OGDEN — A deteriorating four-block section of downtown could be revitalized under an urban renewal plan narrowly approved Tuesday by the Ogden Redevelopment Agency board.
The board, consisting of Ogden City Council members, approved using tax-increment financing to enhance the area between 20th and 24th streets from Washington Boulevard to Adams Avenue during a 20-year period.
But the vote was not unanimous. Board members haggled about whether to retain language allowing the city to use eminent domain and condemnation proceedings to acquire property. The first motion, with the language included, failed by a 4-3 vote. The second, without it included, passed 4-3.
Councilwoman Susie Van Hooser said eminent domain was "very bothersome to me," and Councilman Neil Garner said he was "uncomfortable" with the eminent domain language in this case.
"I think this is a tool that rarely should, if ever, be used to take property away from an owner," Garner said.
But Councilman Brandon Stephenson, along with Mayor Matthew Godfrey, contended that eminent domain laws contain many safeguards protecting property owners and that the process is needed to resolve certain rare situations.
"I think the time will come when the unimaginable happens and we won't be able to resolve the issue," Stephenson said.
Godfrey said the city has indeed faced several "unimaginable" situations, usually focused on technical issues. He described eminent domain as a tool that would be "unwise" to discard.
"It would be the rarest of occasions that it would be pulled out," Godfrey said. "It's like buying insurance — right? — for some catastrophic event. The probability is you're never going to use that, but it's still wise to have it."
Councilman Bart Blair, who voted "yes" both times, said development in the area is vital. But he acknowledged that residents and property owners were afraid of eminent domain, and that fear could be eased with the elimination of the contentious language.
After the votes, Bob Hunter, former Weber County commissioner and former Ogden city manager, urged the board to reconsider and add the language.
"I think you've seriously handcuffed yourselves with the vote you've taken tonight," Hunter told the panel.
The RDA board in April determined that blight existed in the East Washington Urban Renewal Project Area, which features commercial activities along Washington Boulevard and housing along alleys and Adams Avenue.
Of the estimated $16.8 million in tax increment, about $13 million would be used to help property owners in financing improvements. About $3 million would be used for housing.
If it works as expected, the area would see about $90 million in investment during the 20-year period, which could begin anytime during the next five years.
Godfrey said the East Washington approach is unlike most RDAs, which typically have specific plans, but "we know there's interest in developing this area."
"I think the important aspect here tonight," Councilman Doug Stephens said, "is the development of Ogden and the development of the east side of Ogden and the neighborhoods and restoring it back to where it was 30, 40 years ago, so it will be prosperous and viable and we can develop the neighborhoods in that area."
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