Ogden approves mall site deal

OGDEN — The City Council has approved a development and lease agreement with The Boyer Co. for most of the vacant land on the southern half of Ogden's downtown mall site.

Under the agreement approved Tuesday as the last act of the current council, The Boyer Co. will develop at least 50,000 square feet of retail space, at least 40,000 square feet of office space and a multiscreen theater complex.

Minus operating costs, the revenue from subleases to tenants will be split between the company and the city.

The council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency Board, approved the agreement and lease 5-0, with Donna Burdett and Amy Wicks absent.

The approval came despite calls by some to put off the vote until three new council members take office in January.

"This is our decision," Councilman Fasi Filiaga told two council members-elect in the audience. "You have plenty of things to do. . . . This is my last night, and I want it done."

Resident Mitch Moyes said the council should delay the vote because it did not hold a work session on the agreement and lease until last week.

"I think such a significant deal requires that we have a little more time," Moyes said.

But Gary Nielsen, owner of the Gold's Gym franchise, which will be part of the $18.5 million high-adventure recreation center on the north half of the mall site, told the council it should continue the momentum on the project.

"The old adage 'strike while the iron's hot' is very, very important in business," Nielsen said.

Jeff Gochnour, senior project manager for The Boyer Co., said earlier that the company and the city now can begin to negotiate a final site plan governing types and locations of uses. Then the company can begin to market the development to prospective tenants.