Clearfield approves $150 million development

CLEARFIELD — It's easy to see how excited the Clearfield City Council is about a $150 million mixed-use development that will break ground this year.

During Tuesday's City Council meeting, Councilman Vern Phipps moved to approve the city's development agreement with developer Larry Myler for the Midtown Village at Legend Hills. Councilman Michael LeBaron responded, "I second the hell out of that."

The council then voted unanimously to approve the development agreement that details the city's and Myler's responsibilities for the project. The 75-page development agreement gives Myler the ability to seek financial backers to fund the project's construction.

Until now, the city and Myler have had a "gentlemen's agreement" about how to proceed.

"Now it's official," Myler said Thursday.

Myler is nearing completion on a similar development in Orem, called Midtown Village-Orem, which began three years ago.

Midtown Village at Legend Hills, to be located at the intersection of State Route 193 and University Park Boulevard, will soon break ground, just 10 months after Clearfield city manager Chris Hillman and Mayor Don Wood introduced themselves to Myler.

Since last year, Clearfield has amended its master plan and rezoned the area to make way for Midtown Village, Myler said. His next step is getting final site plan approval to the city's planning commission, which should happen in a few weeks.

Hillman hopes the development agreement becomes the model for public-private partnerships between Midtown Village and other cities in the future. He said Orem paved the way for a smooth development agreement in Clearfield by serving as a test case.

Clearfield will help raise $22 million in bonds for the Legend Hills project, which Myler will pay off in three phases, Hillman said. As Myler sells condominiums, he will pay off Clearfield's debt.

About $4.5 million in special improvement district fees will be used to build a performing-arts theater. Another component, Hillman said, is that over the next three years or so, Myler will develop 16 acres of city-owned land into a large park project.

"We feel, as a city, that this is a win-win situation," Hillman said.

A model of the 1.2 million-square-foot Midtown Village at Legend Hills is on display at Clearfield City Hall and is designed as one U-shaped, eight-story building.

It's expected to feature 250,000 square feet of office and retail space, as well as the theater, condominiums and other amenities to let residents live, shop, work and play in the same area.

"It will remake the Davis County skyline," Hillman said.

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