There are a couple of Emerald City related items in this morning's Standard-Examiner; perhaps not exactly the red-meat stuff that we normally discuss here at Weber County Forum, but notable enough to deserve at least a mention on a slow news day.
First, there's this brief note in the Std-Ex section B sidebar informing us that the Ogden City RDA Board has taken preliminary action put itself into even deeper hock, last night approving "...'parameters for the sale' of up to $3.2 million in tax-increment revenue bonds to enable an expansion of Fresenius Medical Care. The Std-Ex gave us the full lowdown on this new bonding in an article yesterday, from which we plucked this remarkable quote, from Ogden City economic development guru Dave Harmer:
The cost to acquire the land and move the bus facility to a new location, near 1900 West and 2100 South in West Haven, was initially projected to be about $6 million, said Dave Harmer, the city’s community and economic development director.While it appears that the RDA Board has no choice in the matter, inasmuch as the Board agreed to build a new bus facility as part of the deal to acquire the formerly Weber County owned Fresenius expansion property, we can't help but raise our eyebrows that the original cost estimate fell short by more that 50% of the facility's actual $9.2 million price tag. Harmer and the rest of the economic development crew are paid big money to spin the dials and pull the levers for the Ogden City redevolopment agency, raising the natural question: What the heck are we paying these high-priced suits for, anyway? Can anyone within our vast WCF readership shed some light on how Dave Harmer's estimates could have turned out to be so incredibly wrong?
However, that price tag has grown to $11.3 million because construction costs have risen and there is a need to build a 600-foot-long, four-lane road at the site, Harmer said. [Emphasis added].
In the second item, Scott Schwebke reports that Boss Godfrey unveiled at last night's council work session the five new exciting new venues mentioned in Monday's Std-Ex teaser story, and here they are (drumroll) -- as first revealed to the council last night:
• An indoor waterpark and aquatic center featuring an Olympic-sized pool.We don't know about the rest of you, but we barely got a moment's sleep over the last two days, wondering what grand new ideas Boss Godfrey had concocted to perfect our new marketing image as the world's mecca for "high adventure recreation." Having said that, we have to confess that none of these particularly "lifted our skirt." We don't regard these as bad ideas, mind you, however we did wonder whether any of them was worthy of two days' Godfreyesque mystery-style suspense.
• A velodrome, which is a specialized arena that would feature indoor tennis, cycling and archery. Godfrey envisions the facility being used to train cyclists for the Olympic Games.
• An outdoor BMX bicycle track.
• A facility that Godfrey described as a “skatepark on steroids” that would aim to be the best in the nation and a major tourism attraction. “Kids (who skateboard) will travel the country looking for the best parks,” he told the city council
• Separate equestrian and mountain bike trails that would begin near 20th Street and Ogden Avenue, extend along a bluff owned by the city and end near the mouth of Ogden Canyon.
We're pressed with private business this afternoon, so we're forced to be brief. Nevertheless, we will reveal one more great idea which occurred to us while biting our nails the past couple of days, whilst awaiting Godfrey's latest "revelations." Imagine these electro-mechanical devices placed in recreation stations, bars, cafes and kiosks all around our town. This would be a sure money-maker, we think -- something we're sure RAMP Fund administrators will simply be unable to resist.
Imagine hundreds of these devices, strategically scattered all over town. We could dub them "Whac-a-Matts" (Click to enlarge image):
We crack ourselves up...
Please feel free to consider this an open topic thread.
19 comments:
The world is waiting to hear exactly what does "lift your skirt."
Any ideas?
If by that you mean you don't like our "Whack-a-Matt" concept, then we're deeply disappointed in your lack of vision.
Next!
Dear well?
Having a water and sewer system that works?
Godfrey's list:
These are --- with the possible exception of the velodrome --- traditional urban park/recreation venues. The question then is which of these --- all or some or none --- the voters of Ogden want to see the city add to the recreational mix, and are willing to have the city pay for.
Yes, a year round olympic pool and water sports complex would be very nice. Are we willing to bond and pay for it? Equestrian and bike path? Fine ideas and likely to cost little. Velodrome? Many cities have indoor tennis facilities for the colder months, and it would double as that. Do we want to finance it? And its continuing operating costs? Outdoor BMX track? Some cities have these; they are popular in the warmer months. Does Ogden want to create one and pay the costs, as a "park," to run it? Ditto skate park. Lots of cities have them. Do we want one on steroids?
Have to admit, though, the Mayor's reason seems to have slipped a cog or two on the "skate park on steroids" when he told the Council "“Kids (who skateboard) will travel the country looking for the best parks." Uh huh.
All of these seem reasonable for cities to create to increase recreational opportunities for their residents. But some come with substantial construction, maintenance and operating costs [velodrome, pool complex] while some come with a much lower buy-in and maintenance bill [bike and horse trail, bmx park, skate park]. In the case of the projects that will require bonding, the city's voters should be able to decide if they want to fund the projects or not.
Is it just me, or were others also struck by the lack of specifics in the mayor's "proposal"? Why even discuss this stuff when we have no idea how to pay for it? RAMP won't make much of a dent in the cost of most of these projects.
None of these proposals passes Curmudgeon's "Silver Bullet" test.
I take minor exception to Rudi's game, as I conceived the Whack-A-Geiger model back in early 2006.
THE SKI IS BEAUTIFUL BLUE
I'm in favor of most of these items. The velodrome is the most expensive and thus the most in question. All of these activities have wider appeal than an ice climbing tower. All of these activities are healthy and worthy of community support as is golf at Mt. Ogden. What kind of curmudgeonly(no offense Curm) community would we become when the elements that define quality of life leave recreation out of the equation. The skatepark and BMX park are, by far, the most bang for the buck. Skateparks can be built for well under 250k. Concrete BMX parks are similar. They would be well suited to downtown and enliven and stimulate a healthy youth culture. Some say the answer to juvenile crime is more cops and enforcement. I say more individual recreation activities. A spectacular one acre skatepark costs a fraction of the flowrider. Skaters of all ages do travel around to the most challenging skateparks. The most recent skateparks are indeed on steroids. They are masterful sculptures of concrete and landscaping. We need a solid youth culture. That's what's builds the future. Most of the youth I talk to can't wait to leave. Typical post-high school hometown syndrome. Facilities like this can reverse that trend. Skateparks require no refrigeration, lawn maintenance, or power except for night lighting.
Well is the Mayor planning on buying the old Golds gym from his buddy Nieleson, since it does have a large pool, the basketball courts or running track could be a velo drome. Skate park could be improved at Lorr Farr park and is easily accessed via the river parkway. Some good ideas with more study and costs in the mix, also the liability for accidents since it would be run by the city on city property.
After the riverfront is cleaned up, so we don't have too many projects started or promised and then sit empty with weeds growing.
Tec:
And as you suggest the major beneficiaries of each of them would be Ogden and Ogden area residents... not sports tourists.
Where is the money going to come from?
All these ideas are run of the mill.
Just a bunch of crap so Godfrey can keep funding Kier, Wadman, and his other contractor cronies.
blcc says,
Gosh, and I was really hoping for a bungee jump from the top of Ben Lomond hotel - without a crash pad! Now that's really high adventure! I wonder if the city can afford the liability insurance? Can't be too much more than paying out when a crampon spikes someone's calf while climbing on the wonderful popsicle that Godfrey wants.
Actually Dan, the lying little mayor's mini mouthpiece, Todd Brenkman, the non existent Pro in charge of the the beatifull and challenging Mt. Ogden Golf Course, since 2005, though he states it wasn't official till 2006, ( and prefer's the title of "Director of Golf", since "pro" infer's playing and teaching ability), has offered us a likely possibility. While badmouthing the very facility he's supposed to be promoting, saying there are only 4 good holes, and bent on furthering the dire need for his bosses 6 million plus overhaul,( destruction) he's benn telling golfers that the rest of the money will come from developing all the land around the course for very expensive upscale houses, million dollar homes it was. As you are aware of the total acreage, do the math. Lying little matty see's lots of dollars in the area currently designated open space and trails. Is the thorazine addled Wayne Peterson hiding behind door number 3?
Bill...
But... but... but... I thought the mayor took all that parkland "off the table" during the election. Surely he wouldn't go back on his word, now, would he?
Gosh, it appears that the Mayor is completly ignoring the urban wilderness area concept advocated by the local chapter of the Sierra Club. This one certainly looks like a win win situation. Little cost to Ogden and can advertise wilderness hi-adventures to all of those sought after tourists.
Jason, I recall your initial "whack a geiger" concept. As I remember it was to be placed near the "baby fur seal clubbing bonk" an attraction cooked up in cavendishs' basement "little boy torture chamber, and pedophile photography studio", also known as the lift ogden clubhouse. The "baby seal bonk" was lying little matty's grand idea to lure would be Arctic high adventure thrill seekers that are afraid of the cold. It's the same princile as luring would be ice-climbers to an artificial icecicle in July or August, but with no parkas gloves or cramp-ons required. Just an abundant supply of imatation stuffed baby seals, with bladders containing catsup to simulate the bloody mess that a deranged animal sadist derives his great thrill from. Oh, and rental clubs.
Jason's absolutely right. The original inspiration for "Whack-a-Matt" came from the first comment under this article.
Jason W. said...
I would attempt a reincarnation of Wayne Peterson's famed Squirrel Patrol and advertise globally that our cadre of varmint-hating, forward-thinking, gondola-loving, silly, veracity-despising dupes, psychopaths, ex-truck drivers, trust-fund gravy-trainers, idiot heirs, ski knobs, jackasses and goofballs needs willing and able soldiers to rid OTown of its many nut caches. We would provide all patrolers with Patagonia vests and an endless supply of onion rolls; we would build our barracks by trading OTown's sidewalks for Whack-A-Mole games, as advocated by our delirious mayor, Lying Little Matty Gondola Godfrey, so that one-tenth of one percent of the world's population will play our fantastic whacking devices; we would forsake food, as the pure hatred of squirrels and love of gondolas are the only sustenance our bellies will accept. Ogden will become a squirrel-hating mecca, and this will be our great economic engine that will drive us into the future! Heed the call, brave Squirrel Patrolers, heed the call!
Your blogmeister has been chuckling over it ever since.
Dan S. --
From the I though it went this way dept ...
I thought the RAMP tax was supposed to be used for recrecreation, arts, etc. - that the citizens of our fair county could participate in, NOT for crazy schemes to attract tourists that want to pay BIG bucks to participate in, while our citizens are earning menial minimum wages running the projects.
The EVER Lovely Jennifer
If he can manage to wrangle a roller derby venue out of one of these new "attractions," I'm sold.
Just sayin'.
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