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Current Initiatives
Ogden's New Economic Base (Part 2) - High Adventure Infrastructure is Key
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Written By Brandon Stephenson Posted 9/01/2007
I offer the following to answer questions and respond to various feedback regarding my article printed on February
15, 2007 titled “An Economic Base for Ogden”.
Just as previous community leaders were progressive and had a “can do” attitude, we must also be positive and
forward thinking. For example, in 1871, soon after the transcontinental railroad came to Ogden, a battle waged
between Corinne and Ogden to determine which community would become the junction for the two main railroad
companies of the time. Recognizing the importance of establishing Ogden as the critical East-West junction, 131
acres (the current Ogden rail yard) was acquired by Brigham Young and then offered for free to the two rail
companies if they would bring their central junctions to Ogden City. In addition, Brigham Young and other
community leaders built the Utah Northern Railroad, offering an alternate route that largely bypassed the
developing Corinne rail yards. By 1874, the effect of these actions had caused the decline of business in Corinne,
and Ogden ultimately became the Junction City of the Transcontinental Railroad Line sustaining the economic
base of Ogden for the next 100 years.
We must emulate this progressive “can do” attitude as we compete with other communities world-wide to
establish Ogden as a high adventure recreation destination with the powerful potential to re-fuel our economic base
for generations to come. Even though the current concept of becoming a high adventure recreation destination is
less than two years old, there are some compelling parallels that are generating much optimism and excitement
with investors, businesses and citizens.
Just as the railroad brought jobs, various current high adventure businesses are bringing jobs. Some are high
paying executive jobs, some are average paying jobs and others are lower paying jobs. In any case, as Ogden
pushes forward and creates a better environment for these businesses and their workers, other companies will
follow and Ogden’s traditionally lower average wages will likely rise as job opportunities increase.
Just as the railroad brought industry, such as canning and livestock, who’s owners recognized the importance of
being located in a main transportation hub, the high adventure focus has brought many ski industry companies
and promises to bring many others that recognize the collaborative advantages of being part of a centralized ski
industry hub. In addition, a buzz of excitement has swept across the country regarding this little town in Utah.
Just as the railroad brought travelers into Ogden, the high adventure infrastructure and various venues will bring
many visitors that will come to enjoy the conglomeration of high adventure activities. In addition to the high
adventure infrastructure we already have, such as local ski resorts, Pine View Reservoir, Willard Bay and miles of
biking and hiking trails, we must build and market other targeted high adventure activities that will ultimately bring
new people and new dollars into our community. Hundreds and thousands of people will have specific reasons to
enjoy our events and spend money in our community.
Just as the key to the railroad’s success was the establishment of the rail infrastructure, it is also a key to
establishing Ogden’s success as a high adventure “hot spot”. The following infrastructure initiatives are a few,
among many, that are generating even more excitement...
I am not suggesting that we encourage high adventure infrastructure without appropriate due diligence and public
debate regarding the best things for our community. However, I am saying that those who had vision enough to
entice the railroad, bringing 100 years of prosperity to Ogden, should be an example of how we can maintain an
attitude of faith, honestly recognizing possible benefits and carefully evaluating impacts of each proposed project.
We then can choose those that will move us towards economic vitality for the next 100 years. A reasonable
approach for each Ogdenite is to refrain from closed minded obstructionism, and be unified in cautious optimism
as we work together to re-establish the economic vitality that is so critical to our city’s future.
Click to offer feedback
I offer the following to answer questions and respond to various feedback regarding my article printed on February
15, 2007 titled “An Economic Base for Ogden”.
Just as previous community leaders were progressive and had a “can do” attitude, we must also be positive and
forward thinking. For example, in 1871, soon after the transcontinental railroad came to Ogden, a battle waged
between Corinne and Ogden to determine which community would become the junction for the two main railroad
companies of the time. Recognizing the importance of establishing Ogden as the critical East-West junction, 131
acres (the current Ogden rail yard) was acquired by Brigham Young and then offered for free to the two rail
companies if they would bring their central junctions to Ogden City. In addition, Brigham Young and other
community leaders built the Utah Northern Railroad, offering an alternate route that largely bypassed the
developing Corinne rail yards. By 1874, the effect of these actions had caused the decline of business in Corinne,
and Ogden ultimately became the Junction City of the Transcontinental Railroad Line sustaining the economic
base of Ogden for the next 100 years.
We must emulate this progressive “can do” attitude as we compete with other communities world-wide to
establish Ogden as a high adventure recreation destination with the powerful potential to re-fuel our economic base
for generations to come. Even though the current concept of becoming a high adventure recreation destination is
less than two years old, there are some compelling parallels that are generating much optimism and excitement
with investors, businesses and citizens.
Just as the railroad brought jobs, various current high adventure businesses are bringing jobs. Some are high
paying executive jobs, some are average paying jobs and others are lower paying jobs. In any case, as Ogden
pushes forward and creates a better environment for these businesses and their workers, other companies will
follow and Ogden’s traditionally lower average wages will likely rise as job opportunities increase.
Just as the railroad brought industry, such as canning and livestock, who’s owners recognized the importance of
being located in a main transportation hub, the high adventure focus has brought many ski industry companies
and promises to bring many others that recognize the collaborative advantages of being part of a centralized ski
industry hub. In addition, a buzz of excitement has swept across the country regarding this little town in Utah.
Just as the railroad brought travelers into Ogden, the high adventure infrastructure and various venues will bring
many visitors that will come to enjoy the conglomeration of high adventure activities. In addition to the high
adventure infrastructure we already have, such as local ski resorts, Pine View Reservoir, Willard Bay and miles of
biking and hiking trails, we must build and market other targeted high adventure activities that will ultimately bring
new people and new dollars into our community. Hundreds and thousands of people will have specific reasons to
enjoy our events and spend money in our community.
Just as the key to the railroad’s success was the establishment of the rail infrastructure, it is also a key to
establishing Ogden’s success as a high adventure “hot spot”. The following infrastructure initiatives are a few,
among many, that are generating even more excitement...
- A professional water skiing park and outdoor amphitheater on the 21st street pond – that will attract
thousands of professional water skiers who frequent regional venues in Denver and along the east coast.
- A year round ice climbing tower and outdoor ice climbing and rock climbing venues that is already
beginning to attract climbers from across the country.
- An underpass under 12th Street connecting the North and South ends of the Bonneville Shoreline trail,
completion of our river parkway and the intent to create 100 miles of new trails in our community. These
will bring utility to Ogdenites and create ambiance for those who frequent downtown hotels and conventions.
- The Malan’s Basin and Mountain & Urban Gondola developments, etc., that would give easy year-round
“metro to mountain” high adventure access to traveling family vacationers currently being targeted by the
Ogden/Weber Convention Visitors Bureau.
I am not suggesting that we encourage high adventure infrastructure without appropriate due diligence and public
debate regarding the best things for our community. However, I am saying that those who had vision enough to
entice the railroad, bringing 100 years of prosperity to Ogden, should be an example of how we can maintain an
attitude of faith, honestly recognizing possible benefits and carefully evaluating impacts of each proposed project.
We then can choose those that will move us towards economic vitality for the next 100 years. A reasonable
approach for each Ogdenite is to refrain from closed minded obstructionism, and be unified in cautious optimism
as we work together to re-establish the economic vitality that is so critical to our city’s future.
Click to offer feedback