Newburgh’s Decline Documented by Russian News Channel

An English-speaking news channel out of Moscow traveled to Newburgh for a segment called "Shattered Dreams: Newburgh, a City in Decline."

RT, the Russian-based news channel, claims that cities all over America have "fallen on hard times", and there's no backup plan in place for the jobless citizens living there. To prove the point, they traveled to Newburgh

Described in the segment as a city that "remains on life support," Newburgh's history as an industrial hub and transportation center are mentioned in stark comparison to it's current state. The report says that Newburgh was once one of the most architecturally significant cities in the country, as evidenced by remaining Victorian-era homes that still stand along the Hudson.

Closed factories and the erection of the Newburgh-Beacon bridge are blamed for the fall of Newburgh. During the 50s many families moved out of the city. Customers bypassed Newburgh as they were able to take the bridge to Dutchess to conduct business, while gangs and the mob moved in.

Standing in front of the Dutch Reformed Church, the reporter says that Newburgh has over 600 abandoned buildings, many of them former architectural gems. The decline of Newburgh's buildings is juxtaposed with the decline in the living situation of its residents. Of the 29,000 people living in Newburgh, the report says over 25% live below the poverty line, while 70% of Newburgh students are said to depend on food stamps.

Newburgh Mayor Judy Kennedy is interviewed in the piece . She says her goal is to get businesses to move in to some of the abandoned factories and buildings. Kennedy says she's working on getting manufacturers from New York to look at property in Newburgh because it is available at a third of the cost.

The full video is posted below courtesy of RT's Youtube Channel: