Tearing Down Washington, 1978-1980
Ogden Assistant Mayor Cliff Goff throwing a brick into the old Blimpe’s Shop
In the late 1970s the Ogden City administration, headed by Mayor Stephen Dirks, began to look for ways to revitalize the local economy. They made the decision to build a city mall in the heart of downtown, necessitating the demolition of all buildings along Washington and Grant from 22nd to 24th Streets. The project also closed 23rd Street from Washington to Grant and Kiesel Avenue from 22nd to 24th Streets.
Leaders believed the mall would draw more people to the downtown area and increase spending. It was called the renaissance of downtown Ogden and it was expected to reverse decades of neglect. The city didn’t have to condemn even one acre of property; it simply purchased them all at the rate of three parcels of land a day. Most retailers moved to new quarters either permanently or temporarily until the mall was completed.
Demolition began on May 31, 1978. Kiesel Tailor Shop at 371 23rd Street was the first building torn down. The Church of the Good Shepherd was spared, but the building directly east was removed and a masonry wall had to be built to shore up the building.
The mall was built for $50 million. Anchor stores included JC Penney’s, Weinstocks, Bon Marche, and Auerbach’s. JC Penney’s continued to operate in their old building until the mall was completed. The focal point of the project was the 104-foot pedestrian bridge spanning Washington Boulevard and connecting the mall to ZCMI.
The Ogden City Mall was completed in October 1980, and 4,000 citizens attended the opening. The mall remained open for over 20 years, but it was not as successful as Mayor Dirks and the city council had hoped it would be. The city purchased the property and closed it in 2002. Today it is the site of The Junction, an entertainment, retail and residential complex.
