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Chamber of Commerce officially opposes St. Charles plan
By Francesca Olsen
HUDSON — The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development and Government Affairs Committee met with Board of Supervisors Chairman Art Baer, R-Hillsdale, Monday to discuss the proposal to create transitional housing at the current St. Charles Hotel.
The Chamber Committee has taken a position against the proposal and has made motions to officially oppose it and request the supervisors immediately withdraw their resolution to negotiate a seven-year lease for the St. Charles building.
David Colby, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said he has seen an “overwhelming outcry” from residents and business owners against the plan. “It just seems like a really bad idea,” he said. “We understand there’s an issue. We’re happy to engage in the issue.”
“Not engaging the business community has been a mistake thus far,” said Michael Sullivan, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.
“The solutions have to be thought of a little more,” said Sullivan. “They have to consider business and economic development. Already several individuals have stopped moving Hudson projects forward as a result of the recent actions the county has taken.”
Colby and Sullivan argue that any homeless housing, be it emergency, transitional or a shelter, should not be at the “gate of the city.”
“I think the whole county should be looked at. Certainly, it’s not a ‘not in my backyard’ issue,” said Colby, who mentioned there was a tourism kiosk right across the street from the St. Charles Hotel. “It just seems very, very quick, and not going through the complete process it should.”
“Given the few number of people currently occupying the St. Charles, I don’t know that the absence of those few people would make a significant difference to the economy of the upper end of Warren Street,” said Baer. “The numbers don’t seem to support that as a major economic development engine in that part of the city at this time.”
“The Social Services issues are very connected to the economics of business. It’s about time the Social Services and the business community start to engage,” said Colby. “It’s a community issue. Any issue we have in our community effects business. When there are issues in the community, it’s the responsibility of the chamber to engage.”
Colby and Sullivan have sent their motions to the full chamber board for a vote. The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce has 850 members. As of press time, the motions had passed, but a full vote had not been received.
“When we feel we’re not being heard, it’s our obligation to come out,” said Colby.
“Given all the information they have, I’m not surprised they’re concerned about the proposal,” said Baer. “I challenge them to sit down and come up with some alternative options that address this pressing social problem that we are dealing with — and would be more than glad to discuss any of the options.”
“We really do deserve to have a first rate hotel that we can all send business to,” said Sullivan. “It’s a beautiful building. It has a great facade.”
Baer said that plans for a new hotel, probably a chain hotel, are in the works. “The commissioner for Planning and Economic Development is working with some hotel chains right now to establish another hotel in the county,” he said. “Frankly, the St. Charles is not operating anywhere near full capacity right now. I think that’s unlikely to change in the near future.”
The Chamber Committee has taken a position against the proposal and has made motions to officially oppose it and request the supervisors immediately withdraw their resolution to negotiate a seven-year lease for the St. Charles building.
David Colby, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said he has seen an “overwhelming outcry” from residents and business owners against the plan. “It just seems like a really bad idea,” he said. “We understand there’s an issue. We’re happy to engage in the issue.”
“Not engaging the business community has been a mistake thus far,” said Michael Sullivan, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.
“The solutions have to be thought of a little more,” said Sullivan. “They have to consider business and economic development. Already several individuals have stopped moving Hudson projects forward as a result of the recent actions the county has taken.”
Colby and Sullivan argue that any homeless housing, be it emergency, transitional or a shelter, should not be at the “gate of the city.”
“I think the whole county should be looked at. Certainly, it’s not a ‘not in my backyard’ issue,” said Colby, who mentioned there was a tourism kiosk right across the street from the St. Charles Hotel. “It just seems very, very quick, and not going through the complete process it should.”
“Given the few number of people currently occupying the St. Charles, I don’t know that the absence of those few people would make a significant difference to the economy of the upper end of Warren Street,” said Baer. “The numbers don’t seem to support that as a major economic development engine in that part of the city at this time.”
“The Social Services issues are very connected to the economics of business. It’s about time the Social Services and the business community start to engage,” said Colby. “It’s a community issue. Any issue we have in our community effects business. When there are issues in the community, it’s the responsibility of the chamber to engage.”
Colby and Sullivan have sent their motions to the full chamber board for a vote. The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce has 850 members. As of press time, the motions had passed, but a full vote had not been received.
“When we feel we’re not being heard, it’s our obligation to come out,” said Colby.
“Given all the information they have, I’m not surprised they’re concerned about the proposal,” said Baer. “I challenge them to sit down and come up with some alternative options that address this pressing social problem that we are dealing with — and would be more than glad to discuss any of the options.”
“We really do deserve to have a first rate hotel that we can all send business to,” said Sullivan. “It’s a beautiful building. It has a great facade.”
Baer said that plans for a new hotel, probably a chain hotel, are in the works. “The commissioner for Planning and Economic Development is working with some hotel chains right now to establish another hotel in the county,” he said. “Frankly, the St. Charles is not operating anywhere near full capacity right now. I think that’s unlikely to change in the near future.”
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