The 30 Year Project: Ogden's Rebirth

 Old Mansion Formerly located at 469 24th Street, Ogden Utah

Many folks have asked me the question: Where is Ogden headed?

To know where Ogden is headed you need to know where it has been.  Starting in the 1880's, it's an exciting story of barons of industry, agricultural development, and railroads that makes a tragic turn in the 1950's toward debauchery and economic obsolescence.  Everyone has heard of cities across the West described as "old railroad towns."  That phrase isn't normally used as a term of endearment.  It's usually an apologetic way to say "it used to be something and now it isn't."

For many of these "railroad towns", finding a new economic purpose has meant the difference between rebirth and renewal or entrapment in a death spiral.  Fortunately for Ogden, a new direction and economic purpose was formulated by community leaders back in 2000.  The new economic direction of the city, while focusing on local assets, would encompass a recreation and outdoor sport theme.  Since 2000, here is a list of things that have happened that coincide with that new direction:

• The Ogden Mall was demolished and replaced with indoor skydiving, rock climbing, surfing and recreation facility.  The remaining space was redeveloped into mixed use entertainment, restaurant, retail and residential space.
• Solomon moved its North American HQ to Ogden
• The river project area (which encompased 2 city blocks of blighted housing) was demolished and prepared for development
• Bike lanes were added to Washington Blvd in Downtown
• The Jefferson Historic District was created and restored
• The Eccles Historic District was created and restored
• FrontRunner Commuter rail made Downtown Ogden a major stop.
• Time Square and Union Square were construction on Historic 25th Street
• QBP moves a major bicycle part distribution center to Ogden
• The Weber trail system is enhanced with tunnels and bridges connecting most of the county trail system
• The good landlord program is instituted reducing crime by 25% among rental properties. 

This is by no means an exhaustive list.  However, it shows just what kind of improvements have been made in Ogden in the past 10 years.  If you count investment in improving residential property as well, the amount of money dumped into the Downtown Ogden area easily reaches the hundreds of millions.  I have not checked the numbers; but, based on what I know about Ogden history, I believe this investment is more than the previous 50 years combined.  

Our good friend Adam Smith has this to share which I believe resonates with those of us interested in revitalizing our city:

The increase of stock (capital in today's English) and the improvement of land are two events which must go hand in hand, and of which the one can no-where much outrun the other.  Without some increase of stock, there can be scarce any improvement of land, but there can be no considerable increase of stock but in consequence of a considerable improvement of land; because otherwise the land could not maintain it.  These natural obstructions to the establishment of a better system, cannot be removed but by a long course of frugality and industry; and half a century or a century more, perhaps, must pass away before the old system, which is wearing out gradually, can be completely abolished through all the different parts of the country.

  This is exactly what is happening in Ogden.  The "old system" of disinvestment, neglect, and abandonment is being abolished for the "better system" of pride in ownership, business investment, and historic restoration. 

There is so much to do that it all simply can't happen overnight.  Yet, it is being done with planning and perseverance.  Let us be frugal and industrious as we continue to make Ogden a great place to live!