Stick with Ogden's leadership
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No comments [ Add Comment ]By Orluff Opheikens, Steve Kier and Dave Wadman
Guest commentary
S
tep back in time to November 1998. The headlines read: "Nordstrom to close Jan. 31, 1999." The rest is history. For nearly a decade a vast empty site sat in the middle of downtown Ogden, and the comment heard most often was: "Why doesn't someone do something to downtown Ogden?" Wall Avenue and the area surrounding it weren't much better with several empty dilapidated buildings.
Fast forward to 2007:
* A flurry of activity at The Junction replacing two formerly empty blocks in downtown Ogden.
* 20 new commercial developments in downtown Ogden.
* 10 more in Ogden city.
* 18 new residential buildings.
* 59 home renovations and improvements.
* More citizens owning their own homes.
* 60 acres in Ogden redeveloped.
* 120 acres currently in some form of redevelopment.
* Approximately 5,853 new jobs.
* Approximately 1,700 future jobs anticipated.
* More than $1 billion new dollars invested in Ogden city.
Both the Ogden River Parkway and Weber River Parkway trail systems have been expanded and improved. On the horizon is the Ogden Riverfront Project, a 60-acre mixed-use redevelopment project that will include urban housing, commercial development and small-scaled retail and restaurants for recreation, shopping and dining along the beautiful, scenic Ogden River Parkway. The first phase includes nearly 12 acres, and the first project, Bingham Cyclery, broke ground in early summer 2007. There's much more to follow.
For too many years Ogden has been accused of being a city without an image, living in the shadow of Salt Lake City. Today Ogden has a vision and a purpose. With the infusion of sporting companies and sporting events, we know who we are and where we are going. With 120 acres of redevelopment under way dependent on Ogden's current leadership, can we really afford a change?
As local contractors, we've noticed a renewed and stronger loyalty from Ogden city. While we still bid competitively, the preference is to hire local contractors. These projects keep our employees closer to home, spending more time with their families and buying locally.
How we vote in this upcoming mayoral election determines our future. Do we keep progressing, or sit still and watch other communities pass us by?
As voters, it's up to us to decide.
Opheikens is chairman of the board of R&O Construction. Kier is president of Kier Construction. Wadman is CEO of Wadman Corporation.
