Lots of shops in store for N. Utah
Growth in population, income fuel development
The Wasatch Front is home to a spurt in retail development, mixed-use development, downtown redevelopment. No fewer than three shopping complexes are under way or in planning stages in southern Salt Lake County. A massive project, not scheduled to break ground for another two years, is already causing a buzz in northern Utah County, and ideas for at least two others are being bandied about.
This is in addition to the still-growing Jordan Landing in West Jordan, The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City and the much-anticipated, multi-use downtown development by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Developers say expected population growth, household income growth and shifting shopping trends called for new shopping alternatives. But can the Wasatch Front absorb so many new facilities? What will happen to the older ones?
"Are we doing too much? Potentially," said Jeff Thredgold, economic consultant to Zions Bank and head of Salt Lake-based Thredgold Economic Associates. "But I think that you're looking at the same mindset with a retail developer as you have with a homebuilder. Even if there is the potential for excess in the housing market, the ones they build will sell, and sell at a profit. There's a natural optimism among builders, whether it's developers, homebuilders or retailers."
That said, Thredgold who travels frequently for work said the kind of building going on along the Wasatch Front is hardly unique to Utah.
"They're springing up everywhere," he said. "There seems to be a ton of expansion taking place all over."
Seeing a need
Rick Horst, city manager of South Jordan, said the flurry of development there has a few main roots: population growth combined with the current scarcity of available services and a higher-than-average household income.
"The (retail development) market in South Jordan certainly is not saturated," Horst said. "In fact, we don't have much of a market at all. Primarily for the first 70 years of our existence, we have served as a bedroom community and have watched our residents go off to work and play in other cities."
Wade Williams, director of retail development at The Boyer Co., said new projects reflect growth, to be sure, but also a change in the experience of shopping. The Boyer Co. has several projects under way in the southern part of the valley, including The District and South Jordan Town Center in South Jordan.
The District, located between 11400 South and 11800 South and 3600 West and the Bangerter Highway, is expected to feature no fewer than 10 anchor stores, a grocery store, a Target store and a 20-screen Larry H. Miller Megaplex theater. The first phase of development, which includes the bulk of the major businesses, is expected to cost around $120 million. Comparisons have been made between The District and The Gateway, in that the South Jordan development will include a central shopping district about the same size as The Gateway, with a main street running through it and a fountain.
Comments
- Credit card pain 2:07 p.m.
- Bolster SEC's authority? 1:45 p.m.
- Oil below $60 1:42 p.m.
- Putin scene on 'South Park' cut 1:32 p.m.
- Program extended beyond wiretaps 1:05 p.m.
- Jazz down Oklahoma City 1:05 p.m.
- Mourning McNair's girlfriend 1:02 p.m.
- Phillies OF Werth replaces Beltran 1:01 p.m.
- Medvedev warns U.S. 12:53 p.m.
- Cast reflects on Hogwarts childhood 12:32 p.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Letters: Palin mistreated
140 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
136 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
131 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
83 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
71
By now you've probably read about the investigation that showed just how...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
What is up with the respect for this guy? He has seen way too much playing...
The last democrat to rule the White House with a backbone was FDR. Obama to...
Now I've heard it all. Welcome to Utah - home of The Big Waters! 90% of the...
How many "jobs" programs can we really afford? Don't we teach anything in...
So who's the fool? You obviously went to BYU 'pretending' to be something you...
The actus reus, or action taken in violation of the law, and the mens rea, or...
hate crime legislation not one way? fact, a iniation (sp) into a black gang...
These 2 are employees of Al Gore's? So what is Gore doing to get them...
South Park has made fun of everyone and everything including themselves....
Young broad with big ideas that really didn't know anything. How many times...




You can be the first to comment on this story.