Enhances the City of Hudson by Creating a Year-Round, Multi-Use Destination, Complementing the City’s Waterfront
All-Electric Heating and Cooling Systems, Energy Efficiency Upgrades, and Onsite Solar Arrays to Lower Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy Costs
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of the Red Barn in Hudson, Columbia County. This new addition to Hudson’s historic waterfront, located in close proximity to Hudson’s train station, will provide visitors with dining and shopping options and includes over $6 million in construction costs for the new Caboose, an event space, a full-service restaurant, Grapefruit Wines retail store, plus spaces for other community activities. The recently completed Red Barn site, created by South Front Street Holdings LLC, offers a dynamic year-round, multi-use space that will amplify and complement other activities on Hudson's waterfront and help to further advance waterfront revitalization for the region.
“The Hudson River is one of New York State’s greatest assets and it is important to make investments that protect and preserve our natural environment while growing the economy in the surrounding communities,” Governor Hochul said. “The Red Barn in Hudson is a perfect example of sustainable construction that protects our environment, and it’s done in a way that will attract more businesses and grow the local tourism economy.”
Located in Hudson's Downtown Revitalization Initiative "BRIDGE District," the site includes a 6,500 square foot historic post and beam Barn building, and the 4,000 square foot Market Building. The Market Building houses Kitty’s Market and Restaurant, which is now joined by the Caboose and Grapefruit Wines in the adjacent Barn Building to create a space that will further activate and enliven Hudson’s waterfront district year-round. The site includes an expansive garden, which serves as the site for a dynamic roster of performances and other community programming.
The opening of Red Barn Hudson caps three years of construction, which transformed the two long neglected buildings in the heart of Hudson’s waterfront. Sustainable redevelopment, utilizing comprehensive green energy measures and rigorously engineered systems to achieve 100% carbon neutral operations for the Barn Building was a key element to the overall site planning. Renovations to the Barn Building included critical weatherization to seal the envelope using structural insulation panels (SIPs) to allow year-round, efficient energy performance with all-electric systems. Honoring the building’s past, the original structure and frame, including the beams, rafters and flooring, were preserved and meticulously restored, and were reused in the new building.
Originally an unconditioned wood structure that sat on cement pilings directly above the ground, similar to residential deck construction, the renovation encompassed significant improvements to rehabilitate and re-purpose this former derelict site with innovative green design, including a completely new foundation with a frost wall and a gravel layer to allow for water flow in the case of flooding, all extensively insulated; exterior walls and roof were removed, and replaced with structural insulation panels; rigorous weatherization to fully seal the thermal enclosure; and the installation of all-electric mechanical and energy systems. Honoring the building’s past, the original structure and frame, including the beams, rafters and flooring, were preserved and meticulously restored, and were reused in the new building. The facility will be powered from clean, renewable energy from onsite solar arrays.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “NYSERDA is proud to have provided support to Red Barn Hudson as investments in downtown economic development and sustainability projects across the state will pay dividends for local communities for generations to come. Projects like Red Barn are identifying solutions that not only preserve New York’s unique cultural heritage but are helping to enhance it with high-performance energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy that will provide a healthier, more enjoyable experience for community members and visitors alike.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Red Barn project is a perfect example of sustainable development that can reinvigorate a community. Hudson’s waterfront is transforming into a destination attracting locals and visitors to its picturesque shores and the Red Barn is a welcome addition to the region.”
Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "Through the Market New York program, I LOVE NY supports capital projects that create new and engaging places that welcome travelers and encourage regional tourism. The transformation of the Red Barn in Hudson offers a new, engaging destination that is easily accessible and complements other local attractions from historic sites to arts institutions, showing yet again why it's so easy to love New York."
South Front Street Holdings LLC’s Ben Fain said, “The project transforms these formerly underused buildings into a vibrant community resource and a year-round destination for our community. We are so excited to rehabilitate this little corner of Hudson, to bring new businesses and opportunities to the waterfront and enliven the waterfront district year-round, and we couldn’t have done it without the generous support from Governor Hochul, NYSERDA and ESD.”
The project received over $1.5 million from NYSERDA through its Carbon Neutral Community Economic Development Program, which provides incentives with focused support for projects located in disadvantaged communities and DRI districts, to reduce emissions and improve quality of life for residents and visitors and prioritizes investments in building modernization projects that result in jobs that provide family-sustaining wages and benefits. Located in a historically underserved community, the Red Barn project includes upgrades to seal the thermal envelope and install energy-efficient, all-electric systems and equipment for heating, cooling, hot water, and ventilation (including for a commercial catering kitchen). The facility will be powered from clean, renewable energy from onsite solar arrays. Additionally, the project was awarded a nearly $421,000 Market New York grant, recommended by the Capital Region Economic Development Council.
The Barn joins other sustainable energy projects underway along Hudson’s waterfront, including Basilica Hudson and Kite’s Nest, expanding and enhancing a ring of innovative green energy projects that together can demonstrate how varied types of organizations - commercial, educational, cultural and community; for profit and not for profit - can employ sustainable energy and thrive. Red Barn Hudson is an important connector among these projects, solidifying this ring of innovative green energy projects and creating a very 21st century green network along the historic waterfront.
CREDC Co-Chairs Ruth Mahoney, Executive Vice President, President of Wealth Management and Regional President at NBT Bank, and Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, University at Albany President, said, “The Red Barn showcases how we are working together to preserve Hudson’s past and invigorate its present and future. This mixed-use project is a reflection of our strategic approach to sustainability and revitalization and will become a vibrant magnet for residents and visitors to this popular Hudson River community.”
State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Red Barn signifies more than just a contribution to Hudson’s waterfront revitalization; it's a catalyst for smart environmental development that exemplifies how stewardship and entrepreneurship can drive sustainable growth, enhance the lives of local families, and boost upstate economic prosperity while prioritizing our green energy and climate goals. I’m proud to support this sustainable redevelopment, and I thank Governor Hochul, NYSERDA, and ESD for their foresight in recognizing the great potential of Red Barn."
Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, “Red Barn Hudson is an exciting new development for Hudson's historic Bridge District, serving as a mixed-use community space right across from the train station, surely attracting residents and visitors alike. As the New York State Assembly’s Energy Chair, I am especially pleased with NYSERDA’s significant investment in this carbon-neutral, all-electric space that will serve as a model for energy-efficient commercial adaptive reuse and revitalization. I congratulate Ben Fain and his team for their persistence in reaching the long-anticipated completion of this project and thank Empire State Development and Governor Kathy Hochul for their support of this project.”
City of Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson said, "The Red Barn is an incredibly exciting addition to our local waterfront offerings. It's thrilling to see fantastic, energy-conscious developments like this come to fruition here in Hudson.”