Rail line spurs Station Park

FARMINGTON — The streets downtown are quiet in the early evening.

A motorist pauses at the lone stoplight, then travels down a tired street lined by tall trees and a mix of old and new homes.

There are few stores and shopping centers, because unlike its sister cities to the north and south, Farmington collects people — and only people.

"It's like dinosaur land here," said Sandra Andersen. "I've lived here for 35 years and I've seen very little happen with (commercial) development."

But not any longer.

Farmington developer Rich Haws has other plans.

Since 1996, when the first rumblings about Legacy Highway were heard, Haws has been collecting parcels of land just west of I-15.

He has more than 100 acres tucked around the Park Lane interchange, where Legacy, I-15, Highway 89 and commuter rail converge.

And he plans to build.

Not a site developed around Wal-Mart, Costco and other big boxes — but a site centered around commuter rail and designed to fit with the "clean-cut," small-town feel of Farmington.

It will be called Station Park, and construction is expected to start within the coming months.

"This is a new horizon for us," said Haws, sitting in his Farmington office surrounded by maps of the proposed development. "It's exciting. It's a challenge. We would prefer not to do the 'same old, big-box, off-the-freeway' development here."

While larger stores like Target, Williams-Sonoma and the Pottery Barn may eventually be built at the site, Haws envisions a mix of housing, small retail, eclectic shops and high-class offices.

A movie theater, fitness center and hotel are also planned, along with an old-fashioned train depot that connects the site to the Farmington commuter rail station — one of nine planned along the Weber to Salt Lake County rail line.

Officials with the Utah Transit Authority consider Station Park to be a boon for commuter rail, as well as Farmington City.

"This is probably the biggest thing they've had happen with a single development in their history," said Steve Meyer, manager of commuter rail construction for UTA.

"If we can create a great destination place with this developer, it will be great. It's a win win. We gain ridership, they gain customers."

Every other week, Meyer travels to Farmington to meet with city officials and a representative from the Haws Companies, the development group Haws operates with his son, Michael. The group recently reviewed a blight study that indicates Station Park qualifies for redevelopment agency funds.