. . . FROM INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION

This is the moment when a community either stands up for its waterfront—or loses it.

The City of Hudson’s riverfront is not just a dock. It’s where families walk, kids play, neighbors gather, public events happen, and visitors fall in love with this city. Once it’s lost to unchecked industrial expansion, we don’t get it back.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW

A recent Hudson Planning Board decision allows unlimited truck traffic and weekend industrial operations next to Henry Hudson Riverfront Park—despite overwhelming public opposition and no meaningful protections for public health, safety, or access. This approval opens the door to a dramatic escalation of industrial activity at the waterfront, threatening a shared public space that generations have fought to protect.

WHY WE’RE TAKING LEGAL ACTION

Our Hudson Waterfront, together with community partners, has filed an Article 78 legal action in New York State Supreme Court to challenge this decision and hold the Planning Board accountable. The petition, filed against the City of Hudson Planning Board and

A. Colarusso & Sons, Inc., can be viewed here .

This lawsuit asks the court to require lawful decision-making and fair consideration of community impacts. It does not seek damages. It seeks accountability.

THE PUBLIC’S VOICES WERE IGNORED

Since 2019 alone, the Planning Board received:

• 200+ public comment letters

• 1,800+ petition signatures

Citizens raised serious concerns about:

Despite decades of advocacy for a greener, more accessible waterfront, the Planning Board approved a Dock Conditional Use Permit for A. Colarusso & Sons allowing:

• Unrestricted truck traffic

• Weekend operations

• No enforceable cap on truck volume

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HUDSON

Since Colarusso purchased the dock in 2014, truck traffic has nearly tripled—from over 5,400 trips in 2015 to over 15,000 in 2019. Under this approval, traffic could surge to 70,000 truck trips per year or more, permanently changing the waterfront and creating serious risks for residents, visitors, and the city as a whole.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Your support makes this legal challenge possible. Please consider a one-time or recurring donation:

• $25 – Helps pay for court filing fees & public-records preparation

• $50 – Supports legal research & motion drafting

• $100 – Contributes to expert review & attorney time

• $250+ – Directly supports the Article 78 filing

• $500+ – Sustains advocacy through briefs and hearings

Every dollar matters—and every contribution strengthens our ability to protect this

public space.

WHAT IS AN ARTICLE 78?

An Article 78 proceeding allows a court to determine whether a government body:

• Followed the law

• Acted arbitrarily or capriciously

This case is about ensuring lawful, transparent decision-making—not politics.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Taking legal action to protect Hudson’s waterfront is costly, but it’s something we cannot do alone. This GoFundMe was created to help our community come together and support this effort.

Our initial goal represents just a portion of the anticipated expenses. All donations will go directly toward legal fees, expert review, court costs, and related outreach and administrative expenses necessary to support this action.

Donations support a lawful Article 78 court proceeding. Donors are not parties to the case and incur no legal liability by contributing.

Hudson’s waterfront belongs to the people. If you value public access, health & safety, and a fair process, please consider donating or sharing this campaign.

Any support—financial or by sharing—is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration.

For additional information, visit our new Our Hudson Waterfront webpage and click on What's a Waterfront Worth? Help Secure Its Future.

Note: Tips to GoFundMe are entirely optional and not required. You may adjust them up or down as you like.

Tax note: GoFundMe donations support legal costs but are not tax-deductible charitable contributions.