SANDY — The Sandy Corners area may be next in line for a face lift, but some residents are not sure public funds are the way to do it.

Vacant businesses have dotted the 9400 South and 700 East intersection for several years, and now city leaders are considering branding Sandy Corners as blight. That label would set up a redevelopment agency to include the Boyer big-box development at the city's gravel pit and would funnel property taxes from that project to revitalize Sandy Corners.

"There are several projects that are somewhat underutilized. You have large tracts of vacant ground," said Randy Sant, economic development director. "We're going to try to beautify the area to make it more attractive and inviting for a new business."

Those vacant spots could be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly intersection with more viable retail and a community feel if the intersection is declared blight, Sant said. The RDA money could be used to put in more parks, residential enclaves and urban landscaping designs at the Sandy Corners area.

Sant added that Sandy Corners, which now houses Sandy Mall, Albertsons and several other retail strips, will need even more city funding once the Boyer project goes in at the gravel pit. The 107-acre pit at 9400 South and 1300 East is slated to host a Super Wal-Mart and Lowe's, amid other retail stores.

"If that area (Sandy Corners) could develop without assistance, why hasn't it already?" Sant said. "There must be problems with it, or why would businesses vacate it? The RDA is a tool we can use to redevelop and help it compete."

But Cynthia Long, Sandy Mall manager, said to even consider the Sandy Corners area as blight is an insult. Though Long said the vacant stores are a problem, using public funds to subsidize private retail is the wrong path for Sandy city, she said.

"To say you can call Sandy Mall blight in your sleep, well, it hurts," Long said. "It's just unbelievable to me. There are no businesses here that are hanging on by the skin of their teeth."

Long, who has managed the mall for 25 years, said she has tenants who are worried Sandy officials may decide to redevelop the intersection and put them out of business. Some store owners, such as the couple who owns the Baskin Robbins, have been at the mall for more than 30 years, Long said.

Long added that the Sandy Mall has always focused on community retail instead of larger chains. That small, community feel may be lost if RDA funds are pumped into the intersection, she said.