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**Publication Date: ****January 29th, 2026
Author: David Giroux
Image remixed from the Economist.
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The recent debates over the Hudson Youth Center (HYC) budget exposed a glaring flaw in our local governance: we're operating as separate entities when we should be partners. Nearly one-third of the youth using the HYC come from Greenport, yet Greenport contributes nothing to its funding. We share a school district, a ZIP code, and daily life, but our siloed structures are holding us back. It's time to bridge this divide through consolidation, creating a shared vision that tackles affordable housing, bolsters our service-based economy, and attracts new opportunities for growth.
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Hudson's housing crisis is no secret. With limited space in our two square miles, we're straining to accommodate rising demand, proposing expansions like Bliss Towers and new units on Mill and State Streets. Meanwhile, just a short drive away, Greenport's Fairview Avenue is dotted with vacant strip malls, risking a commercial decline that benefits no one. This imbalance is unsustainable: Hudson's service industry—our hotels, restaurants, and shops—needs a reliable workforce, but we lack the housing to support it. Greenport, with its underutilized spaces, could be the key to unlocking a more vibrant future.
Imagine rezoning parts of Fairview Avenue to create mixed-use developments: affordable workforce housing intertwined with green spaces and walkable retail. Picture the old ShopRite site on Healy Avenue transformed into a thriving community hub, complete with apartments for essential workers, alongside existing amenities like the movie theater, CVS, bank, and gym. Enhanced sidewalks and bike paths could connect this new neighborhood directly to Hudson's Boulevards and Warren Street, fostering a seamless, walkable region that supports our current economy while drawing in new businesses, such as tech startups or creative enterprises. This isn't just pie-in-the-sky dreaming; it's a practical path to economic resilience.
But to make this vision a reality, we must address our fractured governance. Hudson and Greenport are more alike than different—we're neighbors sharing resources and challenges. A consolidated model, perhaps starting with a shared city manager or unified planning board, could streamline costs and amplify our strengths. Consider the numbers: In 2026, Greenport will serve about 4,500 residents on an $8 million budget, while Hudson will manage roughly 5,700 residents with a $19 million budget. Together, we're looking at $27 million in combined resources for a population of 12,500—yet we're wasting potential by staying separate.
At first glance, these figures might spark fear among Greenport residents, who worry about shouldering Hudson's larger costs. That's understandable, but a closer look reveals opportunity. New York State's Citizen Empowerment Tax Credit (CETC), available through General Municipal Law Article 17-A, turns consolidation into a financial win. Here's how:
Unlike informal agreements, CETC requires actual boundary changes under Article 17-A, but that's a feature, not a flaw. This law lets us craft a "Joint Consolidation Agreement" that protects interests—ring-fencing debts so Greenport doesn't inherit Hudson's past obligations and preserving zoning to maintain our unique characters.
Of course, change won't come easy. The "old guard" may resist, clinging to the status quo. But we can start small: Not with an immediate vote, but with a feasibility study to crunch the numbers and map out a path forward. If our leaders hesitate, Article 17-A empowers voters—a petition from just 10% of residents in each town could force the conversation.
By working together, Hudson and Greenport can become a powerhouse in the Hudson Valley, building walkable communities that provide affordable housing, strengthen our service economy, and invite new industries. It's not about erasing our identities; it's about creating a shared future where families thrive, businesses flourish, and the next generation of leaders steps up. Let's seize this moment—our towns are ready for it. Contact your local officials today and demand that feasibility study. Our shared vision starts now.
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The following is a Guest Op-Ed submitted by a passionate Hudson Common Sense Reader. The HCS Editors do not necessarily endorse or agree with any Guest-Op Eds published here, but we do believe in sharing ideas — especially heterodox ideas.
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Explainer: “Op-Ed" stands for opposite the editorial page. It originally referred to articles placed across from a newspaper’s editorial, typically written by guest writers expressing independent opinions. Now it broadly denotes opinion essays by non-editorial voices.
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