RDA approves purchase of 2325 Madison Avenue for Quality Neighborhoods infill after debate on housing use

The Ogden City Redevelopment Agency on March 4 adopted a resolution to purchase the property at 2325 Madison Avenue (the Aspen Care Center property) for use in a future infill development under the city’s Quality Neighborhoods Initiative.

Jeremy Smith, presenting for the administration, told the board the purchase price was negotiated at $2,200,000 to make Weber Housing Authority “whole” for prior acquisition and expenses; the agreed funds would come from the Quality Neighborhoods Initiative program. Smith described the initiative as a long-running city program that has used infill development to stabilize neighborhoods and create homeownership opportunities.

Smith said the property is in the East Central neighborhood and that a future infill development could include single-family homes or townhomes targeted to homeownership. He summarized the schedule: the real estate purchase contract was executed Feb. 27, the RDA vote occurred March 11 (on the agenda recorded March 4), due diligence runs through March 20, and a closing was scheduled March 28. “The administration recommends a purchase of the property for a new infill development under the guidelines of the Quality Neighborhoods program,” Smith said.

Board Member Trevirka announced a conflict of interest for this item and recused himself, citing homeownership in a neighborhood that has benefited from the Quality Neighborhoods Initiative and saying he would leave the room for the vote.

Several board members and members of the public commented at length. Questions from board members and the public ranged from whether a historic-landmark application had been filed for the property to the timing of due diligence and whether the board should delay action pending review by legal or the historic landmarks process. Legal staff advised the board that they did not have facts to conclude a legal bar to approving the action that night; staff advised that the RDA could approve the contract and still use the due-diligence period to investigate outstanding issues.

Public comment included testimony both supporting and opposing the Weber Housing Authority proposal that had been discussed previously for the same site. Speakers described neighborhood impacts, public-safety and public-health concerns, and the needs of homeless and vulnerable populations. Theresa Bramwell and others supported the RDA vote; other speakers, including Emma and Sean Bishop, said they were disappointed the Weber Housing Authority proposal would not proceed. Heath Sotto urged the city to explain why legal options were not resolved sooner and asked whether developers were already being consulted about the property. Staff and the mayor said there had not been developer negotiations and that decisions about private development would be handled via RFP if staff pursued that route.

Board Member Blair moved and Board Member Graff seconded adoption of proposed resolution 2025-5. The roll call vote recorded aye votes from the board members voting and the resolution passed unanimously among members present; Trevirka had recused before the vote. After the vote, the board said staff would proceed with due diligence and look into the historic-designation application that was submitted that day.

The purchase contract price and schedule were described in the meeting: purchase price $2,200,000, due diligence period expiring March 20, and closing scheduled March 28. The administration emphasized that the due-diligence window allows staff and legal review and the possibility of dissolving the agreement if issues arise.