Ogden City Council voted on Dec. 2 to adopt a resolution declaring the citys intent to pursue purchase of the former Taylor Canyon Elementary School site from the Ogden School District.

The action, Resolution 2025-23 as amended, does not commit the city to a purchase but notifies the district the city intends to enter negotiations under the surplus-property provisions of Utah state code, Jeremy Smith, a city staff member, told the council. Smith said the 4.23-acre site was demolished in 2022 and has functioned since as open space; the district notified the city Sept. 2 that it intended to surplus the property.

Council members pressed for more information before a final purchase, citing missing appraisals, unknown redevelopment and maintenance costs and whether the city fund set aside for park acquisition would cover the price. Smith said there is not yet a completed appraisal for the parcel; he estimated a commercial appraisal of this size typically takes about a month and usually costs in the ballpark of $2,000.

The council amended the draft resolution to remove a third whereas that stated the mayor and council had, through public engagement, determined there was strong community support to keep the property as open space. Vice Chair Hyer, who moved the amendment, said taking out that clause would preserve flexibility while the city obtains the appraisal and additional information. The amended resolution then passed on a roll-call vote.

Several council members and residents urged preserving the site as a neighborhood park. A council member who participated in neighborhood engagement said residents had organized gatherings and a survey, and that a parks-utilization study is near completion; the studys draft data are expected to be available by late December or early January, according to council discussion.

Speakers at the meeting also raised fiscal concerns. One council member noted estimates circulating in public discussion that the purchase would cost between $3 million and $5 million and pointed to the citys existing park redevelopment figures (Lester Park was cited as a $7 million example). Another council member said there was roughly $2 million in a fund set aside for future acquisition, though the final price will depend on the forthcoming appraisals.

Public commenters thanked the council for engagement, recommended alternatives such as lease or interlocal agreements that would let the district retain ownership while the city develops and maintains amenities, and suggested volunteer-funded improvements to limit the citys ongoing cost.

The resolution sets in motion the appraisal and negotiation process; city staff said the school district will also get an appraisal, and the parties typically average appraisals to determine a sales price before a binding real-estate purchase contract is negotiated. The council emphasized the resolution is a nonbinding step to preserve the citys right to negotiate under state statute and that any purchase would return to the council for appropriation and final approval.

The council plans to use the statutory 90-day window for further study and community engagement before any purchase contract is executed.