Comments on: The Death of Upstate http://media.ourhudson.org/task-force-themes/land-use/the-death-of-upstate/ A forum on the future of our Valley Wed, 20 Oct 2010 02:01:10 +0000 hourly 1 By: Rip Hayman http://media.ourhudson.org/task-force-themes/land-use/the-death-of-upstate/comment-page-1/#comment-89 Rip Hayman Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:49:10 +0000 http://media.ourhudson.org/?p=2305#comment-89 Mr. Fleischer's analysis of the urban decay matched with suburban sprawl is cogent and vital. This fate is the result of decades of automobile economy which bypasses urban centers for the convenience and cost incentive of outer development, drawing our communities apart. NY State has one great advantage over other regions: our waterway system. The Canal is an important connector to the state, but very much abandoned by commerce. Even more so is the Hudson, the great river that made the state one waterway for centuries. Alas, it is now an empty waterway other than recreational vessels. But go to the many European rivers, the Nile, Yangzi or Amazon and one can see the vitality of river communities and thier upland neighbors brought to the shore to transport and business. The Hudson is the only major river in the world without any transport service along its navigable length. Ten years ago a group of marine and travel professionals prepared a business plan for a renewed and profitable Hudson River Line for daily liner transport from NYC to Troy and 12 ports between. Alas, the proposal was dismissed by NY State officials and naysayed by NY financial circles busy with their own vanishing schemes. The economic letdown after 9/11 shelved the enterprise. I recently returned to my joint venture company in China for the launch of the world's largest river liner - the Victoria Jenna - carrying 450 passenger with full cruise services on the Yangzi River. There the river towns are thriving along the busy waterways drawing communities together. When will NY State have some initiative for this basic river service? When will the restored waters be used for more than fishing and paddling while the highways roar and sprawl spread on and on? Mr. Fleischer’s analysis of the urban decay matched with suburban sprawl is cogent and vital.
This fate is the result of decades of automobile economy which bypasses urban centers for the convenience and cost incentive of outer development, drawing our communities apart.
NY State has one great advantage over other regions: our waterway system.
The Canal is an important connector to the state, but very much abandoned by commerce. Even more so is the Hudson, the great river that made the state one waterway for centuries. Alas, it is now an empty waterway other than recreational vessels. But go to the many European rivers, the Nile, Yangzi or Amazon and one can see the vitality of river communities and thier upland neighbors brought to the shore to transport and business.
The Hudson is the only major river in the world without any transport service along its navigable length.

Ten years ago a group of marine and travel professionals prepared a business plan for a renewed and profitable Hudson River Line for daily liner transport from NYC to Troy and 12 ports between. Alas, the proposal was dismissed by NY State officials and naysayed by NY financial circles busy with their own vanishing schemes.
The economic letdown after 9/11 shelved the enterprise.

I recently returned to my joint venture company in China for the launch of the world’s largest river liner – the Victoria Jenna – carrying 450 passenger with full cruise services on the Yangzi River.
There the river towns are thriving along the busy waterways drawing communities together.

When will NY State have some initiative for this basic river service?
When will the restored waters be used for more than fishing and paddling
while the highways roar and sprawl spread on and on?

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