OGDEN -- City officials are floating a land exchange proposal that would allow the demolition of about 40 vacant houses in the Ogden River Project area owned by a company with ties to developer Gadi Leshem.
The proposal to tear down the dwellings owned by Ogden Riverfront Development Company, hasn't been presented to Leshem, said Richard McConkie, the city's Community and Economic Development director.
"We feel it's important for the community for the homes to come down," said McConkie, who would like to see demolition work on the houses begin this summer.
It has not been determined whether Mayor Matthew Godfrey, who is executive director of the Ogden Redevelopment Agency, or the city council which serves as the agency's board,n would have authority to approve the property exchange, said Janene Eller-Smith, a policy analyst for the council.
The houses owned by Ogden Riverfront Development are located between Washington Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue from 18th Street to 20th Street.
The proposal calls for the city to fund the demolition, which McConkie estimated could cost as much as $500,000.
In exchange, the city would seek to have Ogden Riverfront Development and Leshem's wife, Miri, donate parcels totaling about three-quarters of an acre just north of the Ogden River to the RDA. The land would be combined with about 2 acres of adjoining property the RDA owns to create a public park, said McConkie.
"We think a park would be a great amenity along the river," he said.
Leshem could not be reached for comment regarding the proposal.
City Councilman Brandon Stephenson said the proposal deserves consideration. "It would green up the parkway along the river and make it more aesthetically pleasing," he said. "It would enhance the river further as a centerpiece for the city."
If the cost of demolishing the vacant homes exceeds the value of the exchanged property, a lien for the difference could be placed on other land Ogden Riverfront Development owns in the project area, said McConkie.
The liens would require Ogden Riverfront Development to use proceeds from the sale of the land to reimburse the RDA for remaining costs associated with the demolition.
It hasn't been determined how the city will pay up front for demolition of all the homes. The RDA has identified $183,275 in its fiscal 2011 budget that could be used for demolition, said Eller-Smith. The RDA board is scheduled to vote on the budget Tuesday.
McConkie said his staff is in the process of contacting demolition companies to determine if costs associated with tearing down the homes can be paid by the city over several years.
The Ogden River Project has been on the drawing board since 2002 and encompasses about 60 acres straddling the river from 18th to 20th streets and Washington Boulevard to Wall Avenue.
Lee Homes, based in Marina del Rey, Calif., has submitted a conceptual master plan to the city to complete the project in nine phases over a seven- to 10-year period.
Jeff Lee, president of Lee Homes, could not be reached for comment regarding the land exchange proposal. Lee has said his company became aware of the river project because his father, Harlan Lee, is a close friend of Leshem.
When finished, the project would likely have 315,000 square feet of commercial space and 916 residential units that could house about 1,900 residents, according to the Lee Homes proposal.
Residential dwellings would include single-family homes, row houses, condominiums and townhomes.
This topic is being discussed at the Weber County Forum: http://wcforum.blogspot.com/
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