55 acres of retail outlets are coming to Lehi area
Swap in developers stalled project going up near Cabela's
It's taken more than a year and a last-minute change of developers for the master-planned development to come this far, but Traverse Mountain officials say now they're ready to hit the ground running. It is estimated that the 300,000-square-foot outlet mall, dubbed "The Fashion Outlets at Traverse Mountain," will be completed by fall 2009.
"We could literally pull permits and break ground today," said McKay Christensen, a partner in the Traverse Mountain development. "We expect to pre-lease (the retail space) for a year and start construction in a year. ... That's an aggressive schedule, but we feel confident we can do that."
Christensen said the anticipated $200 million project has been slow in coming because of a previous agreement with national developer Forest City Enterprises. Forest City projected a construction timeline for the Traverse Mountain project of at least five years. But Christensen said an earlier start date was desired, so a different developer, Craig Realty Group, was chosen.
Craig Realty Group has a history of developing multimillion-dollar upscale factory outlet centers, Christensen said.
"We don't have a deal with Forest City, but we're still doing the same thing (that was planned with the developer)," Christensen said. "There's always a chance we could go back to Forest City and resume those negotiations, but right now, that deal is done and we plan on pursuing that phase on our own."
The outlet section will be built next to Cabela's at The Terrace at Traverse Mountain. Because of the outlet center's proximity to Cabela's and I-15, Christensen said he expects the development to bring some 12 million people to the location annually, with revenue of about $250 million.
"Traditionally, outlet malls have been what you would see in the outer reaches and fringes of towns and along major highways," Christensen said. "Now you're finding these outlet malls being built in more metropolitan areas. There's a vacuum in our market in Salt Lake and a hole that needs to be filled for that type of thing. We think this will be a better companion to Cabela's than any other thing we could have planned."
Christensen said he's not exactly sure what stores will come to the development, but typically Craig Reality developments have Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike and Gap stores as anchors. Christensen said he'd like to see elements in the design that would make the development look like an Italian village on the hillside.
More information on the project can be found at the development's Web site, www.traversemountain.com.
Lehi Mayor Howard Johnson said he's looking forward to seeing how the development progresses.
"I think it will be a good thing," Johnson said. "The extent of what it will be and how it will work out, I couldn't tell you. All I can say now is I think it will be a good thing for the neighborhood and for the city. Other than that, the details all have to be worked out, and sometimes the devil is in the details."
E-mail: achoate@desnews.com
Comments
- Sentencing for con man moved 2:33 p.m.
- Obama and pope hold first meeting 2:33 p.m.
- Priestley and wife welcome baby 2:30 p.m.
- Panel: Banks underpaying gov't 2:20 p.m.
- Stocks falter 2:19 p.m.
- CA's creditors look to options 2:08 p.m.
- 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.
- 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
86 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
71
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
If you aren't part of LDS culture. You hear "calling" in Mormon's lexicon....
I am very sad to hear this terrible tragedy but I beleive that God is in...
The F.B.I. keeps statistics on hate crimes--inluding crimes against Whites....
i wont laugh at the thought of getting kobe or lebron but i will say if...
how do we know if this girl was even telling the truth? we dont know anything...
regarless of how stupid the headline is...it is good advice to WATCH YOU KIDS...
Now if we could just cut South Park completely.
start going off on swine flu being nothing, just note, that although lacking...
Being an amazing teacher and and amazing man does not preclude someone from...
A bad day in California is far better than a good day in...


You can be the first to comment on this story.