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Public hearing Tuesday on Ogden’s $188M WonderBlock project

By Mark Shenefelt - | Jan 7, 2023

Image supplied, Ogden City

An artist's rendering of the proposed $188 million WonderBlock project in downtown Ogden.

OGDEN — Members of the public will have a chance Tuesday to weigh in on proposed city commitments for a $188 million plan to transform the old Wonder Bread property into a major new multipurpose development in Ogden’s downtown core.

The Ogden City Council has scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd., on the WonderBlock project, including a pair of city bonding packages, one for the main project and a second for two parking structures in the project area.

Plans for the area on the site of the old Hostess factory between 25th and 26th streets and Grant and Lincoln avenues include apartments, office space, retail storefronts, a grocery store and a hotel fronting on Historic 25th Street.

City officials said the development is intended to complement 25th Street and increase activity in the downtown core. City bonding participation is necessary to make the project viable, they said.

The project envisions a city agreement with the developer J. Fisher Cos. Updated project documents provided Thursday show that a city resolution would provide $64 million to $75 million in sales tax revenue bonds for the WonderBlock project. The bonds would be paid for by tax increment revenue generated by the project and lease revenue from Business Depot Ogden. The developer would commit an estimated $124 million to the project.

A second resolution would authorize the issuance of $60 million to $85 million in lease revenue bonds to build the two parking structures. Revenue from a downtown paid parking plan would cover bond repayments.

City officials held open houses on the project last year. The city has been gathering public comment on the plans. Residents who cannot attend the public hearing can offer online feedback to the city council.

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