Nov. 1--CEDAR FALLS -- Hudson calls it the "northern tier." Cedar Falls deems it a logical next step in its southern economic development machine.

Whatever it's called, the expanse of cornfields south of U.S. Highway 20 is destined to give way to concrete and commerce.

Dick Rekers and Bill Davidson own land prime for development on the east and west sides of the Hudson Road/Highway 20 intersection. They have been pushing for annexation into Cedar Falls, believing the larger city with a business development track record just across the highway could better develop the property.

With easy highway access and a short trip to Cedar Falls or Waterloo, the area seems ideal to have either retail or industrial businesses spring up.

"We're so blessed out here with a four-lane right out in front of us and can get into town either way in seven minutes," Davidson said.

While some property owners wanted Cedar Falls to annex the property, Hudson knows the value of that location as well, and wants to find a way to develop it. Hudson has not been inclined to give up that property, and annexation without approval from the city of Hudson would be difficult.

During an August work session, the Hudson City Council expressed strong support for keeping the area within its city limits.

The council indicated its primary focus is on installing infrastructure to serve residents and future economic development.

Mayor Bernie Jensen has spoken of the importance of Hudson developing the northern tier in his re-election campaign.

Hudson annexed the land in the 1970s, during a time when Cedar Falls and Waterloo were in a land grab in the area, gobbling up unincorporated land along the borders at about the time major John Deere plants in the area were built.

Under current annexation laws, services such as sewer and water would have to be extended to the annexed property within three years. No such requirement existed in the 1970s.

Hudson has been working at trying to service the area. The northern tier currently has no water or sewer service. The city buys its water from Waterloo, and its sewer system ends miles from Ranchero Road. Bringing either service to the area would cost millions.

The city has established a mayor's task force to look at the future of the area and hired a consultant to work on it, as well.

"We're trying to practice the best stewardship for development in that area," Hudson City Clerk Sandie Deahl said.