Option B – A Shared Solution

By Kent Jorgenson

I’ve worked in marketing and public relations the majority of my professional life and always provided clients a variety of options when trying to sell an idea. That doesn’t mean I didn’t have a favorite idea but at least I gave them options. Why don’t we have any options when it comes to the Malan’s Basin, Mt. Ogden Golf Course and Gondola development? Why does it have to Option A or nothing?

The reality is that Chris Peterson, the proposed developer of the project is in a position of power because he owns a lot of the land we use for our trails. He is also in a position to become our friend or foe. Why not work with him and build a development that benefits all parties.

Why not allow Chris Peterson to purchase and build a “small” resort development on the south end of the golf course on city land and then link it to Malan’s Basin via Gondola? The development would be privately funded and managed; therefore it would create no risk for the city or its taxpayers. As part of the deal we can require no motorized vehicles be allowed or roads be developed on the property. Mr. Peterson can also continue to fund the development and preservation of our trails.

Mr. Peterson, on his own dime, can develop phase one of the project and that will allow the city and its residents the opportunity to see if the concept really attracts outside business investment and tourism to Ogden. If they can justify building the gondola from downtown to the university with hard data, then we can proceed at that time.

A shared solution development would allow Ogden to benefit from a multi-million dollar investment from Chris Peterson, provide Ogden the ability to market something that is unique (an urban gondola), and allow its citizens to retain our highly valued open space and trail network. To me this seems like a win-win solution.

In the meantime, why not follow our current twenty-year transportation plan and recommendations of the recent corridor study (downtown to WSU/McKay-Dee Hospital) and develop an efficient, well used transit corridor using Bus Rapid Transit or vintage/modern street car technology. The third party study indicates the corridor is justified and is a top priority for residents throughout Weber and Davis Counties. The plan already has a funding source in place and federal dollars can be used to help defray the cost.

What if we wanted the system sooner rather than later? Then county residents would need to step up like they have before and develop an additional source of funding. A project like this is absolutely possible to complete in a shorter timeframe than ten, fifteen or twenty years.

The tourists who won’t use a bus or street car to get from downtown to Mr. Peterson’s resort development can be shuttled by private carrier (i.e. limousine or shuttle service).

Everyone knows we need more economic development in Ogden, but we don’t want to sell our souls in the process. We also have to deal with reality and understand compromise is better than nothing. Let’s work together instead of focusing on our differences to create a community we can be proud of and call our own.

Kent Jorgenson, Mt. Ogden Neighbor and Ogden City Resident