The City Manager’s Desk

As we step into 2025, I am filled with enthusiasm for the incredible opportunities ahead for our city, its residents and its businesses. Thanks to our fiscally responsible budgeting and planning, we closed 2024 in a strong financial position. Over the next five years, Hudson City Council is committed to advancing bold initiatives that will drive our community forward while honoring our historical roots and preserving Hudson’s unique charm.

Hudson continues to thrive, consistently earning recognition as one of the best cities in Ohio for safety, schools, housing and quality of life. In 2024, we completed the comprehensive plan, and Hudson City Council is now implementing Fiber to the Home and researching a recreation center and senior center, as well as revisiting plans for downtown Hudson and the former YDC property on Hines Hill Road. This summer, a new Ellsworth Meadows Clubhouse – funded entirely by revenues from Ellsworth Meadows – will be open. Adaptive “smart” traffic signals will be activated, which will improve traffic flow by responding to real-time conditions without adding road lanes or taking away the historical charm of Hudson.

Last year, the Hudson Fire Department celebrated its 175th anniversary. To ensure we continue to meet the needs of our community, council has hired a consultant to review the staffing and facility requirements for both fire and EMS services.

In addition, the charter review commission has been appointed by Hudson City Council to review the city charter and recommend updates. Any proposed changes will be presented to voters on the November General Election ballot.

Addressing stormwater management remains a top priority. We are planning new projects to help mitigate the flooding the city experienced on Aug. 8 of last year in the northeast portion of Hudson. The 2,000-year flood showed that the measures implemented after the 2003 flood proved effective, and we are now focused on addressing challenges in the northern parts of the city.We started off the decade with a global pandemic, and we hope to finish the decade with many improvements to the city. With so much progress underway and exciting opportunities on the horizon, I am optimistic about 2025 and beyond. Together, we will continue to make Hudson an even better place to live, work and thrive!