HUDSON – The underwater foundation of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is in need of major repairs and the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society is hopeful that the area’s state and federal lawmakers who have committed to work collaboratively to secure $7.5 million to repair and restore the lighthouse in the middle of the Hudson River come through with the funding.
The organization said if work does not start soon to repair the foundation, engineers forecast that within five years, the building will likely begin to tilt towards collapse.
The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is listed on the national and state registries of historic places, is a state-chartered museum, and is listed as one of Seven to Save by the Preservation League of New York.
The organization said the lighthouse “is in trouble.” Its huge, above water limestone blocks do not go down into the riverbed; the lighthouse is held up by 200 underwater wooden pilings pounded 50 feet into the riverbed and protected by packed mud and large boulders. The foundation was “an 1874 engineering marvel,” according to the lighthouse group.
The damage also threatens the main building. A $500,000 state grant is repairing and protecting the exterior infrastructure.
The preservation organization has raised over $200,000 from the community and received grants from the US Lighthouse Society, local banks and other businesses.
Once the foundation work has been completed, a final phase of work will repair and restore the building’s interior.
