Stow Announces Tentative Plans To Acquire Hanson Property

Press release from the City of Stow:

May 28, 2021

By lnahrstedt

Stow Announces Tentative Plans to Acquire Hanson Property

STOW, OH – (May 27, 2021) The City of Stow has reached a tentative agreement with The Hanson Family, a longstanding family in the Stow community, to purchase the 36 acres of land on the corner of Call Road and Young Road.

With other competing offers, the Hanson Family has agreed in principle to sell their property to the City rather than a developer, so that the land may be preserved and maintained as potential open and recreational space.

The Hanson property is comprised of two parcels, both of which will be included in the sale to the City. One parcel is 10.5 acres and currently encompasses the Fox Den Golf Course driving range. The City has been leasing this property from the Hanson Family for 15 years and operating it as the driving range. The second parcel includes the Hanson Family home, the former tree farm, and a small family cemetery.

The purchase of the Hanson Property will be a sound investment for the City, and will benefit the community in many ways. For the golf course, the City will retain and improve the existing driving range, which is an essential portion of the golf course business. It is vitally important to the City to maintain the property as a driving range for the future.

The purchase will also provide an opportunity for the City to create another cemetery. Currently, Stow’s three existing cemeteries have reached near capacity.

Additionally, plenty of acreage will be available for future recreational needs. The property could potentially provide access to resolve connectivity in that area of the city, among other recreational options. “The City is currently poised to undertake a Master Plan of all parks and recreational facilities, so the timing for this acquisition is perfect,” stated Mayor John Pribonic. “The process will include many avenues for community engagement. We encourage residents to seize the opportunity to weigh in on potential uses for this property as the City moves forward with the master plan.”

“The City of Stow is currently in sound financial standing,” stated Finance Director Jim Costello. “This property acquisition will be an investment in a community asset for the city’s future.”

A timeline for the transfer of the property to the City of Stow has not yet been determined.

This press release was produced by the City of Stow. The views expressed here are the author’s own.