Point of the Mountain planning moves to Phase 2

By Brice Wallace

The future development of the Point of the Mountain area, including the Utah State Prison site, has advanced to a new phase.

The Point of the Mountain Development Commission recently released a report by Envision Utah summarizing the first phase of the process, which featured several months of research and public outreach. Much of the resulting information from Phase 1 focused on addressing transportation challenges in the area — viewed by stakeholders as the top issue for economic development there.

Next up is Phase 2, which will examine ways the area could develop. Alternative scenarios will be analyzed for their impacts on the key things Utahns said they want to achieve at the area, and those scenarios will be shared with stakeholders and public for feedback, with the results forming a preferred scenario.

Phase 3, in early 2018, will look at ways to fund the infrastructure and economic development to make the preferred scenario a reality.

“Research is critical to the Point of the Mountain undertaking,” said Rep. Lowry Snow, R-St. George and the commission’s co-chairman. “It is important to have input from the public, key stakeholders, employers and residents impacted by our effort. We are grateful to Envision Utah for their work and to the many Utahns who have weighed in so far, and look forward to incorporating the feedback we’ve received in the next phase.”

For Phase 1, more than 1,000 tech employees were surveyed; thousands of Utahns participated through online comments, surveys and workshops; hundreds of stakeholders shared their voices at public meetings; and the commission worked with industry experts to identify opportunities and challenges associated with the area.

“We are pleased with the response we’ve received through our online surveys and public workshops,” said Robert Grow, chief executive officer of Envision Utah. “We know Utah residents care about their communities. They want continued growth of the economy, access to outdoor recreation and short commutes. We will take that to heart in our planning and proposals moving forward.”

The biggest identified challenge is transportation. The Phase 1 report indicates it was mentioned by both the public and stakeholders as a significant concern four to five times more often than anything else. Education, a national research facility and strategic infrastructure planning also ranked highly, and many Utahns rated recreation, greenspace, walkable communities and reduced air pollution as important considerations or outcomes. “Utahns want significant steps taken to reduce emissions and demonstrate sustainability — and these same steps will help attract employers and employees,” the report said.

For stakeholders, after transportation, an educated workforce was listed as the next-most-important issue for attracting and creating jobs.

The report said that Utahns and employers want convenient centers where they can live, work and play. Public workshops found that having vibrant places that include housing, jobs, retail, entertainment and recreation also is preferred. Employers said that more-diverse community offerings are needed to recruit good employees. Consultant experts indicated that vibrant places are key to growing high-paying jobs and improving transportation outcomes.

“Utahns have high expectations and ambitious hopes for the area surrounding the border between Salt Lake County and Utah County (the Point of the Mountain),” the report said. “From the rapidly growing cities to the booming tech sector to the beautiful natural surroundings, Utahns want the Point of the Mountain to be prosperous and thriving, accessible and enjoyable, and healthy and beautiful. The Point of the Mountain can lead the way in establishing a 21st Century ‘innovation economy,’ providing a convenient and enjoyable lifestyle, and demonstrating sustainable approaches to using natural resources and improving air quality.”

The full Phase 1 report is at pointofthemountainfuture.org.

The Utah Legislature created the commission during the 2016 general session and Envision Utah was selected as the development partner for the approximately 22,000 undeveloped acres at Point of the Mountain. The area includes a 700-acre site of the Utah State Prison in Draper, which will become available when the prison is moved in a few years to a site near Salt Lake City International Airport. The undeveloped land is in the heart of what has become known as “Silicon Slopes,” a stretch along the Wasatch Front featuring technology companies.