Some city leaders also see the gondola as boosting tourism for the city. Godfrey would like two, one for commuters and students, and a second that would go from WSU to Ogden Valley's resorts.

"It's unique. Streetcars are not terribly unique. They're in several cities across the country. We have a strong desire to have something unique," Godfrey said. Resort cities in Colorado — Aspen and Telluride — have gondolas as commuter transport lines.

However, the U.S. Census estimates Telluride's 2003 population as 2,321 and sets Ogden at 78,293. Dan Schroeder, chair of the Ogden group of the Sierra Club, said that the two cities are completely different.

"I know there are people who want Ogden to be the next Aspen or the next Telluride, but it's not," Schroeder said. He said that the environmental group was "delighted, but not surprised" at the study.

"If it (the gondola) were the best option, we'd support it, but the study made it quite clear that it's not," Schroeder said

No option has been ruled out. Schroeder sees the decision being made within the next five years and the project finished in the next 10.

"It's more important to get this right than to hit a deadline," Crandall said.

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E-mail: nandrews@desnews.com