Why this Petition Matters
On January 24, 2024, the Columbia County Board of Supervisors held a Public Input meeting regarding the fate of 11 Warren Street, Hudson, NY, which the County recently purchased from the Galvan Foundation for $3.35 million. At this meeting, the public first learned of the County’s “final plans” to repurpose the building for county legal offices and voting machine storage, at an additional estimated cost of $5.53 million for refurbishing. Thus, 11 Warren Street, an 18,622 square foot out-of-character building, located in a prime real estate location at the entrance of Hudson’s historic district, will cost the County at least approximately $8.9 million, or $480 per sq. foot – for offices and storage.

This is a bad decision for the County and the City of Hudson. It will eliminate any ability by the City of Hudson to revitalize the area under the $10 million Downtown Redevelopment Initiative (DRI) Grant it received several years ago. The DRI was designed to develop opportunities for revitalizing Hudson’s riverfront area, and the location of 11 Warren Street could be redeveloped into much needed apartments for people to live in, provide employment opportunities, generate sales and property tax revenue for the City and the County, and help keep property taxes down in the City.

For additional information, see Gossips of Rivertown articles: here on the Public Input meeting, here for opposition statements by a number of City of Hudson representatives, and here for the “recorded” portion of the Public Input meeting.

PETITION Statement:

11 WARREN STREET ACTION GROUP organized this Petition on behalf of concerned citizens of the City of Hudson and Columbia County to The Columbia County Board of Supervisors, Engineering Commissioner, related agencies and other public officials.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, oppose the planned use of 11 Warren Street for County legal offices and storage. We believe such uses prevent the immense opportunity in redevelopment of the property. This block-long property in Hudson’s historic riverfront district stands at the transition point between Warren Street and the rapidly growing River District and its use should benefit the residents of Hudson and all Columbia County.

In making this decision, The Board of Supervisors failed to consider the City of Hudson’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and Comprehensive Plan, as well as input from the City of Hudson and Columbia County stakeholders: residents, homeowners, business owners, and taxpayers. The public was not given an opportunity to make comments until after the decisions were finalized by the Board – at a poorly-publicized weekday afternoon “Public Input” meeting. Further, the public was instructed at the hearing to limit comments to the Board’s presentation and building uses.

In addition to lost tax revenues for the City and County, the County’s plans would postpone or destroy any hope of replacing this relic of misguided urban planning with a more appropriate development – such as housing and job creation – that will benefit the people of Hudson and Columbia County now and in future generations.

We support redevelopment of 11 Warren Street as a multi-story building in keeping with the neighborhood’s historic character, that will provide:

•        Much-needed mixed-income housing 

•        Commercial spaces that will create jobs for our residents and tax revenues for the county, city and state

•        Opportunities for cultural and community-based facilities, such as youth programs.

We strongly urge the Columbia County Board of Supervisors to consider these options:

•        Sell 11 Warren St at a profit to a developer willing to embrace the City of Hudson’s DRI and Comprehensive Plan.

•        Purchase or allocate an alternate location for its county office and storage space. Possibilities include: renovate a property currently owned by the County, purchase of John L. Edwards school building, move to other property(ies) in or outside of Hudson (as permitted), or build a new building in Hudson.

•        Allow MHA’s youth program, The Clubhouse, access to the space it occupied at 11 Warren until a reasonable alternative can be found.

If you have questions or issues, contact your Columbia County supervisor.  City of Hudson residents, you may also reach out to your representatives on the Common Council.

(Please note: If you use the “chip in” option after signing, be aware this money goes to Change.org to advertise this petition to other potential supporters, not directly to the 11 WARREN STREET ACTION GROUP organizing this petition. If you don't want to contribute to this, don't "chip in.")