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Neighbors work together for future / Mayors of Hudson, Boston Heights sign memorandum of understanding
November 16, 2008
by Laura Freeman
Reporter
Hudson -- Mayor William Currin and Boston Heights Mayor Bill Goncy signed a memorandum of understanding Nov. 12 designed to increase the sharing of resources between the communities to enhance economic development along the cities' borders.
The land in question is bordered by state Route 8 to the west, Interstate 80 to the north, state Route 303 to the south and Hudson's district 6 to the east.
Hudson has commercially-zoned land with utility lines along its western border in the area, and Boston Heights has commercially-zoned land in need of water and sewer service along Route 8, with direct access from Boston Mills and Chittenden roads.
Goncy said growth will occur along state Route 8 after construction on the road is completed in 2010, allowing better access to the Turnpike and eliminating traffic signals along Route 8 through the area.
"We need to move ahead and support both communities," Goncy said. "The agreement promotes a merging of thoughts to protect the land and economically help each other."
Currin said the memorandum of understanding was the first step toward collaboration between Hudson and Boston Heights for "smart economic growth" to benefit each community.
The memorandum of understanding is non-binding, but it formally encourages discussions of mutual interest, Currin said.
Hudson and Boston Heights would remain independent political entities, but both communities would benefit from increased commercial businesses and resulting taxes, according to the proposal.
All the land in the agreement is in the Hudson City School District.
Some of the cooperative action could include protecting the Brandywine Creek and Mud Brook watersheds, linking the Hudson Crossing business park through to Chittenden Road, agreements with Cleveland and Akron water and sewer, and a future Joint Economic Development District.
Goncy said there are several parcels in south Boston Heights zoned for light industry and land in north Boston Heights zoned for retail.
Hudson residents Bill Cushwa and Jeff King of Hudson's economic development board introduced the idea for a memorandum of understanding to the two communities.
"We need to be more proactive and figure out how to position ourselves to fully benefit [from Route 8]," said Cushwa, who chaired a city ad hoc committee which looked at zoning in south Hudson last year.
In the past, cities were reactive, and developers initiated projects, Cushwa said. Now cities can prepare areas for development, he added, especially in bad economic times.
"The economy will kick up at some time," Cushwa said. "The work on Route 8 will be done in 2010 and we should be ready to take advantage of it."
E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150
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