Hugoís vision for a pedestrian friendly downtown with a unique mixture of housing, office space, retail and public gathering spaces is moving from the drawing board to reality and will gain more steam when a public hearing takes place on Jan. 18.

The downtown plan and the design guidelines are now in place and the city has begun the necessary steps towards implementing a downtown redevelopment project.

One of the key elements is the completion of a downtown market study by Maxfield Research. Economic Development Authority Commissioner Mike Granger said that, ìThe market study is a crucial element to the downtown redevelopment project because it will indicate if there is a market to support the proposed uses.î

Community Development Director Bryan Bear added that, ìthe city was able to obtain the services of Maxfield Research through grant money received by the Metropolitan Council.î

The Hugo EDA has been very involved in guiding the redevelopment process and has recently been meeting with developers interested in implementing the downtown plan.

ìThere is a strong desire from the development community along with local business owners and residents to see the plan implemented in the near future,î said Phil Klein, EDA vice president.

A subcommittee was also formed to establish a tax-increment financing district in the downtown area. TIF is a public financing tool that will help the city provide assistance to developers to cover a number of the costs associated with a redevelopment project such as property acquisition, relocation, demolition and possible environmental remediation.

The public is invited to attend an informational open house to discuss the implementation of the downtown plan 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, in the Oneka Room at Hugo City Hall.

City staff and officials, along with representatives from Maxfield Research, Landform, the cityís planning consultant, and Springsted Inc. the cityís financial advisor, will be there to answer questions from the downtown property owners and the general public.

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