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Council approves cultural study to advance 996 Hines Hill Road for JobsOhio site authentication
Summary
Hudson City Council voted 7-0 to authorize a $25,000 cultural-resources study as part of due diligence for the city's submission of 996 Hines Hill Road for JobsOhio site authentication; councilors and staff stressed the study does not obligate a sale and noted a likely separate $600,000 cost to relocate the city's salt barn if the site were sold.
Hudson City Council on April 8 approved a professional-services contract to fund a cultural resources study for 996 Hines Hill Road, a step in the city's effort to have the property accepted into JobsOhio's site authentication program. The measure (item 25-60) passed by a 7-0 roll call vote.
Council members said the study is one part of a broader due-diligence package intended to make the site 'shovel ready' for potential economic development. The cultural study under consideration was budgeted at about $25,000; staff said other near-term due-diligence expenses on the site total roughly $45,000 and that relocation of the city's salt barn and associated site prep would likely be about $600,000, a cost that would apply whether or not the JobsOhio process is pursued.
The JobsOhio authentication process, staff told council, helps market properties to site selectors and regional economic partners and gives a municipal site a 'shovel-ready' designation on JobsOhio's platform. Staff emphasized that completing the studies does not commit the city to sell the property.
Katie, a city staff presenter, said, 'The cultural resources study was the only one that was over the threshold requiring council approval.' She added during discussion that the salt-barn relocation 'would be necessary if we sold this property for development, even if we didn't pursue authentication, at some point' we would need to relocate our salt barn and do that, assuming we were giving up the site.'
Councilor Van Wyck, who asked for the item to be pulled from consent to get more detail, summarized staff's cost estimates and the JobsOhio timeline: 'But the Salt Barn relocation '' new site prep, about $600,000 of the cost is agnostic of whether this is JobsOhio or not.'
Staff described how JobsOhio and its regional partner, Team NEO, help prioritize authenticated sites for state and national site selectors and provide marketing materials for successful candidates. Council members noted the authentication studies have a useful shelf life (staff said about 10 years) and that participating in the program would not legally bind the city to accept a JobsOhio lead or to sell the parcel.
The council motion to pass the item was moved by Councilor Berg and seconded by Councilor Banwag. The roll call vote was 7 in favor, 0 opposed. The contract to perform the cultural-resources work will be executed by the city manager consistent with the scope described in the staff packet.
Council directed staff to continue the remaining due diligence items on a project timeline and to return with additional cost and funding details as the next steps. The council discussion referenced broader site-preparation items, including surveying, lot splits and conservation-easement work that also are part of the JobsOhio submission process.
