Outlet stores in downtown Ogden? Mayor says deal could be announced in November

OGDEN -- The city expects to announce an agreement next month with one or more companies to establish retail outlet operations in three vacant buildings on the east side of Washington Boulevard, says Mayor Matthew Godfrey.

Godfrey declined to identify the companies the city is negotiating with to occupy portions of buildings at 2314, 2318 and 2326 Washington Boulevard.

"We are crafting an agreement in a way that all parties share the risk," he said.

The buildings where the outlet operation may be located previously housed a farm implement company, children's clothing store and a hardware store.

The outlet operation would sell brand-name overstocked and scratch-and-dent specialty items that could include clothing, furniture and other goods, Godfrey said.

The city is spending $310,000 in recently awarded federal stimulus funds to rehabilitate portions of the three buildings in preparation for retail businesses, Godfrey said, adding that the work may be finished within a month.

The city is leasing the buildings at no cost to the municipality. Stimulus funds are being used to complete improvements to the first floors of the buildings and to add parking to the rear of the structures.

The city plans to sublease the rehabilitated portions of the buildings for the outlet operation, Godfrey said.

The three buildings were chosen for rehabilitation because they are across the street from The Junction, a retail, residential and entertainment complex.

In addition, the buildings are of adequate size and have on-site parking to help stimulate other retail development along the east side of Washington Boulevard, Tom Christopulos, the city's business development manager, has said.

City Councilman Brandon Stephenson said he's pleased that an outlet operation may locate in the buildings.

"It fits pretty well there, and it does something I had hoped we could do for a very long time but haven't been able to," he said. "There is a lot of very positive things that could come from this."

A terraced parking structure could eventually be built behind the outlet operation depending on customer demand, said Godfrey, who hopes other retail businesses will also open along the east side of Washington Boulevard.

Related link: This article is a topic of discussion at Weber County Forum.