The commission charged with determining the future of the Utah State Prison site in Draper has selected a consulting partner. Envision Utah, which describes the Point of the Mountain area as “well situated to become an economic powerhouse for a growing high-tech economy,” leads a team selected by the Point of the Mountain Development Commission.
The commission charged with determining the future of the Utah State Prison site in Draper has selected a consulting partner.
Envision Utah, which describes the Point of the Mountain area as “well situated to become an economic powerhouse for a growing high-tech economy,” leads a team selected by the Point of the Mountain Development Commission.
Envision Utah’s team will direct regional planning and determine the future of the site, which will be vacated when the prison moves to a new facility near the Salt Lake City International Airport. The 700-acre Draper property is seen by some people as a potentially valuable hub for innovative technology companies, augmenting an already tech-heavy area called “Silicon Slopes.”
“Based on the comprehensive evaluation criteria, Envision Utah has the best local knowledge and national expertise to serve this intricate process,” said House Majority Assistant Whip Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville and commission co-chair. “We received a number of bids from skilled development firms and utilized a subcommittee to find the right fit for Utah.”
Members of the Envision Utah team are Fehr & Peers, Fregonese Associates, HOK Design, Horrocks Engineers, RCLCO Real Estate Advisors, Sherwood Design, SWCA Environmental Consultants and Zions Public Finance.
Envision Utah was recommended by an evaluation committee consisting of planning experts and stakeholders. The committee received six proposals, including those from two local firms, two from national firms with Utah offices, and two from national firms with Utah experience. All responders had broad national experience and several had international experience, and all proposals included both in-state and out-of-state subcontractors, the committee said.
The committee reviewed the six initial responses to ensure the bidders met certain criteria, then reviewed written proposals for additional qualifications, narrowing to three for oral presentations and interviews. Scoring took into account each firm’s expertise, depth of understanding and quality of proposals for the project. At the conclusion of the vetting process, the committee selected Envision Utah as its official recommendation to the commission.
“While reviewing each proposal, the subcommittee was mindful of Utah residents’ best interests,” said Draper Mayor Troy Walker, a member of the evaluation committee. “Every responder had broad national experience, and some even had international experience. It was important for us to find a sophisticated partner that is truly invested in improving our communities.”
The redevelopment project will feature three phases. The first is focused primarily on research, examining similar projects in other locations; identifying best practices; and examining all relevant demographic, employment, real estate and infrastructure data. The second and third phases include collaborative planning and exploring financial options and resources for the development.
“We look forward to partnering with Envision Utah on the next phase of the process,” said Chris Conabee, commission co-chairman and member of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development Board. “Careful, collaborative planning will secure the future success of the Point of the Mountain and the state as a whole.”
The Point of the Mountain Commission was created during the 2016 legislative session and consists of local officials, private-sector representatives and state officials from both the legislative and executive branches. The commission is expected to deliver a report to the Legislature and Gov. Gary Herbert before the end of the year.
The Legislature voted last summer for a new $550 million prison to be built at a site near Salt Lake City International Airport that had been unanimously recommended by the Prison Relocation Commission. The Draper facility opened in 1951 and is expensive to maintain. It has about 1,000 workers overseeing about 4,000 inmates and has about 1,500 people who do volunteer work there.
Envision Utah’s website says that “rarely does a region have an opportunity like this,” referring to the possibilities for redeveloping the Draper site. It notes that the area between Sandy and Lehi already is home to firms including Adobe, eBay, AtTask (now Workfront) and Vivint; lies midway between the University of Utah and Brigham Young University; is surrounded by rapidly expanding housing for all pay scales; and has excellent access to roads, commuter rail and future light rail. Significant potential also exists for outdoor recreation with the Jordan River Parkway, it says.
“With the right vision, this location could generate billions of dollars in economic growth for Utahns,” the website says. “In addition, if planned right, the Point of the Mountain area could compact growth, reduce driving, and improve air quality.
“Much of this potential exists even with the Utah State Prison in place, but the anticipated relocation of the prison opens land that could be used to catalyze the growth of the entire area, providing the site characteristics that will appeal to employers and employees. The value of the prison site is largely dependent on the economic success of the entire surrounding area.”
The website describes the area as having “the potential to be a demonstration site for the best practices of growth and new development.”