RDA, Howa Capital have big plans for West Capitol Hill neighborhood

Salt Lake City's West Capitol Hill neighborhood may have a new neighbor, the result of a partnership between the city's Redevelopment Agency and Howa Capital.

In November 2004, the city issued a request for proposals to redevelop property it owns at 500 N. 300 West. The city envisioned a mixed-used development, with retail, commercial and residential components.

Two developers responded.

"Howa's proposal was more comprehensive," said Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency executive director David Oka. "The concept was more conducive with what the RDA board was looking at for that neighborhood."

Dru Damico, director of development at Howa Contractors, said the project is still in the preliminary stages. The company is performing market analyses and moving toward a design, Damico said.

While details are being negotiated, Damico said the primary objective is clear.

"Capitol Hill is a beautiful, historic and urban neighborhood," Damico said. "We think there's an opportunity that allows for the creation of a distinctive urban neighborhood center. That's what we're trying to accomplish. That's our challenge.

"We're envisioning a mixed-use development, with both residential and retail components. It will have a historical context and a neighborhood scale."

The project stems back to the mid- to late-1990s, according to Eric Jergensen, chairman of the RDA board of directors and Salt Lake City councilman.

"At that time, members of the community became concerned that the area wasn't seeing the level of investment that we really thought was important to keep that part of the neighborhood vital," Jergensen said.

In 2000-2001, following the establishment of the RDA and with Jergensen as its chairman, the city began taking a more "active interest" in revitalizing the five-acre parcel.

Jergensen said he envisions as part of the project a library, up to 50 or 60 residential units and neighborhood services that may include a bank or grocery store, cafe or laundry. All of which, he hopes, will persuade people to stabilize and improve the surrounding area.

"What we anticipate is that with increased investment in this area, specifically with the investment of neighborhood services and residences, we think we'll see significant investments in the area," Jergensen said. "We think we'll see the desire of people to invest in their own homes and stay. We hope people will fall in love with the community and stay in the neighborhood."