With the coming of the new year to Northern Utah, more snow than we’ve seen for years blankets our community and reminds us that Ogden is indeed breathtaking. Our colorful sunsets to the west, and our rugged Olympic mountains to the east frame a gracious, historic city that is full of character and opportunities. As residents and businessmen of this great city, we are still reminded by first-time visitors of Ogden’s unique charm.Downtown Ogden has seen many changes since the last major snowfall and continues to build on its heritage while establishing itself as a safe, welcoming and vibrant center of community activities and business. Clearly, a vibrant downtown is essential for long-term growth, jobs, prosperity, and pride in our community.
This past December, the Ogden City Council voted to renew the Special Improvement District [SID] in the heart of Ogden running from 28th Street to 21st Street, Wall Avenue to Adams Avenue. A tax of .0025 of their property value is levied on the property owners within these borders once every three years, and the funds collected are used to support and promote economic growth and cultural development within that core area. Downtown Ogden, Inc. has been managing the SID funds for the last 10 years with an ever-increasing menu of programs designed to positively impact the downtown environment. Established in 1994, Downtown Ogden Inc. is an independent, not-for-profit coalition of property owners, tenants and community leaders working to revitalize downtown. DOI programs improve the physical appearance of downtown, coordinate diverse public events, support community arts development, provide tourist assistance, aid with retail improvement services, and help with streetscape improvements. Some important DOI projects include: graffiti removal, building façade improvements, 25th Street Farmers and Art Market, downtown Saturday nights, downtown murals and sidewalk replacement, ArtStop Ogden, Monday Night at the Movies, and Talent in the Park.
Together with our members, Downtown Ogden, Inc is responding to current challenges and attaining its goals. We are an organization committed to economic development, community partnerships, and most importantly, our downtown. Ogden’s hometown atmosphere includes the cozy café and romantic open-air restaurants, the best independent shops and boutiques, and unique art galleries and studios that display the work of local Northern Utah artists. In fact, downtown Ogden offers unique and diverse dining, shopping and entertainment that the franchise restaurants, suburban marts, malls and strip plazas can’t provide.
Even better, by supporting your local restaurants and shops downtown, you will be participating in a grass-roots revitalization project - and possibly lowering your future local tax bill. The International Downtown Association has reported that for every dollar spent in a corporate owned store, 75 cents is lost out of state. For stores that are locally owned and operated, 75 cents of that dollar stays and is re-circulated within your community. That’s one painless alternative to raising local taxes.
Though there are no easy solutions to the transition issues our city has faced this past decade, we have made significant strides along what continues to be a very exciting road. With the commitment and dedication of our members and with the community’s support, our downtown will continue to evolve and flourish. Together we will continue to make a difference. Shop Locally, Dine Locally–Catch the vision!
Dan Musgrave is Executive Director, Downtown Ogden, Inc. He can be reached at dmusgrave@ocae.org.
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