Hudson advances '996 Hines Hill' site toward JobsOhio authentication; staff proposes 'Hudson Innovation Park' branding

Economic development staff updated council Sept. 9 on steps toward certifying the city‑owned 996 Hines Hill Road site for JobsOhio/TeamNEO ('site authentication'), a designation that markets ready sites to prospective employers and developers.

Katie (economic development staff) said the city completed a geotechnical study that supports moderately loaded commercial/industrial construction, obtained endangered‑species and cultural‑resource letters that do not preclude development, and performed site cleanup and maintenance. The city is working with the Army Corps of Engineers on a jurisdictional determination for wetlands and is studying existing mineral rights.

Staff proposed draft protective covenants—which would record use restrictions tighter than base zoning for the authenticated acreage—and recommended a legal lot split that reserves parts of the tract in conservation easement while making roughly 30 contiguous developable acres available to market. Katie said staff recommends the marketing name Hudson Innovation Park and circulated three logo options for council feedback.

Council and staff discussed the municipal salt barn’s relocation and capital cost (a 2026 budget placeholder of $750,000 was cited), options for relocating municipal functions into portions of the parcel not intended for sale, and how the site’s grade, wetlands and conservation easements shaped the recommended lot pattern. Staff said the authentication application to the state is due in November.

Provenance: Update and discussion recorded from 02:39:50 to 03:05:30 of the workshop (Katie’s presentation and council questions).