or drugs.

During the past six months, Moskaluk has been arrested by the Hudson Police Department nine different times on multiple criminal charges; these do not include several non-custodial arrests and offenses that occurred during the same time frame or any other Police agency arrests.

April 24, 2023--Torturing an animal, Menacing 3rd Degree, and resisting arrest, all class A misdemeanors.

April 25, 2023--Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree and resisting arrest, class A misdemeanors

April 25, 2023--Tampering with physical evidence a class E felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th Degree a class A misdemeanor.

May 22, 2023--Attempted Assault 3rd Degree, criminal trespass 3rd degree, and resisting arrest, all class A misdemeanors.

August 21, 2023--Criminal trespass 3rd degree, class A misdemeanor.

August 22, 2023--Criminal trespass 3rd degree, class A misdemeanor

August 22, 2023--Criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th degree, class A misdemeanor

September 7, 2023--Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree, a class A misdemeanor

Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

The temperatures have dropped, and it is now definitely autumn. As we pull our sweaters out of storage, here is what's happening.

• Tuesday, October 10, is the last day to submit written comments to the Planning Board regarding the Colarusso application for a conditional use permit for their proposed paved, two-lane haul road through South Bay. The deadline for submitting written comments is the end of the business day--in other words, 5:00 p.m. The names and email addresses of the members of the Planning Board can be found here.

• Also on Tuesday, October 10, the Common Council holds a special meeting at 5:45 p.m. to consider a resolution authorizing an additional service agreement for continued development of the ADA feasibility study for the Oakdale beach house. According to the resolution, after completion of the original feasibility study, "Youth Department leadership and the Mayor's office have determined that three of the four schematic options must be further refined before presenting the study and its recommendations to the Common Council and the public." This further refinement is going to cost $14,500. The special meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Link here to join the meeting remotely.

• At 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, the Common Council holds its informal meeting. One of the highlights of the meeting will be a presentation by CGS Group of what they are proposing for the adaptive reuse of the Dunn warehouse. 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, October 11, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) continues its budget workshops. At 2:30 p.m., the Police Department presents its proposed budget; at 3:3o p.m., Michelle Tullo, Housing Justice Director, presents her proposed budget. The workshops take place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, the Planning Board holds its monthly meeting. The agenda, which can be found here, includes the new location of Lil' Deb's Oasis, the subdivision proposed for Hudson Avenue, the amendments to the site plan for the proposed Galvan hotel at Fourth and Warren streets, and Phase 2 of what is proposed for Return Brewing. The agenda does not include Colarusso. 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, October 12, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) continues its budget workshops. At 3:00 p.m., the Senior Center presents its proposed budget; at 3:30 p.m., the treasurer's office presents its proposed budget; at 4:00 p.m., the BEA considers the Planning Board's budget. The workshops take place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• On Friday, October 13, 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.

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Take Part in an Online Town Hall

The Hudson Sloop Club is gathering ideas for the Hudson Public Pier, located near the gazebo in Henry Hudson Riverfront Park.

Toward this end, FutureHudson has put together an online town hall that allows participants to share their ideas and vote on their neighbors' ideas "to make the Hudson Public Pier a place you want to be." Click here to participate. The town hall is open until Sunday, October 15.

The Deadline Approaches

Last Wednesday, after a little more than two hours, the Planning Board closed the public hearing for oral comment on Colarusso's application for a conditional use permit for its proposed paved, two-lane haul road through South Bay but kept the hearing open for written comments for ten business days. This means that written comments on the proposal can be submitted to the members of the Planning Board until the close of business (which Gossips takes to be 5:00 p.m.) on Tuesday, October 10. The names and email addresses of the Planning Board members can be found here.

Photo: Our Hudson Waterfront

Photo: Linda Mussmann

If you missed the public hearing, which took place on Wednesday, September 27, Lance Wheeler's video of the hearing can be viewed here. The Zoom recording of the hearing is available here.

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Open Studio Hudson This Weekend

Open Studio Hudson returns this weekend for its fourth year of showcasing local artists in our community. On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, October 7, 8, and 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, Hudson artists welcome collectors, neighbors, and curators to their private studios for behind-the-scenes, unfiltered conversations about process and purpose.

Galleries and curators provide a vital service, but many artists do not have professional representation. Open Studio Hudson 2023 (OSH 2023) is an all-inclusive exhibition encouraging more freedom and authenticity without being juried. Visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour of artist's studios, choosing from a wide range of creative disciplines and techniques, most within an easily walkable area.

Click here to learn about the thirty-four artists participating in OSH 2023. Click here to download the map of the studio sites.

Reporting What We Already Know

Today, the Albany Business Review published an article titled "The Albany region neighborhoods where home prices have risen the most." The article is accompanied by this photograph, showing commercial buildings in the 400 block of Warren Street.

Photo: Donna Abbott-Vlahos | Albany Business Review

The article begins: "At this point, it's no surprise to anyone that home prices have gone up, up and up over the past few years. . . . What might surprise, though, are the neighborhoods where home prices have risen the most locally." It goes on to present a chart of the top fifteen locations, identified by zip code. The top location is 12307, Schenectady, where the median home price has increased 117.71 percent since 2018--from $61,055 in 2018 to $132,921 in 2023. The second highest in 12534, Hudson, where the median home price has increased 84.57 percent since 2018--from $210,720 in 2018 to $388,916 in 2023. Next on the list is 12414, Catskill, where the median home price has increased 78.25 percent since 2018--from $172,615 in 2018 to $307,694 in 2023.

The zip code 12534 takes in a much larger area than just the two square miles that are the City of Hudson. It would be interesting to know what the numbers are for the city alone, where one gets the impression the median home price these days is approaching $1 million.

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Blessing of the Animals

Today is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, and also World Animal Day. Yesterday, Gossips announced that the Blessing of the Animals, which takes place every year at Christ Church Episcopal on the Saturday nearest the Feast Day of St. Francis, will not be happening this year. I learned today, however, that the companion animals of Hudson need not go unblessed this year. On Saturday, October 7, at noon, Father Anthony Barratt will be blessing the animals at St. Mary's Catholic Church, at the corner of East Allen and East Court streets.

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