Ogden discusses city goals
There are no comments for this page [ Add Comment ]Tuesday, March 25, 2008
By SCOTT SCHWEBKE
Standard-Examiner staff
sschwebke@standard.net
Council, administration may adopt joint goals
OGDEN -- The city's council and administration would be willing to evaluate a future proposal for a resort at Malan's Basin, according to a set of joint goals that may be adopted by the two bodies.
The goals are among several under consideration to address transit services, downtown neighborhood revitalization, recreation, public safety, infrastructure, retail trade, the environment and increased community involvement.
"There is consensus to move the community forward to enhance the quality of life," John Patterson, the city's chief administrative officer, said regarding the proposed goals.
It hasn't been determined when the administration and council may adopt the goals, said Bill Cook, the council's executive director.
The goal calling for the council and administration to evaluate future proposals for a Malan's Basin resort is part of an overall strategy to expand local recreation opportunities.
The council wouldn't necessarily endorse a resort proposal, but Councilwoman Dorrene Jeske said, "We are obligated to look at every proposal that comes forward."
Developer Chris Peterson has expressed an interest in building a year-round resort at Malan's Basin, which consists of more than 1,000 acres he owns on the west side of Mount Ogden.
The resort was part of an original plan from Peterson to buy Mount Ogden Golf Course and adjoining land from the city, along with 120 acres off Skyline Drive from Weber State University.
The golf course would have been reconfigured to make way for an upscale subdivision.
The city would have used proceeds from the sale of the golf course and adjoining land to fund an urban gondola that would connect to a separate gondola running from an area near Weber State to the resort.
However, Mayor Matthew Godfrey has refused to sell the golf course and adjoining property to Peterson because, he says, residents fear the city's trail system in the foothills along the East Bench would be adversely affected.
In addition, Weber State's Board of Trustees decided not to sell the Skyline Drive property.
Peterson could not be reached for comment Monday regarding whether he still plans to pursue the Malan's Basin resort and gondola project.
The proposed strategic goals being considered by the administration and council also call for setting limits on growth in Ogden's foothills, auditing Mount Ogden Golf Course's operations and creating an open-space corridor along the Ogden River.
Other objectives include determining the feasibility of a trolley system and transit loop downtown, increasing neighborhood revitalization in central Ogden, implementing a downtown parking plan and using Business Depot Ogden revenues to address infrastructure needs.
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