Defense Depot Ogden Utah
Encyclopedia
Defense Depot Ogden was a U.S. military installation located in Ogden, Utah
. It encompassed 1128 acres (5 km²) with its southeast corner located on 12th Street and Tomlinson Avenue. Its eastern border is the old Utah Northern Railroad, now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad
.
, under the command of the Defense Logistics Agency
(DLA), an agency of the Department of Defense
(DOD). The DDOU was used as logistical supply and administrative support for military installations and other DOD and federal agencies. The mission included the receipt, storage, maintenance, inventory and issue of items that included food, clothing, textiles, packages, petroleum products, pesticides, pressurized gases and general medical, industrial, construction and electronic supplies.
During World War II
, the DDOU was also used as an internment camp for both German and Italian prisoners of war.
The Depot had an Officers' Club that allowed Department of the Army civilian employees to enjoy the facility. A set of military houses between the front gate and the Officers' Club made it feel like a neighborhood. There was also an AFEES
store, as well as clothing sales. The commander changed from one service to another with each change but the commander was always a pay grade O-6 colonel
or captain.
The DDOU was listed in the Base Realignment and Closure
Act (BRAC) of 1995. As a result, the base ceased its functions on September 30, 1997. Management of the facilities was then handed over to the Hill Air Force Base
DLA, at which time the official name of the facility changed to Defense Depot Hill Utah (DDHU) Ogden Site.
After nearly ten years, and at the expense of $115 million dollars, the DDOU/DDHU became the Business Depot Ogden (BDO). The transition from a former military installation to a commercial park involved many changes to the street layout and buildings.
The local Ogden newspaper, the Ogden Standard-Examiner
, moved into a remodeled administrative building in the northeastern side of the BDO, investing in a new and much larger printing press for the new facilities.
Several notable Federal facilities continue to operate in the BDO. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) maintains a large facility on site as part of its local network of buildings in the Ogden area. The United States Army Reserve
continues to operate in its facilities, and a Deployable Medical Systems (DEPMEDS) unit, responsible for the refurbishment and supply of medical units, operated until 2002, when it moved to Hill Air Force Base.
Commercial facilities on site include, among others, Lofthouse Foods, ICON Fitness, Kenco Logistic Services, and the Standard Examiner.
Two new buildings totaling 280000 square feet (26,012.9 m²) and nearing completion have already been partially leased.
New road and construction area for several industrial buildings along the park's western border, and a planned 500000 square feet (46,451.5 m²) cross-dock warehouse will be built on a plot near the center of the park.
Boyer Co. has plans for both commercial and retail offerings along the busy 12th street border. This should include everything from restaurants to office buildings.
. Due to the nature of many of the activities that occurred under the DDOU's military supervision, groundwater and soil contamination are under an ongoing investigation.
Included in this history was the storage of 2,328, 55-gallon drums of hazardous waste
in 1993. This was part of a RCRA permit issued by the Utah Solid and Hazardous Waste Control Board. These drums were stored in a facility called the Conforming Storage Building. Storage of these materials ended in 1997, and the building was closed.
As part of the transfer of ownership to the OLRA, two Finding of Suitability to Transfer (FOST) documents were developed and approved by state and federal agencies. A total of 544 acres (2.2 km²) of uncontaminated ground were transferred to the OLRA. Further FOST activities are ongoing, and should eventually result in a nearly complete transfer of properties.
Ogden, Utah
Ogden is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. Ogden serves as the county seat of Weber County. The population was 82,825 according to the 2010 Census. The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a...
. It encompassed 1128 acres (5 km²) with its southeast corner located on 12th Street and Tomlinson Avenue. Its eastern border is the old Utah Northern Railroad, now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
.
History
Prior to the establishment of what was known as the Utah General Depot on September 15, 1941, the underlying land was used for pasture and farmland. The Defense Depot Ogden Utah (DDOU) was one of seven similar facilities located around the nation. The property entered the ownership of the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, under the command of the Defense Logistics Agency
Defense Logistics Agency
The Defense Logistics Agency is an agency in the United States Department of Defense, with more than 26,000 civilian and military personnel throughout the world...
(DLA), an agency of the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DOD). The DDOU was used as logistical supply and administrative support for military installations and other DOD and federal agencies. The mission included the receipt, storage, maintenance, inventory and issue of items that included food, clothing, textiles, packages, petroleum products, pesticides, pressurized gases and general medical, industrial, construction and electronic supplies.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the DDOU was also used as an internment camp for both German and Italian prisoners of war.
The Depot had an Officers' Club that allowed Department of the Army civilian employees to enjoy the facility. A set of military houses between the front gate and the Officers' Club made it feel like a neighborhood. There was also an AFEES
Army and Air Force Exchange Service
The Exchange is an agency of the United States Department of Defense. Its dual missions are to provide quality merchandise and services of necessity and convenience to authorized customers at uniform low prices, and to generate reasonable earnings to supplement appropriated funds for the support...
store, as well as clothing sales. The commander changed from one service to another with each change but the commander was always a pay grade O-6 colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
or captain.
The DDOU was listed in the Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
Act (BRAC) of 1995. As a result, the base ceased its functions on September 30, 1997. Management of the facilities was then handed over to the Hill Air Force Base
Hill Air Force Base
Hill Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force Base located in northern Utah, just south of the city of Ogden, and near the towns of Clearfield, Riverdale, Roy, Sunset, and Layton. It is about north of Salt Lake City. The base was named in honor of Major Ployer Peter Hill of the U.S. Army Air...
DLA, at which time the official name of the facility changed to Defense Depot Hill Utah (DDHU) Ogden Site.
Business Depot Ogden
As early as 1995, the City of Ogden appointed a committee to research the development of the DDHU. Much of this work was towards the conversion of the area into a commercial and industrial park. The Ogden Local Redevelopment Authority (OLRA) is charged with ensuring that the City of Ogden's DDOU Reuse Plan is properly implemented. The transfer of ownership was completed in 2003, giving the facility to Ogden City.After nearly ten years, and at the expense of $115 million dollars, the DDOU/DDHU became the Business Depot Ogden (BDO). The transition from a former military installation to a commercial park involved many changes to the street layout and buildings.
The local Ogden newspaper, the Ogden Standard-Examiner
Ogden Standard-Examiner
The Standard-Examiner is a daily morning newspaper published in Ogden, Utah. With 63,000 subscribers, it is the third largest daily newspaper in terms of circulation in the State of Utah after the Salt Lake Tribune and The Deseret Morning News...
, moved into a remodeled administrative building in the northeastern side of the BDO, investing in a new and much larger printing press for the new facilities.
Present
The City of Ogden and Boyer Co. entered an agreement early in the conversion process that forced any and all profit from the BDO to be diverted directly into investments in the facilities. This has been instrumental in the continuing expansion and development of the BDO. In October 2006, this agreement will expire, giving Ogden City and Boyer Co. even shares of future profits. In 2004, $7 million in revenue was seen, with an expected increase in 2005.Several notable Federal facilities continue to operate in the BDO. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) maintains a large facility on site as part of its local network of buildings in the Ogden area. The United States Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
continues to operate in its facilities, and a Deployable Medical Systems (DEPMEDS) unit, responsible for the refurbishment and supply of medical units, operated until 2002, when it moved to Hill Air Force Base.
Commercial facilities on site include, among others, Lofthouse Foods, ICON Fitness, Kenco Logistic Services, and the Standard Examiner.
Two new buildings totaling 280000 square feet (26,012.9 m²) and nearing completion have already been partially leased.
New road and construction area for several industrial buildings along the park's western border, and a planned 500000 square feet (46,451.5 m²) cross-dock warehouse will be built on a plot near the center of the park.
Future
The BDO is part of a larger plan to entice business to the Ogden area. As of 2005, there are already more employees in the BDO than there was when the facility was still operating as a defense depot. Both Ogden City and Weber County are investing heavily in the hopes that the BDO will be an important part of the health of the city and county for the next 50 years.Boyer Co. has plans for both commercial and retail offerings along the busy 12th street border. This should include everything from restaurants to office buildings.
Environmental impact
As part of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the DDOU was placed on the National Priorities ListNational Priorities List
The National Priorities List is the list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for long-term remedial action financed under the federal Superfund program. Environmental Protection Agency regulations outline a formal process for assessing hazardous waste sites and placing them on...
. Due to the nature of many of the activities that occurred under the DDOU's military supervision, groundwater and soil contamination are under an ongoing investigation.
Included in this history was the storage of 2,328, 55-gallon drums of hazardous waste
Hazardous waste
A hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. According to the U.S. environmental laws hazardous wastes fall into two major categories: characteristic wastes and listed wastes.Characteristic hazardous wastes are materials that are known...
in 1993. This was part of a RCRA permit issued by the Utah Solid and Hazardous Waste Control Board. These drums were stored in a facility called the Conforming Storage Building. Storage of these materials ended in 1997, and the building was closed.
As part of the transfer of ownership to the OLRA, two Finding of Suitability to Transfer (FOST) documents were developed and approved by state and federal agencies. A total of 544 acres (2.2 km²) of uncontaminated ground were transferred to the OLRA. Further FOST activities are ongoing, and should eventually result in a nearly complete transfer of properties.
External links
- Defense Depot Ogden at Global Security.org