Ogden council hears Forest Service Building sale terms and Grant Avenue park rezone in work session
August 11, 2026, 6:00 p.m. · Council Work Room, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd.
In a 4 p.m. joint work session with the Redevelopment Agency, the Ogden City Council reviewed a proposed agreement to lease and then sell the former U.S. Forest Service building to the Giv Group and a rezone of three city-owned properties for park use. No votes on those items were taken; the Forest Service agreement was slated for September 8 and the rezone for September 1. The 6 p.m. meeting was canceled because there were no Redevelopment Agency items, according to the chair.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Work session · Development
Land transfer and development agreement for the U.S. Forest Service Building
Discussed
Economic Development Director Eric Gibson presented a proposed agreement with entities known together as the Giv Group (Imagine Jefferson 3 LLC or the Perpetual Housing Fund of Utah LLC). The city agreed in December 2025 to buy the 1930s building for $3.6 million using private bonds (Series A about $2.8 million at 4.18 percent; a smaller Series B at 5.28 percent), repaid from redevelopment tax increment with city sales tax as backstop; it has spent about $121,000 on upkeep through a contract with EML. Under the draft, Giv would lease the building for $1 a year, paying all costs, for up to three years, and must buy it for $2.8 million once it wins a federal low-income housing tax credit award; otherwise ownership returns to the city. Plans call for at least 24 homes, Weber State's Startup Weber as lead tenant on lower floors, and office and community space, tied to three other Giv properties in a combined application targeted at November. Chris Parker described a tenant wealth program with an annual rent rebate of 75 percent of net cash flow, an equity share at sale or refinance, an emergency fund and a homeownership pathway. Council Member Dave Graf noted the program is tied to Giv's nonprofit, not the building, so a later owner would not be bound; Council Member Jeremy Peterson asked how rebates are calculated. The $800,000 gap between purchase and sale price would be covered by tax increment. Formal consideration was set for September 8.
- Land deal$3.60 million to General Services Administration (seller)
- Land deal$2.80 million to Giv Group
- Contract$121,000 to EML
- Lease: $1 per year, up to three years
- Minimum units: 24
- Vote scheduled: September 8, 2026
Item Work session · Zoning
Rezone of 497 Grant Ave., 605 Grant Ave. and 253 4th St. to O-1 Open Space
Discussed
Planning Director Barton Brierley presented a proposal to rezone three city-owned properties, the former Lynn Elementary site at 605 Grant Avenue and two houses at 497 Grant Avenue and 253 4th Street, from R-1-6 Single Family Residential to O-1 Open Space to allow park expansion. The houses could stay in residential use until park plans advance. The Planning Commission recommended approval; a few speakers at its hearing raised mature-tree preservation. Council Member Flor Lopez said nearby residents had raised noise and other concerns, Council Member Alicia Washington asked whether housing on the school site was studied (staff said it was considered but the park was preferred), and Council Member Kevin Lundell noted a recently bought adjacent lot was not included. A Council vote was scheduled for September 1.
- Applicant: City of Ogden
- Current zone → proposed: R-1-6 → O-1 Open Space
- Planning Commission: recommended adoption
Item Work session · Other
Fiscal Year 2026 Fraud Risk Assessment
Discussed
Assistant Accounting and Budget Director Korahle Jensen reported the city scored 355 of 395 points on the State Auditor's assessment, the same as last year, keeping it in the low-risk category. It scored zero on required state training for governing-body members and on having a formal internal audit function; staff said an internal audit division has not met a cost-benefit test and outside auditor HBME has not recommended one. Targeted outside reviews are an option if the Council has specific concerns.
Item Work session: Council comments · Other
Council comments: ICE facility tour and FrontRunner funding
Discussed
Council Members Flor Lopez and Alicia Washington said they had toured the ICE holding facility; Lopez described two holding rooms of up to 25 people each, and Washington said she would meet with administration before releasing her written report. Vice Chair Graf reported a $1.3 billion federal grant for FrontRunner double-tracking from Ogden to Provo, 10 new train sets and a maintenance facility, with completion around 2030.
Item Work session · Other
Closed session
Approved · 7-0
The Council voted to go into closed session at 5:00 p.m. under the open meetings law; the minutes do not say which purpose applied. It reconvened at 5:35 p.m.
What residents said
Forest Service Building sale termsTree preservation at Grant Avenue siteICE holding facility