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Editor's note: It was originally reported that Ogden City has purchased, remodeled and sold hundreds of homes since 2005. City community development manager Ward Ogden said that number is around 120.OGDEN — On Monday morning, Liliana Martinez had no idea why city workers were busy preparing a home across the street for demolition.
"It's just sad that they have to tear it down," Martinez said, looking at the home she had seen every day over the past 21 years. "I hope it's for the best."
The home, located at 2748 Gramercy Avenue, was condemned because inspectors said it had become contaminated from meth use. Furthermore, Ward Ogden, the city's community development manager, said failures in the foundation make it unsalvageable.
"We feel like this is a good opportunity," Ogden said, talking about several homes the city has recently purchased along the street. "We can get our hands on five really poor homes, and we feel like we can make a big difference here on this street."
"We feel like this is a good opportunity. We can get our hands on five really poor homes, and we feel like we can make a big difference here on this street." Ward Ogden, Ogden Community Development
The demolition is part of a long-standing project to revitalize parts of downtown Ogden. Hundreds of homes have been purchased, remodeled and sold since 2005.
"We do the right thing," Ogden said. "We always restore the homes. We restore the mechanical, electrical, the plumbing; and often put new roofs on and driveways."
The program is funded through city funds and federal grants. Ogden said with the help of those subsidies, the city has more freedom to make significant improvements than the typical investor.
Mike Anderson/KSL-TV
By early afternoon Monday, Martinez and her parents watched as a backhoe tore the home to pieces.
"I've lived here for a long time, and I've seen so many things happen through this street," Martinez said.
While she said she'd never been aware of meth use in the home, she and her family had become suspicious of people who were frequenting it. Now Martinez is hopeful a new home will help bring a positive change to the area.
"We've had great neighbors and bad neighbors, but it's still a great neighborhood," she said.
