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Background and Business
<br />Climate
<br />Downtown Hugo
<br />Hugo's business community is historically concentrated in the
<br />downtown district. Some of the City's core services and retail are
<br />still located in this corridor, despite the loss of many restaurant/
<br />entertainment venues. Hugo's downtown contains approximately 40
<br />businesses and 145,000 square feet of commercial space. A variety
<br />of neighborhood convenience and specialty retailers can be found
<br />here, as well as a handful of automotive businesses. Most businesses
<br />are locally and independently owned and there are very few national
<br />chains for franchises. Other community amenities including City Hall,
<br />St. John's Church, New Life Church, and Hugo Elementary School
<br />also contribute to the function and character of this area. The City's
<br />expanding population and economy poise the downtown to develop
<br />with a rich variety of entertainment and commercial services that will
<br />add vibrancy to the community.
<br />Highway 61
<br />A wide range of businesses are located along Highway 61, particularly
<br />north of the downtown area. Many businesses along this road operate
<br />out of metal pole barns on gravel lots with outdoor storage, and the
<br />2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
<br />majority are still using private well and septic systems. Uses along
<br />the corridor include automotive, manufacturing, contractor operations,
<br />landscaping businesses, auto salvage yards, and recycling. As a
<br />whole, these businesses have minimal investments into buildings
<br />or site improvements, and many are likely to be redeveloped when
<br />municipal services are extended to these areas.
<br />Peloquin Industrial Park
<br />This industrial park located at Highway 61 and 152nd Street was
<br />originally developed on gravel streets and with no municipal services.
<br />In 2004, the City constructed paved city streets with drainage
<br />improvements and extended municipal sewer and water to the park.
<br />Since that time, the City has seen substantial new investment in
<br />the industrial park, resulting in the construction of new buildings,
<br />site improvements, and new businesses. Uses generally include
<br />manufacturing, warehousing, and contracting businesses, some
<br />of which are located in metal buildings on gravel lots, and contain
<br />minimal site improvements.
<br />Bald Eagle Industrial Park
<br />The City began developing this industrial park in 1999 with the help
<br />of Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Its location along a rail spur beside
<br />Highway 61, and between 130th and 140th Streets has allowed
<br />the park to become a major success, and the park is now home
<br />to the City's largest concentration of jobs. Construction standards
<br />have resulted in higher quality concrete buildings, and paved and
<br />landscaped sites. The park is home to the City's largest employers,
<br />with uses primarily consist of manufacturing, technical, warehousing
<br />and construction. There is also a pet resort and a mini -storage located
<br />here.
<br />County Road 8 Gateway
<br />In 2006, improvements were completed on to County Road 8,
<br />which resulted in a four -lane divided roadway, including extensive
<br />landscaping, street lighting and decorations. The roadway not only
<br />improves traffic capacity, it establishes an improved entrance to the
<br />City, and new business opportunities. The area near the intersection of
<br />CSAH 8 and Victor Hugo Boulevard has been experiencing significant
<br />retail development over the past two years. This includes a grocery
<br />store, retail shops, several banks, restaurants, medical uses, a gas
<br />station, and a day care. The buildings offer a high level of architectural
<br />design with quality materials, innovative site planning, landscaping,
<br />and attention to detail. In addition to recent improvements of this
<br />county road, demand for retail space at this location is mostly due to
<br />the recent surge in residential development in Hugo and proximity to
<br />Interstate the 35E interchange. The City recognizes this gateway as an
<br />opportunity to thread commercial and residential services through to
<br />HWY 61, and connect with the downtown corridor.
<br />ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS 102
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