Hugo Evolves By Listening to Its Residents

Out of all the communities in Washington County, Minnesota, Hugo is one of the most understated. It doesn’t have the riverfront access of Stillwater or the size of Forest Lake. However, the community development professionals and city council have worked hard in recent years to make Hugo a community that residents are proud of – and a town that more people keep moving to.  

“Hugo offers a blend of urban and rural landscape,” says Rachel Juba, Community Development Director for the City of Hugo. “We have created a lot of new public spaces, which is a direct result of what residents have asked for.”

This responsiveness to residents is what makes Hugo a standout community. A few decades ago, there was only one park managed by the city. Today, there are more than 20 parks with ample trails and outdoor amenities for local families.

And Hugo isn’t done yet. It continues to evolve based on what Washington County families need. If you haven’t visited Hugo recently, it’s worth stopping by. 

Hugo Invests Heavily in Housing

The community development team and city leaders have listened to local residents and are building more housing inventory while maintaining and protecting natural resources.

“We’ve always had a strong residential development in Hugo,” says Juba. “But we are seeing developers wanting to build a mixture of single-family detached homes, townhomes, and apartment buildings.”

Recently, there has been a shift toward building multifamily apartment projects and townhomes in the community.

Juba explains that the projects we are seeing proposed reflect the city’s comprehensive plan, which calls for lifecycle housing. This means there is housing for every stage of life, from the first apartments of young professionals, to family homes, to spaces for elderly residents to age in place. No one should feel pushed out of Hugo because they are entering a new stage of their lives. 

Business Retention is Strong in the Community

Another indicator that Hugo meets the needs of its residents is the stable business community. There is limited commercial development at the moment, and most tenant spaces remain full. Business owners are either staying in place or moving within the community to expand their operations.

“Business retention is important here, and we try to invest in our existing businesses so they stay in Hugo and grow,” says Juba.

You can see how much the City of Hugo cares about its local industries by how it treats them during periods of potential disruption. Juba shares the story of meeting with business owners along a stretch of road that was flagged for construction. While she normally doesn’t get involved in infrastructure projects, she wanted to meet with the affected companies and answer any questions about keeping their operations running. This also builds a close relationship between local businesses and the community development team.

“We have a good relationship with our business community,” Juba adds.

Local businesses can connect with the Hugo Economic Development Authority and the Hugo Area Business Association to stay abreast of local developments and growth opportunities. 

There Are Opportunities for Commercial Development 

While many Hugo companies are content to stay where they are, the city is investing in two commercial properties to attract future development. Both commercial pads are located along 159th Street, with one property at the corner of Frenchman Road and Highway 61.

“We do have plenty of land available for commercial development,” says Juba.

Hugo is built near protected wetlands, which are an asset and a limitation to development. The local economic development team has to get creative with what can be built where. As a result, many housing developments come with beautiful wetland overlooks and access to parks and trails.

Hugo has changed a lot in the past 20 years. It has invested heavily in parkland, focused on diverse housing opportunities, and created a tight-knit business community. As the city continues to grow, it will succeed if it maintains these roots and continues to listen to the needs and desires of the people who are proud to call it home.

Learn More About Washington County

Washington County is one of the most desirable communities in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. People seek out its towns and municipalities for quality housing, good schools, and strong business opportunities. Learn more about Washington County and the various cities here. See your future in East Metro MSP, whether you are opening a business or finding a family home.

Want to discuss economic development and business expansion? The Washington County CDA can help. Reach out today, and we can help you take the first steps to relocate here.