FOLLOWING HIS ADVOCACY, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES HISTORIC HUDSON-ATHENS LIGHTHOUSE SELECTED FOR U.S. ARMY CORPS PROTECTION PROGRAM, OPENING UP DESPERATELY NEEDED FUNDING TO HELP SAVE BELOVED LIGHTHOUSE FROM SINKING INTO THE HUDSON RIVER
After months of advocacy, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has selected the historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse for their protection program and identified the Lighthouse as a priority for the Corps opening the desperately needed federal funding to help restore this beloved site.
Schumer explained the historic lighthouse, which opened in 1874 and has served as a crucial navigation aid for commercial and recreational vessels, is on the national “11 Most Endangered Historic Places” list due to stronger waves and currents that are deteriorating wood pilings underneath the foundation, which puts the lighthouse at risk of collapsing into the Hudson River. Now thanks to Schumer’s efforts, the Army Corps will begin work with Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society to fund the engineering and construction work needed to save the lighthouse and stabilize the structure.
“The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse has stood for over 150 years as a powerful symbol of New York’s rich maritime history, and is still used to help guide ships along the Hudson River and beloved by both tourists and the families in Columbia and Greene counties. When community leaders came to me fearing this historic lighthouse could begin sinking into the Hudson River, I said not on my watch! Now just in time for Christmas, I am proud to announce that I have gotten the Army Corps of Engineers leadership to include the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse in its protection program, opening up the critical federal funding needed to save this beloved historic landmark,” said Senator Schumer. “I worked for months calling the leadership at the Army Corps to shine a spotlight on the lighthouse and said we need federal support for this project. After years of uncertainty, we’re finally exiting the storm and the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society can chart a path forward. It is the Christmas gift so many have been looking for and I am proud to deliver it. I thank Brigadier General Lloyd, Colonel Young, and his team at the Corps for their work with us, and will continue to advocate to see this Lighthouse shine brightly for years to come.”
Securing the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse into this program was a months-long effort by Schumer working behind the scenes to elevate the story of the lighthouse with the feds. Schumer personally called Assistant Secretary of Army Civil Works Michael Connor to advocate for the Army Corps to prioritize this project. Following his advocacy, the Army Corps allocated $50,000 for a feasibility study to assess appropriate next steps to restore the lighthouse’s base, which will open up continued federal investment for the restoration project.
Following Schumer’s request, Army Corps leadership last week approved the feasibility study, greenlighting the project to move into its next phase of design and construction work through the USACE’s Continued Authorities Program (CAP) Section 14. Schumer pledged to continue pushing the Army Corps to prioritize preserving this beloved lighthouse for the Hudson Valley and Capital Region.
Schumer said the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is not just a physical structure, but a powerful symbol of the region’s identity and cultural heritage in Columbia and Greene Counties, and critical to the local tourism economy. For more than a century and a half, it has stood as a beacon of the Hudson Valley’s spirit and resilience, connecting generations of local residents to the history of their community and the river that has shaped it. The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse still serves as a navigational aid for ships along the Hudson River and for over a century was essential for the commerce that fueled the growth of America. Schumer said preserving the lighthouse is critical not only as a historic and cultural landmark, but a unifying symbol for the whole region.
"We are deeply grateful to Senator Schumer for his unwavering support and dedication to preserving the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, a cherished symbol of our community and the entire Hudson River region. Thanks to his proactive advocacy, the Army Corps' approval of the feasibility study is an essential and monumental achievement to secure the funding to stabilize, restore, and preserve this historic landmark and priceless community and state asset. The Lighthouse has stood as a beacon of safety but also of community identity for over 150 years, and with this federal investment, we will ensure that it will continue to shine for generations to come. We look forward to working closely with the US Army Corps of Engineers and all our partners to bring this vision to life. Thank you, Senator Schumer," said Kristin Gamble, President of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society.
““In the summer of 2022, I was honored to welcome Senator Schumer to the Athens Riverfront Park on his annual tour of every county in New York. To see the seeds planted that day come to fruition is thrilling to say the least. With the lighthouse as a backdrop, we discussed Hudson River history, and the conversation inevitably turned to the dire need for funding to assist in the preservation of our beloved landmark. When I connected Senator Schumer to HALPS I wasn’t certain what would come of it. But I am incredibly grateful that we met that day and that the senator has worked so hard since then to bring us to where we are today. I’m optimistic for the future of the lighthouse, which not only serves as a point of community pride but draws visitors from near and far to experience a slice of history in our wonderful little village,” said Amy Serrago, Mayor of Athens.
“The US Army Corps of Engineers New York District is excited to announce that the Federal Interest Determination for the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse project was approved by our North Atlantic Division last week and we are now authorized to prepare a more detailed study to finalize the engineering and environmental analyses that are necessary to proceed into the design and construction phase. We look forward to working with the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society, the municipalities, and other interested stakeholders in advancing a project that will protect this critical cultural and historic resource for generations to come,” said USACE NY District Commander Colonel Young.
Today’s visit to Greene County marks the completion of Schumer’s 26th annual tour of all 62 New York counties. During his first Senate election in 1998, Schumer pledged to visit every single New York County every year. Schumer is the first New York public official to start a tour of every county in the state and has continued it throughout his tenure in the Senate. Schumer explained that this tour allows him to meet New Yorkers in every corner of the state and determine where federal investments are needed. For example, in 2022 Schumer met with leadership in Greene County which is how he first met the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society team and learned about their push to restore the historic lighthouse. Since then, Schumer has been a lead supporter of delivering critical federal funding to boost the project.
“This represents the beauty of my 62 county tour. I first met the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society team when visiting Greene County in 2022, and they put this project on my radar. This is exactly why I still do the tour even after all these years. I always learn something. By meeting New Yorkers in every corner of the state every year, I get to hear about what I can do to deliver critical federal support for local communities. Christmas came early this year for Columbia and Greene County and I am proud to help secure this major step forward in saving this beloved lighthouse,” added Schumer.
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