If Ogden is to eventually have a chance to receive federal funding for its public transportation initiatives, all entities that will be affected need to reach a consensus on what the best routes are. Before scores of millions of dollars are handed to the city to build a trolley system that leads to Weber State University and McKay-Dee Hospital, the feds will need to be convinced that the projects have wide support and can get done.
There is a very important funding rule to consider as well. Under the Obama administration, it appears that economic development is a bigger factor toward getting federal funding for transportation projects. That seems to be a switch from previous years, when moving commuters from from "Point A" to "Point B" was the main factor.
We're intrigued by Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey's submission of a $21.4 million grant application to the Federal Transit Administration for a 2.2 mile loop streetcar circulator. That project is endorsed by the Utah Transit Authority, and we hope the city is successful in its funding quest.
One step that would still need to be completed is receiving permission from the Weber Area Council of Governments in using revenue from a county sales tax to provide $5.3 million in matching funds.
What's still unresolved -- and may stay that way for a while -- is the preferred trolley route that will lead to WSU and McKay-Dee. The Utah Transit Authority prefers a route from Ogden's intermodal hub that uses Washington Boulevard to 36th Street and Harrison Boulevard. There is an effort to move the route through Ogden's downtown district, including 25th Street and other roads, between Washington and Harrison. UTA supports the first option. The Standard-Examiner Editorial Board met with UTA officials and listened to their reasons for preferring the Washington, 36th, and Harrison option.
They presented their arguments. One is the economic advantage factor. Washington Boulevard has many businesses that will be positively impacted by public transportation. Harrison Boulevard, in contrast, is geared toward residential living. A transit system in Ogden is not only about moving people along, it's about the stops on the way.
Another argument is that far fewer properties would need to be acquired -- 15 in UTA's opinion -- to use the first option. However, a 25th Street model, according to UTA, would require 70 properties to be acquired by UTA.
Although UTA has made a strong case, the debate is not over. However, things need to move faster rather than slower. UTA will need as much as $150 million from the feds for the transit line. The sooner all players in this project can provide a unified front, the better the chances of the transit route's getting federal funding and eventually occurring.
The Ogden City Council is a big players in the debate. We urge council members to show leadership on this issue and work together to reach a reasonable consensus that has the best chance of success.
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