November 07, 2019 Sponsored Content: » Poughkeepsie
Hudson River Housing Takes the Reins for Poughkeepsie's Trolley Barn Project
By Hudson River Housing
The Trolley Barn on Main Street has a rich history as a symbolic hub for the City of Poughkeepsie. Constructed in 1873, the building was once home base for the draft horses that pulled the trolleys and later for the trolley cars themselves, after the lines were electrified. And the future of the Barn looks to be just as central to Poughkeepsie life as it once was—though, this time around, as a cultural hub rather than a transportation one.
Beginning in 2017, community development nonprofit Hudson River Housing, in concert with the building’s previous owner Roy Budnik, launched the first phase of a multifaceted renovation to bring the building into the 21st century.
Hudson River Housing formally acquired the building from Budnik last spring and will begin full management of the cultural hub in January 2020. Just a stone’s throw down the road, the award-winning Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory is thriving as a multiuse complex of affordable housing and commercial and cultural space, attesting to the community impact that is possible when Hudson River Housing sets its sights on the revitalization of Poughkeepsie's Main Street corridor.
Related Poughkeepsie's Trolley Barn Chugs Along: The Crown Jewel of a Dedicated Arts Campus
“It’s important to us that this space is owned by the neighborhood,” says Elizabeth Druback-Celaya, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Hudson River Housing. "We’ll be establishing a community committee to guide the full roll-out of programming and events and working hard to make sure that the Trolley Barn is reflective of the amazing diversity of the City of Poughkeepsie.”
For example, Poughkeepsie’s Grupo Folklorico, a Mexican dance and culture organization, is interested in using the space as a rehearsal venue. And, in support of small business, preferred caterers for any events will be members of the Poughkeepsie Open Kitchen, a collective of small food businesses located in the Underwear Factory. Discounts on space rental will be given to nonprofits and City of Poughkeepsie residents.
Between them, Hudson River Housing and the City of Poughkeepsie have secured $1.5 million in grants in total for building renovations, ensuring its impact will be possible for decades to come.
Related Stories
-
Poughkeepsie's Trolley Barn Chugs Along
Jan 23, 2019
Speaking of...
Hudson Valley Events
submit event
Celebration
Jan. 10-31 — A multi-disciplinary arts exhibition that aims to organize, recognize, & celebrate(!) women,...
Hot/Cold: Expressions in Wax
Mondays-Fridays and Saturdays. Continues through Feb. 16 — "Hot/Cold: Expressions in Wax" will celebrate the use of wax in artmaking...
Trending
Chronoween Greatest Hits
Chronogram Conversations: Cannabis Renaissance
Emily Ritz
Chronogram Conversations Glynwood Center
Kathy Ruttenberg's In Dreams Awake
Metaphysical Containers: The Art of Carole Kunstadt
Modernist Opus in Olivebridge
The Photos of Nadia Sablin
Stanley Kubrick's Photos
Unshattered
Chronogram Conversations: Scribner's Lodge
More images of interior and exterior
Nadine Boughton—The Modess Women
The Creative Tenants of Atlas Studios in Newburgh
Birthday Party 2018
Chronogram Conversations 2018
Chronogram on Instagram
Latest in HV Towns
