Standard-Examiner: Godfrey Proposes a River Project Land Swap

Seems to us that Godfrey's proposal is an offer that Leshem can't refuse

As we enter the month of June, Ogden City's traditional arson season is upon us folks; and in recognition of that, this morning's Standard-Examiner reports that our ever-vigilant Boy Mayor, Boss Godfrey, has evidently decided to act proactively this year, in order to prevent another wave of arson fires in Gadi Leshem's River Project firetrap. Nosiree, it appears that Boss Godfrey's definitely not going to again get caught with his pants down in Leshemville this year, if he has any say in the matter:

Scott Schwebke reports this morning that Boss Godfrey is floating a clever land-swap scheme to deal with those derelict Ogden Riverfront Development Company properties once and for all:

• Deal for Ogden River park? Property exchange would allow for demolition of vacant houses

Seems to us that Godfrey's proposal has to be an offer Leshem can't refuse. Leshem can do it the easy way, by voluntarily going along with Godfrey's plan... or alternatively do it the hard way, it seems to us. The Ogden adminstration has ample tools at its disposal to abate the Leshemville nuisance, right there within the Ogden City Code, (with or without Gadi's help,) provided that Godfrey has the political will to get the problem fixed:

• Ogden City Code - Chapter 8 - ADMINISTRATIVE ABATEMENT OF NUISANCES

We've been arguing for quite a while that Boss Godfrey ought not embark on and new grand schemes or projects until he's finished the necessary spadework on projects he's already started. So we're thus delighted to see Boss Godfrey turning his attention back to the languishing Ogden River Project at long last.

According to Mr. Schwebke, Godfrey wants to horse trade for a small parcel to build a park:

The proposal calls for the city to fund the demolition, which McConkie estimated could cost as much as $500,000.
In exchange, the city would seek to have Ogden Riverfront Development and Leshem's wife, Miri, donate parcels totaling about three-quarters of an acre just north of the Ogden River to the RDA. The land would be combined with about 2 acres of adjoining property the RDA owns to create a public park, said McConkie.
"We think a park would be a great amenity along the river," he said.

Q: Oh where, or where will the 500 grand in demolition money come from, our readers may ask?
A: No problemo. Godfrey apparently believes the city has a cool $1 million layin' around, doin' nothin'. Problem solved.

Mr. McConkie is right. A riverside park is a great idea, wethinks; and those 40 derelict properties need to be leveled... like yesterday. The knuckleheaded velodrome scam can wait (til hell freezes, we hope). Time for the Council/RDA Board to roll up its sleeves and accomplish something truly useful. We'll definitely be sitting on the edge of our seat, hoping that Gadi will come out of hiding and wisely play along.

Comments, anyone?