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1 Comment [ View ]Get involved in Ogden's future
Ogden is formulating a plan for its downtown business district, and it's asking for the public's help.
As reported by the Standard-Examiner's Scott Schwebke, the area which extends from "Adams Avenue to west of Wall Avenue and from 27th Street to the Ogden River" is the subject of a 14-member citizen steering committee. This planned long-range outline will cover the city's business district.
Schwebke wrote, a "significant challenge involves determining how to accommodate growth to increase pedestrian activity downtown, according to the plan's steering committee."
Over the next month or two, the plan will be mulled over in work sessions. A public hearing will be set for June or July to go over the hashed-out plan. If it is eventually OK'd, the city council will need to amend the city's general plan to include the business district plan.
The steering committee has several suggestions for the Ogden council. One idea is short-term economic incentives that would later be phased out as development -- and presumably profits -- increased. Others are more aesthetic in nature, such as planting trees, installing streetlights with an historic theme on 23rd, 24th and 25th streets. Also, the committee wants the Salvation Army and St. Anne's Center to mandate high standards of appearance and clientele management. Another suggestion, Schwebke reported, is a zero-tolerance policy for panhandling and loitering.
The steering committee also wants the city to promote its rich history and culture in the downtown area. This involves projects that would highlight the railroad, Historic 25th Street and Browning Arms.
Important transportation issues also are on the table. The committee has listed pedicabs, streetcars, a gondola and trolleys as options in the downtown area.
It's impossible at this time to guess what will finally be implemented. John Mayer, a city planner, told Schwebke that some steering committee suggestions may change before the public hearings this summer. However, we urge local business owners and Junction City shoppers and residents to be involved in the decision-making process; this is a chance to have real input.
Send the city your suggestions. Local business owners can contact Mayer at johnmayer@ci.ogden.ut.us with recommendations for the business area. We suggest others contact Mayor Matthew Godfrey and the council with ideas.
If there is one constant in Ogden the past several years, it is that there is consistent debate over the city's future. We regard that as a positive and hope it continues with the city's plan for its business district.
Add Your Comment
Considering that Ogden has the 3 highest crime rate in the entire state (we even edged out West Valley City)any effort to revitalize the downtown area that isn't accompanied with a concerted law enforcement effort is doomed to failure.
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