Council Candidates on the Trolley District

With the upcoming elections, residents in the heart of Ogden are contemplating their choices for Ogden City Council candidates. In an effort to help voters learn more about each candidate, we formulated a list of questions regarding the present and future of the Trolley District:

1. Historically the Trolley District was Ogden’s primary residential community. The neighborhood was connected to downtown via a series of streetcars that ran East-West along 21st, 23rd, 25th, and 27th streets, and the synergy between the neighborhood and the downtown resulted in a vibrant City overall. What role do you feel the revitalization of the Trolley District plays in the overall revitalization of the City of Ogden? How would you support community efforts to promote and enhance the Trolley District?

2. Currently Ogden City, in cooperation with UTA, UDOT, and other stakeholders, is undertaking a formal study of alternative alignments for an improved transit system (probably a streetcar) between downtown and WSU. Some of the proposed alignments would pass through the heart of the Trolley District and then continue south along Harrison Blvd., while other options would go south along Washington and then east on 30th or 36th, bypassing most of the historic Trolley District. What are your views on the trade-offs among the various alignments? Given the trade-offs and challenges, do you have a preference at this time?

3. Also relating to transportation issues, UDOT’s current long-range transportation plan calls for the expansion of Harrison Boulevard to 7-lanes. How do you think such expansion would impact communities along Harrison, including the Trolley District? Would you be an advocate for area neighbors in generating more sustainable and equitable solutions for Harrison? How would you approach the issue with the community and the associated public agencies?

4. Are there any other current issues that you think may have lasting impacts on the Trolley District, that area residents should be aware of?

So far we have received responses from the following candidates (click on their names to view their responses):


Municipal Ward 1
Jesse Garcia
Neil K. Garner

Municipal Ward 3
Doug Stephens
Patrick A. Dean

At Large Seat "A"
Mark B. Hains
Susan Van Hooser

At Large Seat "B"
Bart Blair
David Phipps(Disqualified)