From Deseret News archives:
'Excessive' growth bodes well for Sandy, Dolan says
Mayor cites soccer stadium and sales tax as indicators
"We had a very exciting growth period in the late '90s, early 2000s," Dolan told attendees at the Sandy Chamber of Commerce's Women in Business luncheon. "But what we're seeing now is very excessive. It's at least three to four times the development."
Dolan's speech was dubbed a "State of the City" address. Dolan, who has been mayor for nearly 13 years, said that when he moved to the suburb 20 years ago, you could only buy gas and a hamburger in town. Most residents did their shopping at nearby Cottonwood Mall or Fashion Place Mall.
Today, however, with retail developments at South Towne Mall and Jordan Commons, "Sandy is in a very dynamic position," he said. Sandy now ranks second in retail sales in the state, behind Salt Lake City.
"Financially, the city has never had a better year than this year," he said. "Sales tax has been a very important part of our growth."
As for residential growth, Dolan said most of the new developments are condominiums and townhomes. It's a bargain today to find a home in Sandy under $250,000, he said.
Dolan said the construction of the Real Salt Lake soccer stadium is not just about soccer. The stadium is slated for completion at 9256 S. State in August or September 2008. The city envisions what will eventually be a 136-acre mega-development of that entire block at the northwest corner of 9400 S. State, with shopping and outdoor dining.
"I believe this will be a huge catalyst for business development in the community," Dolan said.
The $110 million stadium will receive $35 million of Salt Lake County's hotel-room tax revenue for infrastructure at the site through a Legislature-approved funding package. Sandy has also committed $10 million of its own redevelopment agency dollars.
Real, meanwhile, has been losing $3 million to $4 million a year without its own stadium because the team can't collect money for naming rights, concessions and parking while playing at the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Parking around the Sandy stadium has been a concern to the city, Dolan said. Ninety days before the stadium opens, Real must present a finalized parking plan and a contract for all off-site spots.
Real must come up with 5,300 stalls total, but residents and council members have voiced concerns because the state is only required to have 1,000 on-site spots. Dolan said the council would address those concerns.
"Our council is adamant on this. This is a serious issue," he said.
Over a 25-year period, the stadium is expected to bring in $850,000 a year in taxes to the local school district, he added. Once the surrounding block is developed, that number will expand to $135 million.
E-mail: astowell@desnews.com
