HOT and Heavy

Dynamic new fire stations are sprouting up across the Beehive State to handle rising population demands, with an emphasis on firefighter health and safety and maximizing space utilization.
By Taylor Larsen and Brad Fullmer

Perched on the east bench of Davis County’s most populous city sits Layton City Fire Station No. 54. The $4.15 million, 10,034-SF building is a picture-perfect firehouse. With some December snow nestled on the rooftop, it looks like Claude Monet painted it there. 

“It blends into the area perfectly,” said Travis Barnes, Superintendent for Centerville-based Hogan & Associates Construction. “The style of that building belongs there.”

Layton City relied on a well-coordinated design and construction team to create a station that would fit the area’s goals.

Starting Grade
The City and UDOT, during construction of the nearby US-89 reconstruction, readied the site for the eventual station that would allow fire trucks and ambulances to perform their lifesaving work. 

Building grades were different than anticipated and necessitated a change, according to Eddy Hogan, Project Manager, who worked with Jim Poloncic of Murray-based Think Architecture, to place the firehouse lower than originally designed. Doing so would ultimately save the city money on site work.

Siting the building correctly was imperative, as it would allow a complete 360-degree passage of fire trucks around the building. The site accommodates various emergency vehicles, with this “drive-thru” concept, positioning the building so that drivers can have clear views down the adjacent roadway in both directions when exiting the facility. 

Brad Wilkes, Fire Battalion Chief for Layton City, said a close working relationship helped create trust among the entire project team and instill confidence they were building a station fit for the growing city’s needs. 

“Working closely with Brad was interesting in understanding the fireman’s perspective and learning what was important to what we were building,” said Hogan.

Layton’s four stations receive 8,000 calls yearly including medical emergency, house fire, brush fires, and other critical services. 

To respond to those expanding needs, Poloncic designed a 10-ft longer bay to better accommodate seven vehicles including a ladder truck, brush truck, heavy rescue truck and ambulance. 

No Time to Waste 
According to Hogan, stick framing the building proved challenging with supply chain issues, with a shift in procurement practices aiding the process. Getting trusses to the job site during a volatile period of lumber availability and pricing required quick responses from owners to ensure purchased materials would match both the vision and budget.

It helped not just the pivot to new materials but guaranteed certain elements stayed true to the original design. Diesel scrubbers on the bay ceiling were a prime example, with Wilkes communicating that the AirHAWK brand was more important than getting a different brand of diesel scrubber. 

Other decisions shifted away from the original design. The project team decided on a more resilient and cost-efficient epoxy floor than the more aesthetic one, which would not deal as competently with the wear and tear of dozens of firefighters utilizing the building. Forgoing fancy finishes helped to speed the project along, but more importantly, helped Layton City honor its commitments to residents.

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Layton City Station 54 overlooks the city from the east bench. The meeting room and gear storage and cleaning room were designed to prioritize utility and safety for the firefighters. (Layton City Station 54 photos by Endeavour Architectural Photography

Functional Amenities for Functional Space

Even as the owner prioritized value over vanity, there is plenty of beauty to this building as it looks down from its hillside perch onto US-89. Masonry products make up 85% of exterior wall finishes, with darker beige and charcoal coloring of the four-inch honed block offering a nod to the nearby mountains the history of fire station design. 


Long roof overhangs give the building a sense of depth and grandeur on approach. Visible timber at the main entry and rear patio combine structural needs with a lovely visual approach. Firefighters can look out from the fire station’s west-facing patio into the valley and feel the pride in their public safety role.


Seven bedrooms occupy the residential side of the firehouse, with spacious, single-elevation shower bathrooms providing a charming aesthetic for their multifaceted purpose of keeping the firefighters clean.


New UFA Stations Focus on Occupant Health, Safety

Utah’s largest fire agency—Unified Fire Authority—is in the midst of a bonded $36.5 million, four-station building program that includes the recently completed $6.9 million, 16,635-SF Midvale No. 125 (December 2022) and three stations that will wrap up this year (Magna No. 102 and two stations in Eagle Mountain, Nos. 251 and 253). 


According to Zach Robinson, UFA Assistant Chief and a 25-year veteran of the department, new stations are designed with a focus on overall firefighter wellness, along with maximizing internal space of each facility.


“Firefighter health and safety is rising to the top of priority lists—it’s a national trend—and we wanted to be on the front edge of that,” said Robinson. “It was a huge approach for us on this construction phase,” with stations designed around a hot, warm, and cold zone concept that aims to eliminate outside contaminants from entering work and living quarters by confining them to decontamination corridors adjacent to apparatus bays. 


“The ideal situation is to get [firefighters] a shower within an hour,” he added. Air filtration systems and large ceiling fans also help process particulates in the air, and crew living quarters are pressurized so air flows out of the space. Hand and boot wash areas are also inside apparatus bays and gear is stored on rooms off the bay to further mitigate outside contaminates. 


Station durability and space optimization/flexibility were also key design elements, with a goal of “no wasted space,” said Robinson. “All areas serve a purpose. We utilized durable materials, like polished concrete floors, to reduce maintenance costs. We have thoughtful designs by our architects which allowed us to shrink the footprint of the stations.”


Another important feature is highly durable training rooms—Robinson called them “hardened training spaces”—designed with concrete blocks that allow for real-life training situations without damaging the building.


UFA has nearly 700 employees that serve approximately 450,000 people in 15 municipalities, plus unincorporated Salt Lake County. In addition to fire suppression and rescue services, UFA provides advanced life support, first response and ambulance services, hazardous material response, bomb response, code enforcement, and emergency management for all of Salt Lake County. 


Midvale No. 125 was the latest project for Salt Lake-based Paulsen Construction and proved arduous on the procurement side of the project.


“The biggest challenge we faced—which a lot of contractors are still facing—was the lead times for certain materials,” said Harold Saunders, Director of Business Development at Paulsen. “Electrical gear and lighting, along with glass, were a few of the items delivered to the project near the end. If you throw in weather delays, it can all wreak havoc on a project schedule.”

Strenuous, but satisfying for a firm that has built several fire stations in recent years and takes great pride in the importance of these facilities. 


Saunders said, “When you look at how many stations we have built in the last six years, it has been very rewarding to be involved in these key projects.”


Stoker Reflects on Father’s Architectural Legacy

Robert Stoker, Fire Chief of St. George City since 1998 and a veteran of 30+ years experience, oversees a department that has grown significantly during his career. What once relied almost exclusively on volunteer help from the community is now a department of eight stations with full-time crews and several more in the works.


“It’s amazing the growth and service demand that’s developed the past 15-20 years,” said Stoker. “We’re still a combo department with full-time, part-time, and reserve firefighters,” adding that he was the first full-time firefighter hired by St. George City in 1992 (he had been a volunteer since the mid-80s). 


Stoker also takes pride in the fact that his father, Leslie Stoker (who passed away May 2019 at the age of 79), designed several St. George fire stations, along with other key public buildings and the Tuacahn Amphitheater and Arts Center, over a notable 52-year career as an architect. 


Leslie’s last fire station project was No. 9 in the city’s Little Valley area, a building that finished design in 2019. After being on hold for a couple of years, St. George-based Watts Construction completed the build in May 2022. 


Stoker also said his father designed St. George No. 3 in Bloomington Hills, No. 4 in Bloomington, No. 5 in Green Valley, No. 7 at Dixie Downs, and No. 8 at Sun River. 


“It’s pretty neat to have that tie with him,” said Stoker. “He (designed) a lot of stations throughout Nevada and Utah, along with government buildings and schools. It’s neat to drive around these different cities and see his work.”


Two new stations are currently in the design phase, including No. 10 near the Desert Canyons development off Southern Parkway near the airport and a replacement for No. 1 at the corner of 400 East 100 South in the heart of the city. Over the coming years, Stoker said another three stations will likely be needed to service the Tonaquint area, the Ledges off Hwy 18, and the Desert Color development. 

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St. George Fire Station No. 9 was the last of several stations designed by Leslie Stoker (pictured) in the region before he passed away in 2019. His son, Robert, has been Fire Chief of St. George since 1998. (courtesy Robert Stoker; project photo courtesy Watts Construction)

Layton Fire Station 54

Owner: Layton City

Architect: Think Architecture

Civil: Excel Engineering

Electrical: Spectrum Engineers

Mechanical: Spectrum Engineers

Structural: Calder Richards Structural Consulting Engineers

Geotech: CMT Engineering

Landscape: Think Architecture

General Contractor: Hogan & Associates Construction

Concrete: Hogan & Associates Construction

Plumbing: Norm’s Plumbing

HVAC: United Team Mechanical

Electrical: JP Electric

Masonry: Rocky Mountain Masonry

Drywall/Acoustics: MG Drywall / Golder Acoustics

Painting: Hegemann Paint Co.

Tile/Stone: Westech Tile

Carpentry: Trim Art

Flooring: Diversified Flooring, Inc. 

Roofing: Rodac

Glass/Curtain Wall: Bountiful Glass

Waterproofing: Western States Waterproofing

Excavation: Hogan & Associates Construction

Landscaping: Lawson Landscaping




Midvale Fire Station No. 125 

Owner: Unified Fire Authority

Owners Rep: Construction Control

Architect: ajc architects

Civil Engineer: Talisman Civil Consultants

Electrical: BNA Consulting

Mechanical: WHW Engineering

Structural: KPFF

Geotech: GSH Geotechnical

Landscape: ArcSitio Design

General Contractor: Paulsen Construction

Concrete: A-Core Concrete/Milestone Concrete

Plumbing: Robert W. Speirs Plumbing

HVAC: Stellar Mechanical

Electrical: Boshard Electric

Masonry: JH Masonry

Drywall: Mt. Olympus Construction

Painting: Allied Painting

Tile: John Caffall Tile 

Millwork: MC Mill & Design

Flooring: Flooring Services

Roofing: Heritage Roofing

Glass: Mountain Valley Glass

Steel Fabrication: Dixie Fabrication

Steel Erection: Crockett Construction

Precast: Mesa Precast




St. George Fire Station No. 9 

Owner: St. George City

Architect: Mesa Consulting Group & Desert Edge Architecture 

Civil: Bowen Collins & Associates

Electrical: BNA Electrical Engineering

Mechanical: WHW Engineering

Structural: Provalue Engineering

General Contractor: Watts Construction

Concrete: Mountain States Contractors

Plumbing: Tom’s Mechanical

HVAC: Air Doctor Solutions

Electrical: HedgeHog Electric

Masonry: BA Robinson Construction

Drywall/Acoustics: B&S Drywall

Painting: Pacific Painting & Wallcovering

Tile/Stone: HB Flooring Solutions

Carpentry: Excel One Construction

Flooring: HB Flooring Solutions

Roofing: Flynn BEC LP

Glass/Curtain Wall: Faus Glass

Waterproofing: N/A

Steel Fabrication & Erection: Fab-Tec

Q&A with Nathan Goodrich

By UC&D • August 1, 2025
Nathan Goodrich

100 Years & Five Generations

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Paul founded Paulsen Construction in 1925 after immigrating from Norway 16 years prior. Sprague Library in Sugar House was originally built by Paul, and then restored nearly 100 years later, led by current President John Paulsen.

State of Industry; State of Progress

By Utah C&D • August 1, 2025
West Valley City Veteran’s Memorial Expansion Owner: West Valley City Architect: EDA Architects GC: Okland Construction Estimated Completion Date: September 2025

Showroom Showstopper

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
Commercial office is not dead. The market is alive and well, according to the design pros at HB Workplaces team. Their new office and showroom in Draper, and what it has done for employees and clients, is a case in point. All it took was a change in scenery. Transitioning from the B'Nai Israel Temple, built in 1890, to a new space was a welcome change for the team. "I just remember working between 2015 and 2020, and it was just," Keilian Meyer trailed off as he described the former office, a historic religious building converted into an office and showroom in 1987. Minimal natural lighting, rooms and layouts misaligned for team needs—their space wasn't bringing out anyone's best work. Meyer, Marketing Director for HB Workplaces, said going to work didn't engender a sense of engagement. "It was kind of punch in and punch out." But everything coalesced with their move. "The timing aligned perfectly," Meyer said of the June 2024 move and their rebrand from the year before from Henriksen/Butler to HB Workplaces. Dual Purposes Come to Life It aligned with every real estate broker's favorite word: location. Planting the HB Workplaces flag in the award-winning Baltic Pointe made perfect sense, especially with its epicenter locale between the booming economies of Salt Lake and Utah counties. HB Workplaces CEO Dave Colling summed it all up succinctly: "Our new headquarters is not just another building; it's a statement of our appreciation and stewardship of design, built upon decades-long heritage of our own, along with MillerKnoll, underscoring our commitment to excellence." The mass timber ceilings in HB Workplaces' first-floor office in Baltic Pointe—the first of their kind for a commercial building in Utah—are part of that commitment. Everything seems warmer, healthier, and better under the all-lumber ceiling. "We've always been drawn to inspiring architecture, and the natural warmth and intentionality of this structure made it a natural fit," said Meyer. HB Workplaces sought to make their mass timber home a showpiece for the beautiful and wide-ranging possibilities of today's commercial interiors, serving as an office for the HB Workplaces team and a showroom for interior designers and architects looking to envision their next project. That dual nature comes through perfectly across the space, with the showroom piece especially highlighted in the "Living Room" and its 382 SF of mid-century modern glory. The unforgettable Eames Lounge chair catches the eye, but closer inspection reveals some nods to the B'Nai Israel Temple's stained glass windows and other homages to the deep histories of the Herman Miller and Knoll brands. The room's mid-century-style lounge chairs, couches, ottomans, and side tables—all MillerKnoll line, of course—combine with gentle lighting to create the perfect spot for hosting. Brit Badger, HB Workplaces' VP of Client Development, explained how the Living Room is ideal for getting to know their design partners and clients, especially for a first meeting. "It's not all the same seating everywhere, like it would be at a conference room," she explained of how the varied seating choices—the Nelson Coconut Lounge Chair is often first dibs—help to create a relaxed and comfortable environment. "It's cool to see who chooses what. It's a fun way to start."

ASCE 2025 Report Card For Utah

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Bragging about a “C+” might seem gauche, but Utah is one of only four states to earn that high a grade, according to the May 28 release by the Utah Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) of the 2025 Report Card for Utah’s Infrastructure. The cumulative “C+” for the Beehive State is the highest mark ever given by ASCE to any individual state—the report card itself spans 12 categories of infrastructure and is virtually unchanged from 2020 (ASCE issues report cards every four years). Utah's grade is also one step higher than the national infrastructure average grade of “C” in the ASCE 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which dropped in March. Roads (B+) and Bridges (B) remain the stars of the class, as the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) continues to receive consistent state funding in furthering its aggressive program of building new projects to meet ongoing demand, while diligently maintaining existing infrastructure. “Our transit and transportation are doing fabulous," said Anna Lisonbee, President of ASCE Utah and an Engineer-in-Training at South Jordan-based Hansen, Allen & Luce. “UDOT and UTA are lauded as some of the most efficient [organizations] nationwide, so we’re doing very well in that category.” Aviation infrastructure was the only category to see a grade increase—somewhat predictable given the sheer amount of capital investment made over the past decade at Salt Lake International Airport, Provo Airport, and other regional airports statewide. Three categories—bridges, s tormwater, and transit—saw grade decreases. The remaining eight categories held steady from 2020. "Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and state leaders have taken steps to ensure the reliability of infrastructure systems as more people move here to enjoy Utah's thriving communities, amazing outdoors, and high quality of life," said Craig Friant, Utah Civil Practice Lead for South Jordan-based Wilson & Company and Chair of the 2025 Report Card for Utah's Infrastructure. Utah grades per category: Roads: B+ Bridges: B Drinking Water, Solid Waste, Transit: B- Aviation, Dams, Hazardous Waste: C+ Stormwater, Wastewater: C Canals: D+ Levees: D-

Toward The Promised Land

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
"What gets you out of Egypt doesn't take you to the promised land." The quote, as I first heard it, came from Ron Dunn, Founder of Salt Lake structural engineering firm Dunn Associates. While he was talking about the differences between founding and growing a company, the same principle holds true in developing a robust transportation infrastructure. In other words: "What got us here will not take us there." What has taken us here has been development dedicated to personal vehicles and last-mile freight—a stellar network of roads and highways from massive investments in horizontal construction. But what will get us "there" to the promised land? What will bring us to a future where Utahns can have the freedom to move without a car? Unified Plan for a Connected Utah? We'll certainly wander in the West Desert without a plan. Lucky us, we have hundreds of agreed-upon proposals across metropolitan planning organizations, cities and towns, counties, and even the Utah Department of Transportation. The Beehive State's guiding document toward long-term transportation plans, whether for cars or not, is found in the Utah Unified Transportation Plan, also known as the Unified Plan. The visionary document aims to prioritize funding across multiple transportation options and give residents choices, ranging from personal vehicles to mass transit and active transportation. Residents and metropolitan planning organizations across the state have added their input to further unify the state's trajectory. Key in Utah's Unified Plan, as documented, is analyzing and ultimately determining how transportation projects in Utah should be funded between 2023 - 2050. With projected needs across that timeline estimated at $153 billion in today's dollars, current revenue sources generating just under a projected $95 billion, and future revenue streams projected to generate just over $18 billion, we're going to be short. But where is that money going? Most often, it's funding roads. According to the Unified Plan, transportation needs from road capacity, maintenance, preservation, and operations project at a whopping $110 billion between 2023 - 2050, with a $29 billion funding gap in revenue. Funding future mass transit capacity ($14.8 billion) and operations ($19.8 billion) over the next 25 years costs a fraction of the projected costs for roads and highways. It's an apples-to-oranges comparison, admittedly, as massive funding for highways and freeways has created so much, but where do state priorities lead? Budget at a Glance Utah continues to tread the asphalt and concrete highway to prioritize highway funding. UDOT's FY2026 funding document shows $2.5 billion in funding. Estimated Transportation Investment Fund (TIF) expenditures, primarily used for improving or optimizing capacity, are projected at $1.2 billion. Within the TIF, Class B & Class C Roads, county roads and city streets, respectively, will receive $261 million, Highway Systems Construction $205 million, and Operations/Maintenance $254 million. It makes sense when $883 million in projected revenue for FY2026 comes from user-based fees, permits, and gas tax revenues (set to be 40 cents per gallon in 2026). On the other hand, UDOT-funded mass transit receives a bulk of its budget from the above-mentioned Transportation Investment Fund—35% of the index fuel tax sales tax goes into the Transit Transportation Investment Fund. For FY2026, transit and commuter rail projects will receive $103 million. John Gleason, UDOT's Sr. Public Information Officer, said there is a major shift happening within UDOT over the last decade-plus to give some "gas" to other forms of transportation. "All transportation is important to us. For every project we undertake, we are looking at the different components across all modes—cars, transit, bikes, trails," Gleason said. "We need to keep an eye on how the entire transportation system can function across the state." The words and shift in priorities are welcome, but what "Keeps Utah Moving", will not be more highway lanes or highway construction that receives the lion's share of transportation funding. Utah highways, like those in so many other states, are the victims of induced demand. The phenomenon is a matter of economics. For vehicle transportation, each lane added, highway developed, or road widened helps to expand capacity on these newly modified transportation corridors. However, expanding capacity does not mean solving traffic concerns. While capacity expands, more people are "induced" to use these freshly expanded corridors, lanes fill back to capacity, and commutes return to their sluggish nature. This never-ending quest to meet our transportation needs is set to play out again on I-15. UDOT is set to add another lane on I-15 from Farmington to Salt Lake, and do so at a multi-billion-dollar price tag. Surely this lane will be "The One" that fixes the traffic problem on Utah's busiest transit corridor? Utah may still be adjusting to roundabouts, but will we ever get out of this circle?

Limitless Sky

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Standing atop the now-tallest building in Utah—the dynamic 451-foot, 680,000-SF Astra Tower in downtown Salt Lake City—Lance Shields was succinct in describing the otherworldly, 360-degree views available from the 41st-floor rooftop patio. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” mused Shields, a Principal with Salt Lake-based HKS Architects and one of a half-dozen architects on HKS’ team who contributed to the design of Astra Tower, which features 377 total units, two levels of penthouse suites, and more than 40,000-SF of top-shelf amenity space. Peering southeast to majestic views of the Wasatch Mountains, Shields referenced the striking cantilever structure gracing the building’s southeast corner—a concession that preserved the breathtaking view by eliminating what would have been a structural column. Adding this approximately $2 million change to the bottom line only further illustrated the owner’s desire for a world-class luxury apartment tower. “The uninterrupted views of the valley are really breathtaking at the top floor and is the one thing that visitors I have taken through the project consistently comment on as the best experience they have had,” said Shields, adding that it would have been easy to justify a column in that corner. “I have to hand it to the vision of our team and the owner to see the value of the views and taking steps to preserve it.” Indeed, Boston-headquartered Kensington Investment Company (KIC) had been eyeing the Salt Lake market since 2017, ready to make a splash. In 2018, it purchased the site once home to Carl’s Jr. and hired HKS in 2019 to get the ball rolling on the design side. The pandemic forced KIC to pause its timeline, with construction formally kicking off in January 2022, led by Salt Lake-based Jacobsen Construction. “We were taking an enormous risk and writing a massive check while making sure we had as many people with experience on our team as we practically could,” said Ed Lewis, CEO of KIC. “We asked ourselves if Salt Lake City was ready for this kind of product—with no [like-building comparisons] to look to—while making the project financially successful. Putting together the capital stack with no comps in the state, and ensuring the team knew what they were doing, was challenging.” Engagement with the community was a priority from the start, said Shane Rensmon, President of Real Estate Development for KIC, as was finding local A/E/C firms with the moxie to take on a unique hybrid design-build project of this magnitude, a delivery method “not common in Salt Lake City, but common across major markets,” he said. “Ownership wanted to utilize local consultants and vendors as much as possible to get the community involved and engaged with the project, which presented new challenges in designing and constructing Astra Tower,” said Rensmon. “We leveraged [KIC’s] skills and experiences to help guide the design and construction teams on issues that they have not seen before or had little to no experience in.” Hotel-like Vibe with Unmatched Amenities Emir Tursic is no stranger to massive projects, having cut his teeth in the hospitality realm as a draftsman-turned-project architect for HKS on Block A of the enormous $10 billion MGM City Center project in Las Vegas from 2007-2008, which included the 61-story, 600,000-SF Aria Hotel. “It was a project I grew up very quickly with,” recalled Tursic, Office Director for HKS’ Salt Lake office, who ended up managing part of the project before it ended. “After this, I could go to the moon and not be scared of anything.” Even amidst the challenges for Tursic and his team, Astra Tower proved to be one of the most exciting, generational opportunities in the realm of world-class residential high-rise design that—ho-hum—also sets a record as the state’s tallest-ever building. “We wanted to create a sustainable urban community that focuses on wellness and sustainability,” said Tursic. “Sustainability is not just about energy and carbon footprint, it’s also [about] health and wellness and the environment. We have this huge amenity program—40,000 SF of indoor and outdoor amenities space focused on physical and mental health.” Tursic said dispersing major amenities across three building levels was a key functional design consideration. Level 8 kicks things off with an expansive club lounge that includes a demonstration kitchen and entertainment area, a state-of-the-art fitness center where views overlook Gallivan Plaza, a remote office space with a conference room and meeting rooms, and what Tursic calls “The bonus space”—an expansive 10,000 SF outdoor urban park. “Instead of a roof on top of the eight-story parking structure, we created a space with an outdoor lawn, hammocks, fire pits, grills—it’s a great social space for Astra’s residential community,” he said. Level 23 includes the outdoor pool and indoor spa, highlighted by a wellness center, steam room, sauna, recovery spas, treatment rooms, and private locker rooms. The pool deck overlook offers excellent views of the Oquirrh Mountains to the west. Level 41 tops the amenity spaces—literally—with an outdoor kitchen, entertainment area, and a spacious outdoor viewing deck that looks down on Salt Lake’s adjacent tallest buildings. “We wanted to provide a variety of experiences,” said Tursic. “The 41st floor is meant for quiet and solitude.” ROAM Interior Design of Los Angeles provided interior design on every level. "With Astra Tower, we set out to design interiors that reflect both the soul and natural beauty of Utah, infused with the energy of modern city living," said Deanne Teeter, Design Director at ROAM. “Every amenity—from the tranquil spa on the 23rd floor to the rooftop lounge with panoramic views—is intentionally crafted to foster wellness through biophilic connection and a true sense of home in the sky." “Astra Tower was purposefully designed to exemplify KIC's commitment to o perating market-leading apartment buildings, featuring state-of-the-art amenities and an unwavering dedication to service excellence,” said Joe Bird, Vice President of Real Estate Development for KIC. “This intentional design ensures an unparalleled living experience, blending sophisticated facilities with exceptional resident-focused service to set a new standard for urban residential excellence in Utah.”

One for the Ages

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Ralph L. Wadsworth watches demolition activity on the I-80/1300 East Bridge Slide in August 2023 with granddaughter, Bradynn Wadsworth (Tod’s daughter), illustrating his genuine passion for construction. (all photos courtesy RLW Construction)

Community First

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
First. Best. Leader. These are some of the many positive ways people described the late Marshall White, the civic hero and namesake of Ogden's past and future community centers. Marshall White is remembered as the first black police officer in Utah killed in the line of duty after being fatally shot in 1963. Equally important was his dedication to other causes outside of police work: the loving father of seven children; veteran and military doctor who helped establish a clinic at Hill Air Force Base post-WWII; youth mentor who partnered with the Elk's Club to establish the Wall Avenue Recreation Center; President of the Ogden chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Marshall White embodied community, and the original Marshall White Community Center, constructed five years after he died in 1968, was its physical manifestation. The building became a safe haven for youth, especially those with darker skin and different ethnicities from those of Utah "pioneer" ancestry, to learn to swim, take art classes, and participate in sports. But as time passed, the building fell into disrepair as Ogden's population shrank from the 1970s through the 1980s. Structural issues in the building appeared before a crack in the pool grew into a metaphorical chasm as COVID and its effects further disconnected society. Ogden needed champions who would follow in White's footsteps to bring people together, and create a space that would continue his community-building legacy. New Center; Relit Community Beacon Salt Lake-based VCBO was hired in 2020 to evaluate the old facility and propose future alternatives. It began, as VCBO Principal Brent Tippets described, "to replace a failing pool and building. […] It quickly became apparent that this community revolved around the Marshall N. White Community Center as both a gathering space and a historical icon for all minorities and people of humble circumstances." "Budget is always a challenge, but perhaps meeting all the affected parties' expectations was more so," said Tippets. "What was originally a pool and gymnasium replacement became a versatile destination with a plethora of participation options. He and the VCBO team worked with an Ogden City-appointed steering committee of passionate residents who provided valuable input on the importance and utilization of recreation and community spaces. "The Mayor, City Council, and City administration were committed to funding the project at the required level to achieve the grander vision for the facility," said Tippets. The Ogden City Council initially set aside $18 million and later increased the budget to $32 million for a new, 68,900-SF community building, doubling the size of the previous structure. Construction Challenges But challenges arose as soon as excavation commenced. Construction teams led by Vernal-based BHI encountered a dark, organic-looking soil that was previously undiscovered in geotechnical test borings. The surprise soil raised immediate concerns due to its lack of stability and reliability in compaction. BHI's history as an industrial contractor, where safety and lightning-fast communication are treasured, escalated the soil problems immediately. They collaborated and aligned with ownership, geotechnical engineers, and designers amidst evolving conditions to create a plan. Instead of utilizing native soils as initially planned, excavation teams removed the unsuitable material and imported structural fill from Ogden and nearby Plain City to meet compaction and bearing requirements, all while maintaining oh-so-important project momentum. "Working with Ogden City involved a different set of communication and coordination protocols than our typical projects," said BHI Superintendent Scot Marrot. "There was a greater emphasis on public transparency and adherence to specific city regulations. However, it was incredibly fulfilling to collaborate with the city officials who were passionate about providing a valuable resource for their community. The partnership fostered a strong sense of shared purpose and pride in the final outcome."

Daybreak: Then and Now

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
Thoughtful consideration on Oquirrh Lake transformed the initial idea for the water feature into a community and ecological asset. The 67-acre lake weaves around the 130-acre recreation space, residential area, and wildlife habitat. (Main rendering and photo pictured courtesy LHM)