As 2025 has progressed, the city has witnessed significant changes within and beyond its borders, bringing promise and challenges in spades.

Helping the Most Vulnerable

One of the greatest challenges for cities, regardless of their name, has long been how to best approach homelessness.

Early in the year, the Weber Housing Authority hoped that it had a partial solution by turning the former Aspen Assisted Living facility into a shelter for those experiencing chronic homelessness with a diagnosed disability, serving upwards of 25 people at a time. The project needed city approval to move ahead, but this was ultimately not given with the city opting to buy the property from Weber Housing Authority for $2.2 million to build new housing on the site.

Nadolski said the decision didn’t come down to a lack of compassion, but rather a lack of working with the city as required.

“Chalk that up as one of the projects I inherited when I started, and what I inherited was the Weber Housing Authority — who by statute — is required to coordinate with the local legislative body, in our case, the City Council, and that they’re not legally allowed to build in our city without their cooperation and ultimate approval,” he said. “Yet, I inherited a project where they purchased the property, planned for and received grants, etc., without having that approval in place. So when you look at the project and where they chose, it runs completely contrary to all of our housing policies and priorities, all of the investment we’ve made and that’s the consequence of having an organization operating in your city without the proper approvals.”

He said it’s been frustrating to see people weaponize this rejection and that it overshadows several efforts that have already been undertaken by the city.

“We have entire campaigns leveraging that one moment, one project, completely ignorant of everything else,” he said. “People have to recognize the work that’s happening in our community and it frustrates me to no end that the people that are doing that kind of work don’t get any credit or support for it because people are focused on the wrong thing. They’re focused on fighting instead of lifting a shovel, doing work and having an impact to help people.”

Nadolski noted one example in which the city has worked with with the Ogden Housing Authority, which has helped to recently bring a housing solution to fruition.

“I’m really proud to say that, at the same time that we were wrestling with that project, we built and finished — in collaboration with the Ogden Housing Authority — the Solace Project,” he said. “I think it was 56 units that we built at the same time.”

Nadolski also noted the homeless advocates that work within the city, including the Ogden Police Department and the Ogden Fire Department.

“We have homeless service advocates that are a model that we’ve set for other cities across the nation, and they are building it like we do,” he said. “We’re setting the example and we’re proud of that.”

Outside Pressures

A more politically charged and divisive atmosphere emanating from the nation’s capital has also started putting pressure on local governance, according to Nadolski.

“It’s not just here in Ogden, it’s happening everywhere,” he said. “I’ve talked to other mayors. It’s a similar dynamic.”

He said typically the functions of a city aren’t supposed to be partisan.

“It’s far less political than people think,” he said. “It’s far less partisan than people think on day-to-day decisions. It’s much more rooted in leadership and management of resources, projects and programs and partnerships.”

Nadolski added: “We’re seeing a lot of optics, a lot of media bias amongst different channels and sources that are targeting different topics that want to just create foment and divisiveness. I think it’s part of the intention of those networks and those that are providing the information — to create that same unrest everywhere, even though the same dynamics just don’t exist.”

He said this focus on national politics can make it more difficult for local elected leaders to serve those closest to home who need it most.

“All of the focus we have to put on those things is focus that’s not put into the ground, that’s not put into initiatives that help people,” he said. “Right now, people are struggling — even middle-class America. Normal people are having a hard time making ends meet, and there’s work to do to help get through that. But the more we focus on the national foment, the less we’re working on things that help people, and that’s been a struggle.”

Growth and the Future

At the end of the day, Nadolski said there will always be the reality of growth and how it must be dealt with.

“You cannot deny that growth is coming,” he said. “If you deny it and you don’t plan for it, it’s going to eat you alive. We’re just going to get buried by it. And if you don’t have all of the policies in place like we haven’t, what happens is exactly what’s happening here in Ogden — you end up with a building pattern that’s sporadic. We’ve got apartments popping up in random places. That’s because our outdated code has allowed it for years.”

He said the city is working to change course on this.

“I’m proud to say that I started — almost immediately from taking office — to rectify that,” he said.

The city is currently working on updating several documents such as zoning ordinances and the general plan.

On the future of industry in Ogden, Nadolski said a neighbor will be a key partner.

“The No. 1 industry that we need to stay focused on and double down on is defense and aerospace,” he said. “Our proximity to Hill Air Force Base cannot be matched. It is critical not only for the future of our city but for the mission of the United States of America and for the mission of world peace.”

He said Ogden plays an important role in the base’s ongoing mission.

“They rely on all of the cities surrounding — with Ogden being the anchor city in this area — to be where contractors, their airmen and airwomen live,” he said. “If they’re not on base, they live in our cities. Most live in Ogden. They prefer to live in Ogden because it’s a lot more like where they come from from all over the world.”