PLEASANT GROVE — In the race to build a Utah County convention center, Pleasant Grove pulled ahead Friday with a groundbreaking event.

Hotelier John Q. Hammons turned over a symbolic shovelful of dirt as city officials celebrated a milestone in the progression of Pleasant Grove's soon-to-be Embassy Suites Hotel, Convention Center and Spa.

"We are embarking on a great future," Pleasant Grove Mayor Mike Daniels told a crowded tent of onlookers who came to the celebration. "The reach and span this convention center will have in Utah County and in north Utah County is mind-boggling."

Construction on the 426,000-square-foot hotel and conference center is expected to begin at the end of September or the beginning of October.

Friday's ceremonial groundbreaking was expected to take place in June, but the process was delayed because of a complication of designing the hotel so that it would be safe, despite Utah's seismic activity.

Hammons said he has forgone his signature atrium-style hotel entry and invested at least $6 million to make sure the building will adequately deal with Utah's seismology.

"It will be safe in there," Hammons said with a slight midwestern drawl. "I know that because we're putting the money into it (to make it safe)."

Pleasant Grove purchased and gave 37 acres to Hammons to facilitate the project. The city also brokered tax deals with Utah County, Alpine School District and Central Utah Water Conservancy District to use a portion of the property tax increase generated by the site, as well as a portion of the site's transient room tax, to help pay off the $35 million bond incurred by the city in purchasing the land.

The project, which is projected to cost about $100 million, is slated to be completed by summer 2009, but the convention center space won't open until January 2010. The convention center space will open at a later date, after the hotel has been functioning for several months, in order to "work the kinks out," Daniels said.

Nevertheless, Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau President Joel Racker said his organization will immediately start "spreading the word" about the convention center.

Many businesses plan major conventions several years in advance, Racker said.

"The skyline of Utah County is changing, and it's changing for the better," Racker said. "I think it's good because it's going to put us on the map. That's the part that's exciting."

Officials from neighboring Lindon are also excited about Pleasant Grove's project. The project falls within a common taxing area between Pleasant Grove and Lindon.

"We are just delighted for Pleasant Grove," said Lindon Mayor Jim Dains. "This is a great opportunity, and their hard work and efforts will benefit a lot of people in Utah Valley."

---

E-mail: achoate@desnews.com