Gondola funding request dropped

OGDEN — Mayor Matthew Godfrey says he has dropped a request for $8 million from the Utah Transit Authority to help fund a gondola system that would extend from downtown to Weber State University.

Godfrey said the $8 million originally requested from UTA is no longer needed because developer Chris Peterson says he can provide enough money for the project.

Peterson wants to buy Mount Ogden Golf Course from the city, redesign it, purchase about 150 adjoining acres from Weber State University and put upscale homes on some of the combined land.

The sale of Mount Ogden Golf Course and the adjoining property would be used by the city to fund its leg of the gondola, Godfrey said.

Godfrey said discussions with UTA are now centering on how the gondola, estimated to cost at least $20 million, would connect with the authority's bus system and proposed commuter rail.

Talks have also focused on ways that proceeds from transfer tickets enabling passengers to ride UTA buses, commuter rail and the gondola could be used to help offset gondola costs, Godfrey said.

"We are noodling through the details," he said. "We are exploring options."

UTA General Manager John Inglish said in a letter to Godfrey that before he could make a recommendation to the authority's board of trustees authorizing the $8 million, he would have to be assured the gondola funds would be used for public transportation.

Peterson also wants to purchase some additional city property adjoining the golf course and proposes to extend the gondola from Weber State University to his proposed resort at Malans Basin and possibly farther up Mount Ogden.