The Ogden Mixed-Use Redevelopment involves the adaptive reuse of the now-vacant 58,000 sq. ft. historic Ben Lomond Garage in Ogden, Utah into a creative and arts-focused mixed-use development (the “Project”). The building was originally constructed in 1929 and placed on the national historic register in 2012.

The Project will provide a unique shared rental space for artists and creative professionals, private event space, exhibit space, a coffee roaster, and other restaurant and retail space. A “makerspace” was included, providing local small businesses with access to valuable shared space, resources and equipment at a low monthly rate. The reuse of the historic Ben Lomond Garage is a key element in Ogden City’s plan to revitalize the area, which has also included acquiring the crime-ridden hotel which was demolished, as well as creating the “Art Corridor” connecting two historical districts. The Project not only acts as a catalyst for additional development in the area, but also closes the “gap” to form a single walkable corridor between the two districts.

The Project is located in a severely disinvested area where the poverty rate is 34.5% and the unemployment rate is 20.1%, 2.54x the national average. In total, the project is expected to create 50 construction jobs and 160 new jobs, including 60 artist jobs. The majority of the jobs created were filled by residents of the low-income community.

Despite the building’s beloved history, this redevelopment would not have been possible without utilizing New Markets Tax Credits and Historic Tax Credits due to the unique nature of the project, its tenants, increased costs associated with rehabilitating an historic building, and location within a blighted community.

NMTC allocation was provided by DV Community Investment and Chase New Markets Corporation. JP Morgan Chase acquired the New Markets Tax Credits.