Is Mayor Godfrey Now Exonerated?

There were several articles of extreme interest for Ogdenites in today's Std-Ex -- all of them "hidden" on the front page of the "C" section, which for inexplicable reasons is third-rate to the "Sports Section"....

The first was a Scott Schwebke report entitled "Task Force: RDAs Ok, need scrutiny".

What's happening with this "task force" is that they want to dismantle Tax Increment Financing for RDAs, and reallocate it to the other Big Spending beauracracies and taxing entities who are "champing at the bit" to find more money to spend. Without protected RDA TIF funding, Ogden folks...expect Ogden City to remain a deteriorating community forever. Now that the power of "Eminent Domain" is gone, TIF financing is the only powerful tool left to reconstruct our Ogden downtown area. Good riddence to Eminent Domain, I say, BTW. It was a nuclear device that stepped too hard on Individual liberty.

As for Tax Increment Financing -- It's a useful and powerful tool that doesn't hurt anybody. It only attracts private development, and reduces and mitigates property owners' tax bite.

The second Schwebke article: "Cinema complex next for mall site?" Our Mayor has been telling us there are developers waiting in the wings. Seems he's been telling the truth, contrary to the dire warnings from the "oppose everything" camp. At least one experienced private developer has now gone public, it seems:

"OGDEN -- The head of the company that developed the Gateway Mall in Salt Lake City said he is working to line up tenants for a proposed complex that would include restaurants, shops, offices, housing and a multiscreen cinema at the site of the former Ogden City Mall.
Steve Ostler, chief executive officer of the Boyer Co., discussed his firm's plans during a work session with Ogden's Municipal Building Authority regarding efforts to revitalize the downtown mall site.
Ostler did not divulge the identities of the prospective tenants or offer specific details on the proposed complex, but he said the multiplex theater would have stadium-type seating and a state-of-the-art sound system.
Construction on the first phase of the facility could begin this summer, he said...."

[...]

Full article

Rumor also has it that Larry Miller is ready to make an announcement today, regarding his proposed investment in Ogden's downtown center.

Could it be true that Mayor Godfrey was right all along?

What a blow that would be to the naysayer camp.

Comments, please!

Update: 5/18/05 SL Tribune article.