Abby Hoover is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Hudson Historic Preservation Commission last week conducted a second public hearing on the pending proposal to designate the Old Shiloh Baptist Church, on Columbia Street in the city's Second Ward, as historically significant. The designation is being sought because the building is of historic and cultural significance to Hudson's African-American community. The building owner, Victoria Milne, formally addressed the commission and the community for the first time at the hearing, pleading hardship if the designation is approved. She said if that happens, she will sell the building. “This is already a very expensive building since it has not been maintained for years,” Milne said. “I realize that members of the committee will say that preservation does not add expense, but every preservation committee in the country says that and it’s not true.” The commission attorney advised Milne that she could not plead hardship until after the designation was approved. “This piece of property, while it’s no longer operated by Shiloh, does maintain a vibrant history,” the Rev. Ronald Grant of Shiloh Baptist Church said. “In the African-American community, we have nothing that would maintain such a status as this particular building.” Milne said she has spoken to the applicant, the Rev. Edward Cross, pastor of the former parish, and as a compromise recommended a permanent plaque be installed in front of the building to tell its history. Cross, the formal applicant, said he would consider withdrawing his application if there was a guarantee that he and Milne could work together. Cross said that while he does not want Milne to go broke, “the need is for the place to be recognized as a historical site,” he said. The hearing was extended for written comments for 10 days. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.