Water park plan presented
There are no comments for this page [ Add Comment ]Wednesday, January 23, 2008
By SCOTT SCHWEBKE
Standard-Examiner
sschwebke@standard.net
Council told $115 million project would enhance city's high-adventure reputation
OGDEN -- A proposed multimillion-dollar indoor water park downtown would dramatically enhance Ogden's high-adventure reputation, a developer for the project told the city's redevelopment agency board Tuesday night.
The aim of the water park is to create an adventurous environment that would benefit the city and attract tourists, Scott J. Kwiecinski, development manager for Horizon Construction Group, told the RDA board during a work session. Horizon has headquarters in Verona, Wis.
The proposed $115 million water park that may be built on 1.6 acres at the northeast corner of 23rd Street and Washington Boulevard is viewed as a major component in the success of Midtown Village at The Junction, a luxury 14-story hotel that may be constructed across the street.
The RDA board, made up of the city council, held the work session to review a proposed development agreement with Orem-based Midtown Development Inc. to build the hotel at the northwest corner of 23rd Street and Washington Boulevard, within The Junction complex. The RDA board may vote on the agreement Feb. 5.
Larry Myler, president of Midtown Development, said his company is partnering with Horizon Construction and Milwaukee-based Wave Development LLC to construct the water park.
Horizon Construction is the nation's leading builder of indoor water resorts, with 13 projects either completed or under development valued at about $522 million, Kwiecinski said.
The Ogden water park would likely be built in two phases and would be designed to resemble a tropical destination, such as Key West, Kwiecinski said.
The first phase would encompass about 32,000 square feet, followed by a possible 25,000-square-foot second phase, he said.
The year-round water park would feature a number of slides, a lazy river, a raft ride, spa area and a challenging flow rider that could complement the one that already exists inside the Salomon Center within The Junction, Kwiecinski said.
A skywalk would connect the water park to Midtown Village at The Junction, which could have 300 rooms.
Myler said his company is interested in building in Ogden because of the economic revitalization occurring downtown."We like to see a city that's on an upward climb," he told the RDA board. "We think that fits Ogden very well."
About 25 percent of Midtown Village's rooms would likely be condominiums and the remaining 75 percent would be conventional hotel rooms, Myler said.
The first three levels of the hotel may be used for parking, with two restaurants and retail space for boutique-type businesses on the next level. Another restaurant may be built on the 10th floor, he said. The hotel could provide quality accommodations downtown, allowing the city to attract conventions that could be attended by as many as 600 people, said Richard McConkie, the city's deputy director of community and economic development.
The proposed development agreement being considered by the RDA calls for Midtown Development to purchase 1.7 acres for the hotel for the appraised value of $1.7 million.
In addition, the RDA would provide Midtown Development with a $1.2 million, interest-free loan from its housing funds to help cover construction costs.
Midtown Development would have to repay the loan no later than 36 months after the occupancy certificate is issued for the hotel, or pay a 10 percent annual interest rate. The city would also create a special assessment area for the hotel to help fund parking facilities.
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