HUDseen: We All Deserve Better From Those In Charge Of Columbia County

We all know that Hudson is the county seat of Columbia County, where 7 county-owned properties are located. As any property owner is expected to do, the county should be maintaining its properties and sidewalks to the best of its ability. The last thing that Hudson City Hall or those in charge of Columbia County want is a county seat that looks shabby or is dangerous.

With that in mind, why are the sidewalks surrounding 610 State in such horrible, dangerous and insulting condition? I suppose that could be a hypothetical question, but several years ago, at a CC Public Works meeting, I actually posed (most of) that question to the Columbia County Public Works Committee Chairman, Ron Knott. In essence, his response was this: "I have been told that the City of Hudson is going to do something about all the sidewalks in town." And that was it.

Like everyone else, even Columbia County is waiting for Hudson City Hall to figure out a fix for our horrible sidewalks - in this case, the county's own sidewalks! But why didn't Columbia County wait for Hudson to fix the sidewalks in front of and around 401 State, 235 Columbia, the Courthouse, DMV, and the Treasurer's Office? I don't know when those sidewalks were built, but none of them pose any threats to pedestrians like 610 State does. (Not to mention the threat of a lawsuit!)

On the north side of the 600 block of State Street, there are 3 properties held by 2 owners. Columbia County owns 610 State, while Galvan owns 618 State (a long-vacant eyesore) and the vacant lot at 7th which has been surrounded by barriers and fencing for several years (so lovely). It is almost difficult for me to write this, but the sidewalks surrounding Galvan's 2 properties are in better condition than the sidewalks surrounding the county-owned 610 State Street. Much better condition. Which is to say, the county's sidewalks at 610 State must be pretty friggin' awful. And they are!

Of all 7 of the county's downtown buildings, 610 State is the most interesting architecturally (and it is likely the oldest). It has some history and charm, for sure. Unfortunately, its sidewalks have way too much history and very little charm. And it is way past time for Columbia County to fix their own sidewalks in the county seat, instead of waiting for help from Hudson, which may never come.

I think the problem is that 610 State is so old that Columbia County has been hoping for years to move out and into something newer. Investing in the sidewalks is not something they want to waste their money on if, indeed, they do move out. How much time should they be given to make up their mind?