The Path to Better Neighboroods

There is a debate out there about how local governments can best improve neglected and aging neighborhoods. In fact, as a member of a steering committee for the East Central Neighborhood community plan, we are discussing this very aspect and what government can do to improve the neighborhoods.

There are two approaches, I will call them direct intervention and indirect.

With direct intervention, taxpayer money is used to buy, control, and/or renovate property so that it no longer is a burden on the neighborhood aesthetics and property value. Ogden City participates in direct intervention with the Home Sweet Ogden program. This is basically a HUD sponsored program facilitated through grant money from the federal level. I happen to sit on the advisory committee overseeing this grant. The city has also been involved in other direct intervention projects like the recent post on 2601 Jefferson Ave. The city has certainly taken an assertive approach in cleaning up some very awkward properties that perhaps would have been unfeasible to the private sector. The changes being made to these properties are so dramatic that their value and use will be perpetuated for generations.

The indirect approach is one that I support the most strongly. Although it includes zoning and regulations on development, it also includes a very important focus on infrastructure such as sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and streets. This focus is what we think of when we think of the traditional responsibilities of city government. It is the window dressing for the neighborhoods. However, the city needs to know that before investing in these upgrades, that a neighborhood is willing to add-to or protect and maintain this investment in the infrastructure and neighborhood.

Fortunately for our neighborhood, we have reached that point. Crews began work yesterday on removing old sidewalk and pouring new.


This summer, new curb, gutter, and approaches will be poured. I am glad this is finally happening. My contacts in the city have told me this has been on the docket for almost 2 years.

Finally, I am a big believer in infrastructure improvements because I believe they spur further growth and development in a neighborhood. The Jefferson and Eccles Historic Districts all had new street infrastructure installed. Shortly after that, hoards of buyers shopped the neighborhoods looking for homes to fix up or move into. Demand for property in those areas (and therefore property values) jumped once the infrastructure was done. I believe that the public investment in infrastructure precedes the desired private investment in properties. I have the data and charts to support this idea. City efforts to improve our streetscapes will only bring good things to our neighborhoods.