County jail building acquisition and demolition
The council set aside $5 million in restricted ARPA-funded capital money to acquire and demolish the Weber County jail building at the municipal block. The mayor said the building is in disrepair and removing it would help expand the downtown plaza; the purchase price is not yet set.
- Where it stands
- Approved
- Type
- Public project
- Location
- Municipal block, 2549 Washington Boulevard area
- Applicant
- Ogden City
Every hearing and vote
July 8, 2025 · City Council
Ordinance 2025-21: FY 2025-26 budget amendment for $5 million in ARPA-funded capital money for county jail acquisition and demolition
Approved · 6-0
The council had two versions before it. Option one would have spent $8 million of restricted Capital Improvement Plan money: $5 million to acquire and demolish the county jail building at the municipal block, $2.5 million for the Union Station museum and campus and $500,000 toward an all-abilities park. Option two spent $5 million on the jail building only. The $8 million came from federal and state ARPA funds the city had to commit by Dec. 31, 2024, and had been set aside in a restricted account on Dec. 17, 2024; the council pulled the allocation back out of the FY 2026 budget on June 17 so it could be discussed separately. Mayor Benjamin Nadolski said the purchase price is not set but an appraisal has been secured, the total will likely be under $5 million, and leftover money is proposed for a shared jail facility with work release and mental health space. He said the building is in significant disrepair and removing it would help expand the downtown plaza. Four residents spoke in the public hearing: Travis Pate supported relocating the jail to reclaim park space; Laura Lewis asked why the building could not be repurposed; Heath Satow asked about costs and whether Union Station or the park would be delayed; Linda Sanchez supported the relocation. The council adopted option two on a 6-0 roll call; Choberka was not present for the vote.
- Overall fiscal impact of the ordinance: $70,755
- Option one (not adopted): $8 million split among jail building ($5 million), Union Station museum and campus ($2.5 million) and an all-abilities park ($500,000)