Junction soon may be heart of west Summit

Ten years ago, Kimball Junction was little more than a highway crossroads standing as a gateway to Park City's slopes. But now, the Junction is becoming a destination of its own.

With explosive retail growth and a recent influx of residential developments, the town that marks the intersection of I-80 and U-224 is staking its claim on the Summit County economy.

"It's cooking. It's off-the-charts accessible," said Jim Doilney, who is developing a residential enclave and retail plaza at the Junction. "It will be its own spot. It will sort of be the heart of western Summit County."

Kimball Junction is only several miles down the road from Park City's old town Main Street, but the town may soon offer a cheaper and quicker alternative for Salt Lake residents itching to get out of the valley.

With a new Gateway-style retail center by Boyer Co. and two new residential villages with office space and commercial plazas, Doilney said Kimball Junction is not just becoming a weekend getaway, but is putting itself on the map as a place to live year-round.

Property Reserve Inc., the real estate arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is also planning a 200-acre mixed-use development at Kimball Junction that will come before county planners for approval this month. A Snyderville Basin recreation center complete with an indoor playing field, swimming pool and track is also nearing completion in the area.

"It has all the amenities of Park City without all the busy-ness and the cost," said Craig Burton, vice president of EquiMark development, which is building 250 condominiums in conjunction with Boyer's retail center.

Steven Baer, vice president at Cottonwood Partners, will soon be building 62,000 square feet of office space at the Junction, a move he said will anchor business headquarters to the area. The new office space may also eliminate the commute for many Park City residents making the daily trek to downtown Salt Lake, Baer said.

"The whole atmosphere that's being built up there will make Kimball Junction a destination. We just think it's the right time," Baer said. "It will never replace Park City, but it will be a mountain environment that will enhance Park City."

But the development surge at the Junction is making Summit County officials play catch-up to ensure the town can handle the rapid growth. A recently completed county transit study shows the area's traffic load doubling within 25 years, putting 100,000 more trips a day at the Junction.