A streetcar system is the best solution for Ogden

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Bringing streetcars back to Ogden may be the best way to build upon the outstanding recent business developments in the city's central business district. The buzzword in land use and transportation planning these days is "transit oriented development," or TOD. What is TOD and why is it so important for Ogden? The idea is to have a transit system that will serve the largest commuter populations in the city (WSU and McKay-Dee Hospital), while encouraging new commercial and residential development along the 25th Street corridor in Ogden's downtown and East Central Neighborhood.

The East Central Neighborhood has several crime "hotspots" that can be changed through TOD which brings more people into the urban setting. The notion that more "eyes on the streets" make neighborhoods safer from crime and gang activity is nothing new. The late Jane Jacobs, a renowned urban sociologist who coined the "eyes on the streets" term, argued that mixed-use development and mass transit that bring people (as opposed to surveillance cameras) out onto the streets at all hours, not just during regular 9-to-5 business hours, are essential to making safer neighborhoods.

But what types of transit attract investors interested in mixed, commercial and residential development? Bus rapid transit is a less expensive form of transit, but without fixed rail, there's no guarantee to the developer or home buyer that the route will not be changed in the near future. A gondola might be a viable tourist attraction, but without frequent stops at street side, it's not practical mass transit.

In fact, a transit study completed in June 2005 by Baker and Associates showed the streetcar system to be the most beneficial transit system to connect the downtown to the university and hospital (posted at www.smartgrowthogden.org). In short, fixed-rail transit is critical to revitalization opportunities in Ogden. Several developers interested in Ogden are waiting to see if the city will pursue a streetcar system before investing.

One developer in particular is Chris Ketterhagen from Boulder, Colo., who is attracted by the same "mountain to metro" experiences that many Ogden locals covet. Mr. Ketterhagen's tremendously successful Broadway Brownstones project in Boulder is a good example of the type of housing that would help to turn things around in Ogden. To gain some impression of the sort of housing that can be developed along a future streetcar corridor, have a look at bwaybrownstones.com. A mix of attractive higher and moderately priced townhomes would be ideal for Ogden residents looking for a place to live where they can hike, run, ski, bike and/or climb within five to 25 minutes from their doorstep.

So why is Ogden waiting to get in line for federal funding for transit oriented development? As much as 80 percent of the proposed $10 million streetcar system could be funded by the Federal Transit Administration's Small Starts Program (www.fta.dot.gov/planning_environment.html). It is encouraging to see that the $250,000 for the Utah Transit Authority to further study transit options will go to a broader alternatives analysis, including consideration of a streetcar system. Given the thorough analysis that was conducted two years ago, it would come as no surprise if the streetcar system were to rank as the best alternative once again.

Regarding corridor selection, it's important to keep in mind that the university has about 18,000 potential riders, many of whom will come from northern Davis County and places beyond Ogden's city limits. Indeed, improved transit to and from Weber State is integral to the university's long range transportation plan (www.weber.edu, go to facilities management page).

A streetcar system that could operate within traffic along 25th Street would lend to Ogden's blend of historical character and new high adventure sport activities helping to put Ogden back on the map, but now as a more environmentally sustainable city. As we are all keenly aware, commuter rail will be here this spring, but will it ever be served by good transit connections in the city? Should a streetcar line run from downtown Ogden along Riverdale Road to the retail stores in Riverdale? Or would residents of Davis and Weber counties be better served by transit to the university and the hospital? Lacking a regional sales tax, Ogden city may benefit more from commercial redevelopment along Harrison Boulevard, where retail space sits idle, rather than encouraging residents to shop in Riverdale.

If streetcars running along 25th Street and Harrison Boulevard would invigorate new businesses and residential redevelopment, possibly reduce crime in East Central Ogden, and serve commuters throughout Northern Utah, why are we waiting? We hope for positive election results on the quarter-cent sales tax increase to fund transportation, but the FTA would likely provide significant funds regardless of the vote outcome. Now is the time for the city's leaders to act, not another two years from now when Ogden may have slipped behind Salt Lake City in the funding cycle.

Dorsey is a professor of geography and coordinator of the Urban and Regional Planning Program at Weber State University.

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