With the selection of Testa Companies as the developer for Downtown Phase II, the City is moving forward with final design and implementation of a new development for the 16 acres west of First and Main.
The Downtown Phase II Expansion evolved 10 years ago from a group of engaged citizens who created a vision for First and Main, a mixed-use public-private partnership that seamlessly blended historic Main Street shops with a new development with shopping, dining, retail stores and housing. A Phase II was always in mind that would revitalize the underdeveloped portion west of First and Main into quality office space and varied housing stock for young professionals and empty nesters. Recently, the Council-appointed Ad-Hoc Downtown Redevelopment Committee was tasked with reviewing, analyzing and providing recommendations to City Council regarding potential uses, options and strategies for the Phase II development.
Critical to this development process is public engagement, which will help form the final design for the project. On Wednesday, October 5, Testa Companies and their partners Welty Co., and MKSK, a planning and design firm, met with Hudson officials and the City’s Downtown Roundtable to provide an overview of the types of citizen engagement tools that could be used for this project.
Some of the potential tools discussed included creating an Advisory Committee comprised of key individuals who will help the development team understand the City’s needs and issues. Other tools involve stakeholder interviews, public meetings, website information, social media and other interactive ways to gather input from citizens.
The development team understands the importance of respecting the history of the City of Hudson and the need to blend the new development with the look and feel of Main Street and the First and Main Phase I development.
Currently, the City is working to finalize a developer agreement with Testa and will begin finalizing plans for social engagement in the very near future. We welcome everyone’s input as we create the final design for this project. To become involved, sign up for our Downtown Phase II notifications, check our website for project information and maps, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest development news.
