Council hears plans for Exchange Building transfer to defense firm, downtown managed parking and clean energy program; no votes taken
April 7, 2026, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard
The Ogden City Council took no formal votes at its April 7 meetings. At the afternoon work session staff presented a proposed land transfer and development agreement for the historic Exchange Building, the downtown managed parking rollout, HUD action plan amendments and a community clean energy program. In the evening meeting, residents spoke on a federal immigration facility, the clean energy program and other issues.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Development
Exchange Building land transfer and development agreement (work session)
Discussed
Assistant Economic Development Director Kelli Pendleton presented a plan to transfer the city-owned, 9,500-square-foot art deco Exchange Building, built in 1931 for the Ogden stockyards, to developer Thayne Fisher of Fisher Reagan Enterprises for rehabilitation as the headquarters of defense contractor GMRE. GMRE is expected to bring about 60 direct jobs and 45 indirect jobs, an estimated $17 million in economic impact. The city had set aside $1 million for stabilization, which staff said would fall short; the proposal uses those funds as an incentive for preconstruction costs. Timeline: conveyance within 30 days, design and permit applications within four months, permits and financing within six months and core and shell completion within 18 months. Council Member Washington asked about city indemnification for environmental issues; Community and Economic Development Director Jared Johnson said the city had already completed three phases of soil testing and removed one leaking tank, so this formalizes existing responsibility.
- Grant$1.00 million to Fisher Reagan Enterprises
- Developer: Thayne Fisher, Fisher Reagan Enterprises
- End user: GMRE, a defense company relocating its headquarters
- Jobs: about 60 direct, 45 indirect
Roads and utilities
Downtown managed parking: outreach and rollout (work session)
Discussed
Staff said 17 solar-powered kiosks would be installed on 25th Street from Wall Avenue to Washington Boulevard, Kiesel Avenue from 22nd to 24th Street, the 300 block of 23rd Street, Electric Alley and at the Ogden Airport, with use of the Passport app. Interstate Parking would supply parking ambassadors, with a 30-day trial focused on education and a go-live in June. Members asked about accessibility, other languages (materials will be available in Spanish), enforcement during the transition and operating hours, which were still being finalized. Ordinance changes and fees were to be presented the following week.
- ContractAmount not given to Interstate Parking
- ADA stalls remain free for two hours
Budget
FY2026-2030 Consolidated Plan Amendment #2 and FY2027 Annual Action Plan (work session)
Discussed
Staff presented the HUD plans that govern Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds. The amendment would let target-area improvements fund parks and ADA work. The draft FY2027 budget includes $500,000 CDBG and $751,923 HOME for purchase-rehab-resale of four homes, $40,000 for emergency repairs, $500,000 HOME plus $100,000 match for down payment assistance (50 loans), $72,883 for infill housing, $179,629 for target-area improvements, $250,000 for microenterprise help, $350,000 for small business loans, $744,580 for rental assistance and $525,871 for administration. Award amounts were expected by May 3; a public comment period ran April 4 to May 4 with a hearing set for May 12 and HUD submission by May 15. Council Member Lundell raised short-term rental use of program-assisted homes.
- Grant$500,000
- Grant$744,580
- Public hearing scheduled May 12; submission to HUD by May 15
Other
Community Clean Energy Program agreement (Utah Renewable Communities) (work session)
Discussed
Sustainability Coordinator Lorenzo Long and Utah Renewable Communities Board member Glade Sowards described the program approved by the Utah Public Service Commission in March, in which participating cities' customers of Rocky Mountain Power are enrolled by default and can opt out. The initial rate is $4 a month for residential customers, with automatic credits for low-income customers; non-residential customers pay $0.006 per kilowatt hour. A $30 residential fee applies to opt-outs after free opt-out periods. Cities must adopt an ordinance by June 2. Chair Hyer questioned reliability, rule changes and the opt-out structure; a follow-up work session was set for April 21.
- Fee$4
- Opt-out notice in November, program starts January 2027
Other
Public comment: immigration facility, clean energy program and other issues
Discussed
Residents asked for a compliance review, fire inspection and written determination on the conditional use permit for the federal immigration facility at 2487 South 1620 West. On the clean energy program, supporters cited choice, cost savings and sustainability; opponents objected to the opt-out structure and asked about transparency and cost. Other speakers raised Weber County Sheriff funding, 287(g), parking at a proposed 16th Street townhome project, and water. Mayor Nadolski said the administration could not substantiate overnight holding or hours violations and would seek permission for a fuller fire inspection. Council Member Lundell said staff made a drive-by inspection. City Attorney Gary Williams said the supremacy clause limits local ability to obstruct core federal functions.
What residents said
Immigration facility permit compliance and fire inspectionOpt-out structure of clean energy programParking at proposed 16th Street townhomesWater supplyWeber County Sheriff funding
About a dozen speakers asked for accountability and enforcement of the conditional use permit at the federal immigration facility. Seven speakers supported the clean energy program and three opposed it as an opt-out structure with unclear costs. Other speakers raised Sheriff's Office funding and 287(g), parking at the proposed 16th Street townhomes, water supply, and called for unity; one asked for expanded ICE facilities to address crime.