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- Issue 2 - Summer 2022
Hudson City Newsletter - Summer 2022
2022 Issue 2: Summer
Did you know?
Hudson was previously named Willow River and Buena Vista.
The first mayor of Hudson, Almon Day Gray, petitioned to change the name to “Hudson” in 1852 because the bluffs along the St. Croix reminded him of the Hudson River in his native New York.
In this issue:
We're Going Digital!
The Hudson City Newsletter will be moving to a mainly electronic version, with limited printed copies available at City Hall, the Hudson Library, and several local businesses.
If you’d like to sign up to receive the newsletter digitally, you can do so on the Notify Me page, and sign up for other alerts as well!
A Note from the Mayor
Hudson's Mobile App
Hudson Mobile is the official mobile app for the City of Hudson, Wisconsin. The app provides a connection between the City and its citizens and visitors. Enjoy convenient access to news, meeting schedules and agendas, payments, city alerts, notifications, and more.
Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, you’ll enjoy convenient access to all the information you need to live, work, and play in Hudson.
You can download the app on Android or Apple.
Construction and Detour Reminders
Summer is upon us, and that means more construction will be popping up around the city. The Hudson Police Department has some reminders for drivers to be mindful of current and upcoming projects.
Carmichael Construction Projects
With recent road construction at Carmichael and Hillcrest, and the temporary stop sign on Coulee Road and 17th Street to accommodate the Carmichael bridge repairs, we’d like to remind drivers to be mindful of changing conditions in construction and subsequent road signs.
A road closed sign means the road is closed. Don’t move barricades or drive on sidewalks to go around the sign. Obey all posted signs, including speed limits, road closure barricades, and other work zone signage.
There are and will be several traffic changes, signal changes, and stop sign changes related to the construction. Please, drive like your life depends on it.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the construction projects, please contact Dean Chamberlain, City Engineer, at dchamberlain@hudsonwi.gov or 715-716-5729.
Library Storm Repairs Underway
It’s been a long road we’ve all traveled since the September storm, but repairs began in earnest in the Children’s area on May 17th. Things proceeded so quickly and efficiently, we’re still a little bit stunned but incredibly excited.
Books were boxed, shelves were moved and the damaged carpet pulled up. By May 25th the shelves and books were back, we had new carpet, the Children’s area reopened and repairs had begun on the adult side. Wow!
We appreciate all the volunteers who have been coming to help us put everything back where it belongs. There’s a constant hum of activity between the construction company and all our staff and community helpers.
With the repairs, there’s always a degree of uncertainty about what parts of the library may be accessible. The construction team is working with library staff to minimize disruption to patrons, but there will be occasional closures and/or restricted access to parts of the building. The adult section as well as the meeting rooms, for example, will likely be inaccessible throughout June while carpet is being replaced. The construction team will give staff as much notice as possible.
A selection of books has been moved to the lobby for browsing and checkouts and we encourage adult and young adult patrons to order selections online and schedule curbside pickups. For the most up-to-date information, you can check our website at hudsonpubliclibrary.org, our Facebook page, or call us at 715.386.3101.
Programs for upcoming months are being held at a variety of locations: in the library building, outside at community parks, and at some offsite locations. Locations, times, and dates are noted on the website calendar, the library’s paper calendar, and on Facebook.
Before coming to programs, please call, check the website or visit Facebook to see if programs have been moved or canceled due to construction or, if it’s an outdoor event, due to weather.
There’s a lot happening at the library this summer and we hope you can join us for a program or visit us and check out our progress.
Our hours are:
Monday - Thursday 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
See you at the library!
Public Utility Updates and Lawn Watering Tips
Utility bill payment in-person drop-off location is now located at the Hudson Public Utilities Service Center, 1201 Livingstone Rd. Hudson, WI. 54016 Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. A dropbox is available west of the Service Center for payments.
Water-Efficient Lawn Watering Practices
Summer lawn watering creates large demands on local water utilities. Water supply treatment and storage facilities are often built two, three, and even four times larger to supply additional demands created by lawn watering.
This extra capacity is not used for most of the year and adds significant costs to the design, construction, and operation of a water system. Water customers and communities can save money by using water more efficiently. These water-efficient lawn watering practices can help maintain a beautiful yard and conserve valuable water supplies.
General Information
Adjust sprinklers to water only grass areas and not impervious surfaces - streets, driveways, and walkways.
Mow grass to a height of 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Taller grass shades the roots and soil surface, which helps reduce the amount of water that is lost to evaporation. Use sprinklers that spray low large drops vs. high fine ones.
Use handheld soakers for small trees, shrubs, and plants. Use shut-off nozzles on hoses and repair leaky hoses and fittings.
When to Water
About one inch of water per week (including precipitation) is adequate for maintaining a healthy lawn. Use a can or rain gauge to help determine the amount of water applied by the sprinkling system and supplied by rainfall. Do not use a fixed schedule for lawn watering. Apply water only when it is needed. If you leave footprints when you walk on the lawn, it may be time to water.
Using a spade or gardening tool to check soil conditions 2 to 6 inches below the surface can provide information on soil moisture and the need to water. A good soaking once or twice a week and allowing drying between watering is better than watering every day.
Watering Restrictions
Here are a few recommendations in the event lawn watering restrictions are needed due to mechanical problems or drought conditions:
Water less frequently and gradually to reduce the amount of water. This will help reduce stress and condition the turf if a total ban on lawn watering becomes necessary. Reduce the amount of foot traffic allowed on the lawn as much as possible. Allow the grass to grow longer to reduce moisture loss from the soil.
Best Times for Lawn Watering
Water during the cool part of the day to minimize water lost to evaporation. Early morning hours (4 am to 8 am) are the best, and the peak water consumption hours (4 pm to 9 pm) should be avoided.
Avoid watering during midday when it is hot and sunny to prevent turf scalding. Night watering is not recommended. The lawn stays wet for a long time, which can promote diseases and hurt your lawn’s health.
Automatic Lawn Watering Systems
An automatic timer is part of most buried sprinkler systems but can be added to any sprinkler system for a very low cost. Automatic timers make it easy to set sprinkling systems to apply specified amounts of water during the best times of the day.
Set systems to turn on between 4 am and 8 am. Set the system to turn on for three 10-minute sessions with each session 2 hours apart to improve water infiltration and reduce runoff. Equip the system with moisture sensors so the system does not turn on when it is raining.
Set the automatic timer to water every 3 or 4 days adjusting the time and frequency, as needed, to accommodate changes in seasonal water demand.
Photo Credit: Bryan Leonard
Community Development
Boat Launch Reconstruction Underway
The City of Hudson has begun reconstruction of the Lakefront Park Boat Launch which will raise the ramp to allow for continued access during high water, as well as expand the lot to the north to incorporate more parking. The project is tentatively scheduled to be completed by July 1st if the river cooperates.
Hudson Tree Treks
Looking to add some excitement to your evening walks? Why not take a tree trek? Did you know Hudson has 5 different tree treks scattered throughout the city that highlight different varieties of trees? The locations include Vine St., Lakefront Park, the Historical District, Rivercrest Elementary, and the EP Rock Neighborhood.
3rd St. Hill Street Reconstruction
The City continues to move forward on the 3rd St. Hill street reconstruction project near the old fire hall. As you travel this street that connects the downtown district to Laurel Avenue you will quickly notice how it has begun to sag down the bluff. The project includes reconstructing the retaining wall and replacing the adjacent roadway. The estimated timeline for construction is late summer/early fall. The City received an LRIP grant from the State of Wisconsin in the amount of $493,500 for this project. The estimated total project cost is $1.1 million.
Carmichael Bridge Update
Building Inspection - Quarter 1 Statistics
New Construction and Values
Hudson Physicians being built at the intersection of Carmichael Rd and Hillcrest Drive (Across from the Holiday Inn)- $29,400,000
A new Kwik Trip at the corner of Carmichael Rd and Soffia Lane (Across from Faith Community Church) - $2,500,000
St. Croix County Government Center - New Storage Building - $3,688,000
Commercial / Industrial Additions & Alterations
Winnesota Addition at 3010 Enloe Street - $4,300,000
Mid Current Church at 200 1st Street across the street from Lakefront Park boat launch - $800,000
Protein House at 1047 Pearson Drive - $320,000
Tenant improvements for Hudson Physicians including: Specialty Care, Urgent Care, Administration Offices - $2,871,000
Misc Permits
3 razing permits to remove the buildings near 1616 Crest View Dr including: Pizza Hut, Hudson House, etc. to make way for future development
70+ Permits for residential new construction, alterations, garages, pools, etc.
Residential - Rhett Borner 715-716-5733 | rborner@hudsonwi.gov
Commercial - David Gray 715-716-5755 | dgray@hudsonwi.gov
Welcome to District 3 Alderperson, Joy Knudson
Joy Knudson has been a Hudson resident for over 30 years. She has been a small business owner and local veterinarian.
Always active in the community, Joy has served on the YMCA Board of Directors, and assisted with fundraising efforts at the YMCA, Phipps Center for the Arts, and the United Way campaign.
She has been active in church ministry, often in a leadership role. Having raised two children in Hudson, Joy has volunteered in our local schools, as well as chairing the HHS senior graduation party.
Welcome to District 4 Alderperson, Mike Kennedy
Mike was born and raised in Saint Paul, MN. He graduated from St John’s University in 1990 with a BS in Economics and began work in the apparel industry where he still works today as a manufacturer’s rep.
Mike first experienced Hudson back in the 1990s. He would spend summer weekends here on his boat and immediately fell in love with the city. Mike moved into Red Cedar Canyon back in 2001 and considers it one of the best decisions in his life.
Mike lives in Hudson with his wife Sarah. His eldest son, Charlie, is in the Navy in Norfolk, Virginia. His son Sam is a senior at UW-Stout, and his stepson, Chase, is a sophomore at Hudson High School.
Mike is a former Director at Large for the St. Croix River Association, and is the current Vice President of the St. Croix Marina Board, and a member of the Hudson Park Board.
Mike’s passions are boating on the St. Croix, biking, exploring all of Hudson’s 20+ parks with his Red Lab Fitz, and meeting old and new friends at all the great bars and restaurants in Hudson!
Temporary Signage Requirements & Limitations
As city residents and businesses approach the spring season, the City would like to remind everyone about temporary signage requirements and limitations.
Yard Sale/Garage Sale Signage
These signs on residential properties are limited to 6 square feet in area and must be removed within 24 hours after the completion of the event. Off-premises directional signs for garage/yard sales are limited to 4 square feet in area. Directional signs may be placed only on private property with property owner’s permission (not right up to the roadway or in street medians) and may be placed NO SOONER than 48 hours prior to the event and must be removed within 4 hours after the sale has ended.
Temporary Business Signage
On-premises temporary event signage for businesses in commercial zones all require sign permit approvals through the city and have differing requirements depending on what district a property is in.
For the B-3 Central Business District in downtown, temporary signs are limited to 24 sq. ft. in area and may only be placed for up to 10 consecutive days on the business premises and not within any public street right of ways. Signs must be removed within 24 hours of the completion of the event. Please note that each business is limited to six on-premises special event permits per lot/premises per year.
For the B-2 General Business District, temporary signs are limited to 40 sq. ft. in area and may only be placed for up to 10 consecutive days on the business premises and not within any public street right of ways. Afterward, signs must be removed within 24 hours of the completion of the event. Similarly with the B-3 District, each business is limited to six on-premises special event permits per lot/premises per year.
All off-premises noncommercial temporary event signage is not to be placed sooner than 48 hours prior to this type of event and must be removed within 4 hours after the event ends. This sign type is not to exceed 4 sq. ft. in area and cannot be placed in any public right-of-way and requires private property owner’s permission for placement. These signs must include address, date(s), and hours of the temporary noncommercial event.
Small Business Feature: Hair By Simone Marie
Hair by Simone Marie is a small, 2-chair salon in the heart of Hudson. You can find the salon between La Rue Marche and Kenzington. Simone loves making people feel beautiful doing colors and cuts of all styles. You can also go to Simone for men’s cutting.
Simone prides herself on using high-quality products for her clients. She feels it’s important to use clean ingredients free of parabens and sulfates. She uses Maria Nila for styling and shampoo/ conditioner and davines for color.
You’re in good hands when you visit Hair by Simone Marie - she was Aveda-trained for almost 20 years.
One of Simone’s favorite things about running a business in Hudson is getting to enjoy the other restaurants and shops nearby.
Her favorite, must-have products include Maria Nila Cream heat spray that protects against heat damage, and the Maria Nila True Soft Argan Oil, which gives moisture and shine to dull hair, and helps de-frizz. Both of the products are bestsellers in her salon.
Book your free consult or hair appointment:
Visit hairbysimonemarie.com to book your free consultation or hair appointment with Simone!
Want Your Business Featured?
Photo Credit: Nick Warnken
Instagram: sushi_lover33
Visit the Alerts Page for the latest news alerts and requests for submission. Our next request period will come before the fall newsletter. Check in early August!
Upcoming Events
Photo Credit: Bryan Leonard
Farmer’s Market - Octagon House Museum
When: Every Tuesday from June 7 through September 2, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Octagon House Museum; 1004 3rd St.
Details: Join the Octagon House Museum & Sustain Hudson every for a farmer’s market located in Downtown Hudson.
Live Music at Hop & Barrel
When: Friday nights, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Hop & Barrel; 310 2nd Street
Details: Check out their Facebook page for more information on live music nights.
Hudson Booster Days
When: Thursday, June 30 through Monday, July 4
Where: Lakefront Park; First Street
Details: Booster Days is the annual 4th of July Celebration held in Lakefront Park, near
historic downtown Hudson, along the scenic St. Croix River. Visit hudsonboosters.org for more information and a detailed schedule.
Fireworks at Lakefront Park
When: Sunday, July 3, 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. (dusk)
Where: Lakefront Park
Details: Celebrate the 4th of July by checking out the fireworks at Lakefront Park, put on by
Hudson Boosters over the St. Croix River.
Concerts in the Park
When: Thursday evenings through August, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Lakefront Park, 505 First Street
Details: Come to the Lakefront Park Bandshell weekly on Thursday evenings from June - August to experience live music, surrounded by beautiful St. Croix river views. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the shows!
St. Croix RiverFest 2022
When: July 19 through July 23
Where: View the event page for full list of locations
Details: The annual RiverFest celebration offers a wide range of activities designed to encourage people of all ages to enjoy the Lower St. Croix River and all that it provides. For the most up-to-date schedule, visit stcroixriverfest.org/events
North Hudson Pepper Festival 2022
When: August 19 through August 21
Where: Pepper Fest Park located behind North Hudson Village Hall; 7th Street North
Details: Pepper Fest is a three-day celebration that honors the North Hudson, Wisconsin community’s Italian heritage with homemade Italian food, a beer garden, live entertainment,
contests, rides, a parade, a queen coronation, and more!
Send Us Your Snaps!
Photo Credit: Bryan Leonard
If you have an eye for the city, we want to add your photography to our newsletter! We’re seeking submissions for future issues.
If you want to share your photos of Hudson with us (all seasons needed), please send them with any photo credit you’d like to see, including a URL, to newsletter@hudsonwi.gov.
We’ll need some shots of the beautiful fall colors for our next issue, like the one you see here, but share anything that you think shows Hudson at its best!
How do I...reserve a park?
Hudson has many wonderful parks for residents and visitors to enjoy, and what better time to pay a visit than in the summer?
If you have a bigger party and you’re looking to reserve a park space, you can do so by contacting Deb Andrews at 715-386-4774, ext. 113 or emailing her at dandrews@hudsonwi.gov.
You can also see a list of parks that have already been reserved via the online calendar.
This can be accessed by going to the city website and navigating to Government > City Calendar, and selecting to view the Park Reservations calendar in the filters.
If you’re seeking a park that has specific features, such as a pavilion, basketball courts, a bandshell, a playground, or a grill, you can find the right fit by visiting the facilities page.
You may be surprised to find out that there are 19 different park facilities that you can reserve in Hudson, all with their own features and benefits!
You can find tennis courts at Anderson Park!
Pavilions are available and can be reserved at Lakefront Park Beach and Prospect Park.
For grills, visit Lakefront Park - South Picnic Point or Prospect Park. South Picnic Point and the Bandshell are also both ADA accessible!
We also have playgrounds a-plenty! You can access them at Anderson, Lakefront, Grandview Community, Prospect, Weitkamp, and Williams Park, as well as Burton Field.
Check out the “How Do I...?” section on our website for more information on how to do certain things in the city.