They did such things as seek mediation help from the Utah congressional delegation, and they traveled to the Pentagon to meet with Fred W. Kuhn, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations — who would have to give final approval to any eventual plans.

Park City Manager Bakaly said local officials were impressed with Kuhn as he pledged to try to make things work in a way that pleases local officials. "He didn't give us veto power but said he wanted to keep the city happy," Bakaly said.

Covieo at Hill echos that pledge, saying, "We want to be good neighbors. We want to work with Park City. We are doing everything we can to work out something that is mutually beneficial."

Alternatives

To seek a trade for Red Maple, Park City came up with a list of 11 properties that might be good for the Air Force hotel instead.

"The majority of them were cost-prohibitive, costing anywhere from $30 million to $50 million," Covieo with the Air Force said. Of course at Red Maple, the development team would face a land cost of zero since the Air Force already owns it.

But one site eventually showed promise. It is owned by Summit County and is adjacent to the main parking lot at The Canyons ski resort.

"It is a wonderful site, so close to a resort," acknowledges Morris with the Air Force. In contrast, Red Maple is far from any resort and lacks utilities. Morris said developers are interested in The Canyons site if a fair deal could be achieved— which may be a big "if."

The county wants about $8 million for one parcel at The Canyons that is large enough for a 200-room hotel, which Park City Manager Bakaly figures could generate as much profit with its prime location as a 600-room hotel at distant Red Maple.

Air Force partners also are interested in a second, adjacent parcel at The Canyons — to allow an even larger hotel — which might cost an extra $2 million for land.

So all the targeted property at The Canyons may be worth around $10 million — which local officials say is worth much more than the Red Maple property that they would receive in return (along with $2 million to $3 million that Park City might kick into any deal from the sale of the Imperial Hotel).

Local officials contend that Red Maple is not worth much because zoning allows it only to be used as open space by anyone but the Air Force. But the Air Force notes that it is not just anyone else, and it can build a big hotel there — so the land should have high trade value.