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Hugo Downtown Framework Plan Final Plan & Design Guidelines Hugo Downtown Planning Framework Incorporated in 1906, Hugo is a rural small town with a family -oriented feel. As Hugo grew, the intersection of Forest Boulevard (now Highway 61) and Frenchman Road (now 145t' Street) became the center of town. With a train depot and an active feed mill, this was the ideal location for local, small businesses. A downtown neighborhood began to grow into a comfortable, rural village. It is this small village familiarity that the residents of Hugo wish to preserve. Aerial Photograph of Hugo in 1974 Minnesota Historical Society The Hugo Downtown Framework Plan and Design Guidelines are intended to provide direction to new development in downtown Hugo and, where needed, to shape plans for redevelopment. The Plan illustrates the type of commercial and residential development, civic and community facilities, and amenities envisioned by the citizens of Hugo. The Plan extends beyond the central commercial business district (CBD) to illustrate the entire downtown commercial area of Hugo, both existing and envisioned in the future. This vision of future development in Hugo encourages commercial growth, while seeking to concentrate that growth, around the downtown area. The Planning Process The Hugo downtown plan and preliminary design guidelines were originally developed in 1998 to address redevelopment of the downtown commercial "Main Street" on Forest Boulevard (Highway 61). But the County Road 8 improvements and rerouting required that the original plan be revisited. The new plan was needed to address the developable area along County Road 8 and to consider the impact of the new County Road 8 and Highway 61 intersection. This planning process began in the fall of 2003 and included workshops with the City Council and downtown business and property owners. A community -wide open house was held in May 2004 to encourage public input on the final plan. In August 2004, the City was awarded an Opportunity Grant from the Livable Communities Demonstration Account to develop design guidelines for the downtown area to assist in implementation of the downtown plan. The process for developing these guidelines has continued through 2005-2006 with significant public participation in the planning process. Page 2 of 23