PLEASANT GROVE — For years, Pleasant Grove has been mostly an observer to the economic-development gambles in Utah County.

Now officials in the Utah County city have an ace in the hand with about 1,000 acres of prime real estate — and officials and residents are serious about cashing in on it.

So serious, in fact, they've enlisted the help of the American Institute of Architects to help create a blueprint for development on land near the $16 million I-15 interchange.

From Jan. 27-30, Pleasant Grove will host an AIA-sponsored Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team, which will lend planning and designing professionals from around the country to help the city pinpoint its needs and formulate solutions to meet them.

"The purpose of this whole process is to bring citizens together and have them express their hopes and dreams for Pleasant Grove," said Deanne Taylor, the citizen chairwoman of the Pleasant Grove R/UDAT steering committee. "It's a chance to work with unbiased professionals and receive guidelines for our city's future."

The R/UDAT process is a four-day, around-the-clock planning "cram" session. During that time, the team will address three main topics: development of the city's "gateway" area just off exit 273, downtown revitalization and transportation infrastructure.

On the first two days, the R/UDAT team — made up of architects and other planning professionals chosen by AIA — will meet with city leaders, business owners, developers and residents to discern the city's needs and wants.

Residents will have a chance to comment at a public meeting Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Junior High, 810 N. 100 East. Residents can also submit comments at www.pgrudat.com.

The team will spend the third day compiling the information and developing solutions before presenting its findings at a public meeting Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. at the same school.

The R/UDAT program began in 1967 and has been used in more than 100 U.S. cities. Pleasant Grove is the fifth Utah city to participate in the program. Ogden used it in 1987, Salt Lake in 1988, West Valley City in 1997 and West Jordan in 1999.

Elizabeth Mitchell, executive director of the AIA's Utah Chapter and a member of its national board of directors, said the Salt Lake City R/UDAT is one of the program's highlights.

"The R/UDAT in Salt Lake City in 1988 is considered by AIA, and I think the city would agree, to be one of the most successful in the program's history," she said.

The program had a "significant impact" on the city's subsequent development, Mitchell said, including the placement of the Delta Center and Matheson Courthouse, as well as the return of residential units to the downtown area and creation of arts and cultural districts.