Hudson Opera House
Supporters of the Hudson Opera House's restoration gather in the opera house's performance hall before the building's restoration was officially announced. The performance hall is to be restored, an elevator is to be installed, and the masonry, windows and doors will be restored, among other improvements.
HUDSON — Supporters of the Hudson Opera House announced Monday they have secured the majority of their funding and are beginning renovations on the historic building.
Built in 1855 on Warren Street as Hudson's City Hall, the opera house was abandoned in 1962. Sections of the opera house were reopened in the 1990s, but the performance hall remained in disrepair until recently.
Supporters said at a press conference Monday morning a renovated opera house will economically benefit the city.
"I never felt arts got enough [credit] for economic development," said Assemblywoman Did Barrett, D-106.
Barrett, whose district includes Hudson, said she is proud to be part of the project.
"People in a season like this have been beating up on government, beating up on the state — but the state has been here for this project," she said.
Hudson Opera House co-Director Tambra Dillion said funding for the restoration came from a series of grants, including millions in grants from Empire State Development, the state's chief economic development agency.
Funding also came from the opera house's Board of Directors, a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture secured by U.S. Sen. Kristen Gillibrand and Kinderhook Bank, as well as other state agencies, according to the Hudson Opera House.
Dillion said the funding was stocked up for a large restoration project, instead of doing the project piecemeal as funding became available.
"The decision was made to consolidate the project, [to] do it in one go," Dillion said.
"It's been a longtime coming," she added.
The opera house is trying to raise an additional $1.5 million on top of the $7 million already raised.
Hudson Opera House Sage General Manager Marie Carter said the $1.5 million would be for soft goods, such as chairs and additional lighting.
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