Amanda Purcell is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Hudson Common Council October 16, authorized the sale of a vacant lot to the Hudson Islamic Center for just under $26,000. The city approved the sale of the [point] 08 acre parcel, located at 255-257 Columbia Street for the construction of a parking lot for the new $1.5 million Islamic center slated to be built at the corner of Columbia and Third streets in the city's 2nd Ward. The measure was approved on a unanimous vote. Third Ward Alderman Shershah Mizan and 2nd Ward Alderman Dewan Sarowar attend services at the Islamic center, but are not members of its board or part of the center’s leadership, Sarowar said. Their votes swayed the three-fourths majority and allowed the resolution to pass. Both Mizan and Sarowar consulted with city attorney, Andy Howard, before casting their votes, Mizan said. “He [Howard] told me there is no conflict of interest and we are not elected officers of the Islamic Center,” Mizan said. The price set for the property was based on fair market value. The lot was assessed at $12,000 this year, according to Columbia County property records. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.