| My evaluation of Hudson is very nuanced guided by the walkable pre-WW II fabric of the town. This included Western Reserve Academy to the north, the new urbanist shopping center built around First and Main Green to the west, Ravenna St to the south, and Oviatt St. to the east. There is a lot of great history o this town. Hudson is named after its founder, David Hudson, who settled there from Connecticut in 1799, when it was part of the Connecticut Western Reserve. Western Reserve College and Preparatory School was founded in 1826 and but now exists as only a private high school (the college moved to Cleveland and is now Case Western Reserve). John Brown grew up in Hudson in a very anti slavery town and congregation in the early 1800s creating the seeds of his more radical actions. Historically Hudson was a always a small town. In 1870 there were 868 residents and 1940 1,400. Suburbanization, however, lead to an explosion of residents and the town now has over 20K souls. Hudson is one of the wealthiest enclaves in the Akron metro likely drawn by its quality schools, history, and historic main street. Several attractive historic residential streets also surround Main Street with homes from every decade of the 19th century. In 2004 an attractive new urbanist retail development (1st & main) was built as a nice extension of Main Street, |
URBAN STRENGTHS:
| * Great historic architecture spanning many decades before WWII in the main street, residential streets, and Western Reserve Academy. Quality urban in-fill with a nice new-urbanist district west of the historic main street. * Pretty easy drive to Downtown Akron (only 20 minutes). 45 minute drive to Dwtn Cleveland. * Very high family households around 85%. * Great tree canopy and street tree coverage on the main street. * Grand public square park amenities, a nice trail park extending SE from dwtn, and some quality green spaces at Western Reserve Academy. * Good cultural amenities including lots of bars, restaurants & cafes, several art galleries, a performing arts theater, and several historic homes. * Lots of walkable retail including a nice array of boutiques, clothing stores, a supermarket, bookstore, post office, and library. Several other strip malls just west of the walkable core as well. * Very low crime rates in Hudson. Some years there are no violent crimes. * Several well rated public schools located on the eastern edge of Hudson Dwtn. Western Reserve Academy located on the north edge was well. * Quality sidewalk and ADA infrastructure. Up to date ADA curb ramps are common near Western Reserve, main street and the new urbanism shopping center, but limited in the historic residential areas. |
URBAN WEAKNESSES:
| * Poor public transit access. Although there is some commuter buses to downtown Akron. * Limited Bike infrastructure. * Very high household medium income around $125K but some income diversity here. Also limited racial diversity as central Hudson is around 90% white. * Most for-sale options are expensive ranging between 300K-1 Million. Some more modest product selling in the 200Ks. Rental housing is limited. |
Evaluating our Urban Communities [with a focus on America] 