Renovation Project, funded in part with a $1.1 million DRI grant, will Make the Park ADA-Accessible and Add New Amenities

$10 Million DRI Investment in Hudson is Part of a Strategic Goal to Enrich the Community with Key Catalytic Projects

The New York State Department of State today announced the start of construction on an extensive renovation project for Promenade Hill Park in Hudson to add ADA-accessible walkways, landscape improvements and other amenities as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The renovations, which are being funded in part with a $1.1 million DRI grant, will provide much needed upgrades to this important public space to preserve its historic features while providing access to park amenities and extraordinary views of the Hudson and the Catskills for people of all abilities.

"The Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects are helping to reinvigorate Hudson’s economy and expanding its possibilities to welcome residents and visitors,” said New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. “Safe and accessible public gathering spaces are the hallmark of a vibrant downtown and the renovated Promenade Hill Park will provide improved accessibility to the views and beauty of the Hudson River. The upgrades will leverage additional prospects for Hudson and create a more desirable place for residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy for years to come."

Promenade Hill Park, which has been designated as a special park space in Hudson since 1795, will be getting significant upgrades. As part of the project, accessible, family-friendly open spaces for all abilities and ages will be incorporated. Improvements include:

• Accessible access to plaza, seating areas, water fountain, play area, parking lot, and upper promenade.
• Redesigned open plaza, with open and flexible lawn areas.
• Amphitheater stone seating blocks with views of plaza and Warren Street.
• Added cast iron and wood benches, including accessible seating.
• Shade trees and native understory plantings.
• Improved “whale” spray shower.

The park will be closed to the public starting on May 10 as construction begins. Construction is being led by Colarusso and Son, Inc. The overall cost of the project is estimated at around $2 million. In addition to the public funding, the project is also receiving support from private donors, with the H. van Ameringen Foundation contributing $650,000 and the Colarusso Family contributing $100,000. The estimated completion date for the project is January 31, 2022.

Senator Daphne Jordan said, “Adding ADA-accessible walkways, landscape improvements and other essential, family-friendly amenities – including more accessibility to plaza, seating areas, play area, parking lot, and upper promenade, a redesigned open plaza with open and flexible lawn areas, and Amphitheater stone seating blocks affording great views — for Promenade Hill Park in Hudson as part of this $2 million renovation project is welcome news for the community. Upgrading and preserving this valuable public space, while increasing access to park amenities and scenic views of the Hudson and Catskills, will further enhance the community’s special quality of life. I thank Secretary of State Rossana Rosado and the Department of State for advancing this important accessibility and improvement project.”

Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, “I was thrilled when New York State awarded the City of Hudson a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Grant in 2017. The DRI’s implementation has been a tremendous asset to the City and I am very pleased to now see the $2 million renovation project at Promenade Hill Park move forward. Promenade Hill Park is a favorite scenic landmark, as well as a recreational and cultural hub for Hudson residents and visitors alike. This much needed renovation will make it more accessible, sustainable and user-friendly, to be enjoyed by generations to come. I thank the Governor and his team for their leadership on this initiative, and the many active, engaged Hudson residents and leaders for helping make this happen.”

Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson said, “We need to ensure more people can access our public parks. Residents have been demanding park improvements for years and it’s great to be moving forward on this. I appreciate everyone who has contributed to this project.”

Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects Gail Wittwer-Laird said, “The renovated lower plaza will offer a greener gathering area for the community at the terminus of Warren Street as well as provide a fitting accessible gateway to the historic promenade and its enchanting view of the Hudson River.”

The design for the project was led by Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Proper and O’Leary Engineering with significant community input. The project was presented to the Historic Preservation Commission in December 2020 and January 2021. In January 2021, the State Historic Preservation Office and the Hudson Preservation Commission issued approval for the project. In addition, plans were presented to the Common Council in October 2020 and April 2021.

Hudson was named a DRI Round 2 winner in 2017. Downtown Hudson has the look and feel of the post-industrial cityscape, while retaining a working historic waterfront along the Hudson River. Dense housing in the Downtown Revitalization Initiative area ranges from historically-designated single-family homes to townhouses and high-rise apartments, served by a variety of dining and shopping options in revitalized historic structures. Recent organic, entrepreneurial development has primed Hudson for the next phase of its revitalization: the increased development of mixed-use projects that incorporate affordable and market-rate housing and transportation oriented design; job incubation to create high quality, living-wage jobs; workforce development to prepare local workers for year-round local employment; and a re-imagining of the waterfront for expanded public use and enjoyment. DRI investment will drive the continued success of existing private and public ventures; emphasize job growth and the attractiveness of the district; and set the stage for economic and civic expansion in the district and across the Hudson.

The Hudson Strategic Investment Plan is guiding the investment of DRI grant funds in revitalization projects that advance the community's vision for its downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the state's $10 million investment. DRI projects are building upon other investments in the downtown to positively change Hudson and transform the city into a thriving place of opportunity. To learn more about the Promenade Hill Park Improvements and the City of Hudson’s other DRI projects, go to: https://cityofhudson.org/business/DRI.php.

 About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative

In 2016, Governor Andrew Cuomo launched a major new initiative—the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Through the DRI, the Governor moved to aggressively accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhood to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment in all ten regions of the state.  The DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative plan-to-act strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation. 

In the first four years of the DRI, the State has committed $400 million to invest in downtowns that are ripe for revitalization and have the potential to become magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, greater economic and housing diversity, and opportunity. Participating communities are nominated by the state's ten Regional Economic Development Councils based on the downtown's potential for transformation, and each community is awarded $10 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the community's vision for revitalization. The DRI is chaired by New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. Communities receive support from private sector experts and a team of state agency staff led by the Department of State in close partnership with Empire State Development, and NYS Homes and Community Renewal. 

For more information on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, go to: www.ny.gov/programs/downtown-revitalization-initiative.

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