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Commission recommends Southtown commercial area plan for general plan to guide redevelopment and a possible daylighting of Coldwater Creek
Summary
The commission recommended adding the Southtown commercial area plan (Washington Boulevard, ~1900–2050 North) into the general plan. The plan, funded in part by a Wasatch Front Regional Council grant, proposes phased redevelopment, potential daylighting of Coldwater Creek and streetscape improvements to encourage future private investment.
The North Ogden City Planning Commission voted unanimously Aug. 20 to recommend that City Council adopt the North Ogden Southtown commercial area plan into the general plan. The plan covers Washington Boulevard roughly from 1900 North to 2050 North and focuses on phased redevelopment concepts, streetscape improvements and the potential daylighting of Coldwater Creek.
Scott Hess, community and economic development director, said the plan was produced with a Wasatch Front Regional Council grant of $100,000 and a city match. The study area includes the Cannery area, the old Macy’s plaza area, Kurtz Drive‑In and commercial parcels on the west side of Washington Boulevard. Hess said the plan offers a phased approach — short‑term streetscape and creek‑daylighting steps, mid‑term Festival Street concepts, and longer‑term redevelopment scenarios that would proceed as private properties become available.
Commissioners asked whether the study considered expanding the plan area south to 1700 North and whether the city would need to acquire property to achieve the vision. Staff said the plan intentionally defined a focused study area but could inform future planning beyond its current boundaries. Hess discussed mechanisms the city has used elsewhere — for example, surplus city land sales combined with negotiated outcomes — and noted a developer could also pursue rezonings consistent with the plan if property owners chose to redevelop.
The plan includes a conceptual project to daylight Coldwater Creek in a parking‑lot area near Kurtz Drive‑In and the Pizza Pie Cafe; commissioners noted a developer’s previously discussed storage‑unit expansion had contemplated opening the creek in that area. Hess emphasized the plan is not prescriptive and does not obligate property owners to redevelop, but it provides a shared vision that can make coordinated redevelopment more likely.
The commission closed the public hearing, moved to recommend adoption into the general plan and passed the motion unanimously. The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for consideration.
