Over the past few years the City Council has established lofty goals for economic development within the city limits. In order to have a thriving and vibrant City we need to diversify our revenue base and revitalize underutilized areas. By bringing in new businesses and expanding existing businesses both the City's image and the quality of life is greatly improved. Over the past ten years redevelopment project areas have yielded an increase in assessed City value by over $295 million dollars. Even in the past year of shaky economic times the City has been able to attract over 2215 new jobs and an astounding $112 million dollars worth of new capital investment. This new investment adds over 1.1 million dollars worth of sales tax revenue to City coffers which in turn essentially lowers the tax burden of property owners.
Last night members of the City Council and executive staff took a tour of some of the Economic Development sites within West Valley City to see the progress and recent accomplishments. Stops on the tour and highlights of the discussion are listed below with some of the names being withheld to protect ongoing negotiations:
Economic Development Tour
June 28, 2011
1. Fairbourne Station (office)
- Hines Company
- 200,000 sq/ft of class A office (6-8 stories)
- 60% pre-leased by mid-2012
- construction by spring 2013
2. Valley Fair Mall
- frontage road complete by Oct 2011
- eastside development after roadway complete
- front (north) development in 2011
- interior remodel in 2012-13
3. Granger Crossings area
Shops at Decker Lake remodel
- $1,700,000 capital investment
Green Papaya Plaza expansion
- $2,000,000 capital investment
-4 new businesses & restaurant
Saigon Market expansion
- $2,500,000 capital investment
- relocate Twamco
Paras Furniture remodel
Redwood Plaza remodel
Medallion Square
- $1,700,000 capital investment
Glen’s Tire
- $800,000 capital investment
- clean up area
4. Homeland Security office
- $12,000,000 capital investment
- 250 employees
5. Fortune 150 Company (Lake Pointe)
- high-tech support center; relocation to Utah
- $6,000,000 capital investment
- 500 employees (avg. wages $60K)
6. Green River Capital
- financial services company; relocation/expansion from So. Salt Lake
- $1,500,000 capital investment
- 400+ employees
Franklin Covey Campus
Dollar Financial Group
-financial services company; relocation to Utah
-$500,000 capital investment
- 200 employees
Carter Distribution
- distribution services; relocation to Utah
-$3,000,000 capital investment
-80,000 sq/ft; 80 employees
MarketStar
-marketing services; expansion from Ogden
- 50,000 sq/ft; 200 employees
8. Backcountry.com
- outdoor equipment retailer; consolidation/expansion of WVC site
- $2,000,000 capital investment
- 500+ employees retained or added
- $10,000,000 in annual sales at that site
9. Las Vegas Express
- distribution services; relocation to Utah
- $1,500,000 capital investment
- 45,000 sq/ft; 30 new employees
10. Cardinal Health (fortune 150 company)
- medical supply distribution and sales; retention in WVC
- 80 employees
- $10,500,000 in annual sales at that site
11. Intermountain Bobcat
- heavy equipment sales and service; relocation/expansion from Murray
- $3,000,000 capital investment
- 50 employees
- $10,000,000 in annual sales at that site
12. 201 Commerce Center
- “Project Leo” (in final stages of decision)
- manufacturing plant
- $190,000,000 in capital investment
- 2,000+ employees
13. Advanced H2O
- water bottling and distribution; relocation to Utah
- $10,000,000 capital investment
- 80 employees
14. Target
- 135,000 sq/ft store and 100,000+ sq/ft of surrounding retail
- $15,000,000+ capital investment
- $50,000,000 annual sales at that site
- 250 employees
- site prep in July; groundbreaking in Sept.
15. Lake Park Business Center
Legacy Offices at Lake Park
- class A office space
- pursuing several tenants
Hilton Home2 Suites
- $6,000,000 capital investment
- 30 employees
-$6,000,000 in sales at this site
Project X
- high-tech development center; relocation to Utah
-$3,000,000 capital investment
- 400 employees (wages at 150% of county average)
16. Fairbourne Station (hotel, residential)
- $60,000,000 capital investment (hotel & residential)
- hotel groundbreaking July 2011; grand opening fall 2012
- residential groundbreaking spring 2012; grand opening fall 2013
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
WestFest 2011
Just wanted to give a quick thanks to the many voltunteers and participants in this years WestFest. It seemed to go off without a hitch, but I know how much coordination and effort it takes to have a quality City Celebration. I am looking forward to the performace of the Utah Symphony that official ends the celebration. I am also looking forward to a bigger and better WestFest 2012.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
School Events
Congratulations to all students that have made it through another school year. Within the final week or so of classes I was able to be involved in several activities and events to celebrate and commemorate the accomplishments of West Valley city students. During the regular meeting of the City Council top City students that attend Hunter, Granger, Cyprus, and Taylorsville were presented with the star of excellence award. The award is based on a GPA and standardized test scores. The Council Chamber was packed with proud parents as each student received their certificate and a handshake from the members of the Council.
The Hunter work based learning center invited me to attend their appreciation breakfast in which students reported on work internships that they had completed. Some students had performed clerical duties with West Valley City prosecutors office and are en route to further study law and courts. Others interned at newspapers, law firms, and one student recalled her experiences working at a mortuary.
The following evening I saw several of the same students as I was able to attend the Se
nior Awards Banquet at Hunter High and present the outstanding male senior award to Lopi Finau . There were many heroic stories of students and their strides in academic, athletic, and leadership roles. Many traditions have changed since the time that I attended Hunter High, but I am happy to see that the senior banquet proudly attended by parents and students.
Later that night I was able to help honor those that help keep our students safe at the annual crossing guards awards banquet. It was an honor to be amongst those that work to make our community a safer place. Many awards and prizes were presented to the appreciative and
humble group. The Deseret News had a story on this banquet at:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705373824/West-Valley-City-honors-crossing-guards-for-their-service.html
Finally, it is worth mentioning another successful school year by the Community Education Partnership. The after-school programs keep getting better each year as more and more students take advantage of the great learning activities. I am proud of the work of this organization and will continue to be supportive as a Councilmember and resident. I appreciate the Certificate of Appreciation that they presented to me.
The Hunter work based learning center invited me to attend their appreciation breakfast in which students reported on work internships that they had completed. Some students had performed clerical duties with West Valley City prosecutors office and are en route to further study law and courts. Others interned at newspapers, law firms, and one student recalled her experiences working at a mortuary.
The following evening I saw several of the same students as I was able to attend the Se
nior Awards Banquet at Hunter High and present the outstanding male senior award to Lopi Finau . There were many heroic stories of students and their strides in academic, athletic, and leadership roles. Many traditions have changed since the time that I attended Hunter High, but I am happy to see that the senior banquet proudly attended by parents and students.Later that night I was able to help honor those that help keep our students safe at the annual crossing guards awards banquet. It was an honor to be amongst those that work to make our community a safer place. Many awards and prizes were presented to the appreciative and
humble group. The Deseret News had a story on this banquet at:http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705373824/West-Valley-City-honors-crossing-guards-for-their-service.html
Finally, it is worth mentioning another successful school year by the Community Education Partnership. The after-school programs keep getting better each year as more and more students take advantage of the great learning activities. I am proud of the work of this organization and will continue to be supportive as a Councilmember and resident. I appreciate the Certificate of Appreciation that they presented to me.
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