The Junction (Ogden, Utah)

The Junction is a 20-acre (8.1 ha) entertainment, retail, office, and residential complex in downtown Ogden City, built on the site of the former Ogden City Mall. Its development has been coordinated and subsidized by Ogden City, in an effort to revitalize the city center for economic and cultural growth. The city has worked in partnership with the Boyer Company, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wells Fargo, and other private companies.

The Junction's main anchors are the Megaplex 13 theater and the adjacent Salomon Center, which houses Fat Cats bowling and arcade, Gold's Gym, FlowRider pool, iRock climbing wall, iFly indoor skydiving, and some small restaurants. These facilities opened in June 2007. Already open by then was the nearby Elizabeth Stewart Treehouse Museum, a children's museum providing nearly 30,000 square feet (2,800 m²) of interactive exhibits for children, ages two to twelve, and their families. The remainder of The Junction consists of two office buildings, several restaurants, a large parking garage, and a number of condominium and apartment buildings with retail space on the ground level.

As an economic investment for Ogden City, The Junction has been controversial. Skeptics point out that The Junction's tax revenues have fallen far short of what was originally promised, and that taxpayers will be subsidizing payments on The Junction's bonded debt for many years to come. On the other hand, proponents argue that The Junction has enhanced downtown Ogden and indirectly helped other downtown businesses to prosper.