In October 1998, Ogden City launched “Involve Ogden, Plan Your Future,” a comprehensive effort to update the city’s General Plan. After years of collaboration and community input, the updated plan was published in 2002, laying out a vision for Ogden’s development through 2024 and beyond. Now, as we stand at the threshold of 2024, it’s time to assess how far we’ve come and whether we’re on track to meet the goals set out over two decades ago.
But this is just the beginning. Mayor Ben Nadolski recently invited all of us to be part of an exciting new chapter—envisioning Ogden’s future all the way out to 2050. In his message, he emphasized the importance of community involvement in shaping the city’s trajectory, highlighting that this is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for all of us to have a say in the future of Ogden. Whether your priorities are transportation, economic development, parks, or education, your voice is crucial in crafting a vision that will serve not only us but also our children and future generations.
What Did 2002 Ogden Envision?
The 2002 General Plan had several key objectives for Ogden’s housing market and urban development:
- Revitalize Neighborhoods: The plan emphasized the need to breathe new life into older neighborhoods, making them more attractive to residents and increasing homeownership rates.
- Diversify Housing Options: The city aimed to provide a mix of housing types to accommodate different income levels and lifestyles, including affordable housing for first-time buyers and diverse housing options throughout the city.
- Promote Sustainable Development: Environmental stewardship was a central theme, with the plan calling for sustainable growth that preserved Ogden’s natural beauty while accommodating new developments.
- Expand Public Transportation and Connectivity: Reducing car dependency and improving public transit options were top priorities, with goals to make Ogden more walkable and bike-friendly.
Where Are We Now in 2024?
As we look at Ogden today, we can see that the city has made significant progress in several areas, but some challenges remain:
- Neighborhood Revitalization: Ogden has invested heavily in revitalizing its historic neighborhoods, with many areas now seeing increased homeownership and new developments that respect the city’s historic character. However, there are still neighborhoods that require further investment to fully meet the 2002 goals.
- Housing Diversity: Mixed-density housing developments have become more common, offering a range of options from single-family homes to townhouses. This has helped diversify the housing market, but rising demand continues to challenge affordability, a key concern highlighted in the original plan.
- Sustainable Development: The city has made strides in promoting eco-friendly building practices and expanding green spaces. However, with ongoing growth, it’s essential that new developments continue to prioritize sustainability to stay aligned with the 2002 vision.
- Public Transportation: The expansion of public transportation, including the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit (OGX) system, reflects significant progress in this area. These improvements have made downtown Ogden more accessible and aligned well with the 2002 goals of reducing car dependency and enhancing connectivity.
Are We on Track?
Overall, Ogden has made meaningful progress in realizing the vision set out in the 2002 General Plan. The city has successfully moved toward revitalizing neighborhoods, diversifying housing options, and enhancing public transportation. However, to fully achieve the plan’s goals, continued focus on affordability, sustainability, and equitable development is needed.
Looking Forward: Join Us in Shaping Ogden’s Future
As we evaluate how far we’ve come since 2002, it’s clear that community involvement has been key to our progress. Now, as we look ahead to 2050, we have a unique opportunity to build on this momentum. The city is once again turning to its residents to help shape the next chapter of Ogden’s future.
Through the new General Plan and vision process, your input will help guide critical decisions on housing, transportation, parks, economic development, and more. This is your chance to make your voice heard and ensure that Ogden continues to be a place where we all can thrive.
Visit Plan-Ogden.com to learn more about how you can get involved. Whether you’re attending a community meeting or sharing your thoughts online, every bit of input helps. Let’s work together to create a future that works for us, our children, and generations to come.
