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Industrial Expansion vs. Community Vision — Hudson faces an ongoing conflict between A. Colarusso & Son Inc.’s effort to expand its Greenport gravel trucking operations and the city’s vision for a revitalized, public-friendly waterfront. Since acquiring its dock from Holcim in 2014, Colarusso has sought to intensify industrial activity alongside the city’s Henry Hudson Riverfront Park — home to neighboring riverfront businesses, festivals, pollinator gardens, boating clubs, and community events.
Public Health & Environmental Risks — The operation poses risks to public health and safety due to diesel emissions, silica dust, noise, and traffic hazards — undermining years of environmental restoration and efforts to develop a waterfront focused on recreation, culture, and light industry.
Economic Impacts — Over the past two decades, the Hudson waterfront has become a vibrant center of culture, commerce, and recreation, located adjacent to the third-busiest Amtrak station in New York State. It supports dozens of successful businesses — including Basilica Hudson, Kitty’s, The Caboose, Grapefruit Wines, The Wick Hotel, and numerous antique stores — and attracts thousands of visitors annually. Planned developments such as the former Kaz site and the Dunn Warehouse promise even greater community benefit but are now at risk.
These businesses generate jobs, tax revenue, and tourism that support downtown shops and public services. Yet Colarusso’s truck traffic already affects residents and businesses with dust, diesel fumes, noise, and safety concerns. The greater threat lies in unchecked industrial expansion without enforceable limits.
Background & Legal Status — Colarusso lost its “grandfathered” zoning status after conducting unauthorized dock repairs in 2016. As a result, the company must now obtain a Conditional Use Permit — subject to public and regulatory review.
Grassroots Opposition — Grassroots organizations such as the Valley Alliance and Our Hudson Waterfront (OHW) have led the opposition to Colarusso’s plans for years, citing health, environmental, and community impacts. Between 2019 and 2020, they collected over 1,200 petition signatures. OHW’s most recent petition has garnered more than 400 signatures in just two weeks, calling for the Planning Board to reopen a prematurely closed public hearing.
Haul Road Approval Despite Concerns — In 2023, the Planning Board approved Colarusso’s application to expand its truck road to two lanes through protected wetlands and the South Bay. Critics argue this approval paves the way for ramped-up truck volume and directly violates long-standing city planning efforts, including the 1996 Hudson Vision Plan, 2002 Comprehensive Plan, 2005 Coastal Consistency ruling, 2011 Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP), and Department of State guidance — all of which advocate for removing heavy industry from the waterfront. Each of these precedes Colarusso’s 2014 acquisition of the property.
Truck Traffic Impact — A 2020 Creighton Manning Engineering Study found that Colarusso truck trips to and from the dock nearly tripled between 2015 and 2019 — from 5,460 to 15,180 trips annually — far more than the company disclosed to regulators. Under the approved haul road permit and without a restricted dock permit, activity could rise to over 71,000 truck trips per year, or more.
Current Review & Public Outcry — The Planning Board has resumed review of the dock permit after a five-year pause and three lawsuits (two filed by Colarusso). Despite broad public interest and hundreds of letters urging denial or strong permit conditions, the Board closed oral comments on May 6, 2025, with the written comment period ending May 30 — effectively cutting off further public input.
Why Strong Conditions Matter — Any permit issued will apply to all current and future dock owners. Without strict conditions, Hudson could face unchecked industrial use — similar to past threats such as the St. Lawrence Cement proposal. Gravel hauling comprises only about 11% of Colarusso’s annual New York State contract revenue. Calls for conditions aren’t anti-business. No one is asking Colarusso to shut down its dock operations — but true coexistence requires balance. The Planning Board has both the authority and the obligation to impose conditions that protect public health, safety, and welfare.
What’s at Stake — The threat is more than economic. Hudson’s riverfront is a public place of rare beauty. Like many former industrial river towns, Hudson once turned its back to the river, lining its shores with factories and heavy industry. Today, many cities — Hudson among them — are turning to face the water again, not with nostalgia, but with vision. The waterfront is where people gather. It’s where community is built. And it’s where Hudson can continue to grow — if we’re wise enough to protect it.
Take Action — Sign and share OHW’s petition urging the Hudson Planning Board to reopen the public hearing and uphold its responsibility to require strong, enforceable permit conditions.