Utah County officials seek public opinion on convention center design

PROVO — A planned Utah County convention center is including an unusual feature in its design — public opinion.

The design team wants to include residents in the process so it is hosting an open house Tuesday to give them a chance to view and comment on early ideas. The open house will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the ballroom of the Utah County Historic Courthouse, 51 S. University Ave.

Salt Lake City-based MHTN Architects Inc. has partnered on the project with Populous Architects, which specializes in event-venue architecture.

The convention center is planned for half a block between Center Street and 100 West, and 200 North and 300 North. West of the Marriott Hotel, it would take out several businesses, including Mountainlands Community Health, the Food and Care Coalition and the Atchafalaya Bar, said Don Nay, Utah County public works director.

Earlier this month, business and civic leaders got together to decide what the building would be and what they wanted to accomplish, Nay said.

"Now we're starting the conceptual design," he said.

Local hoteliers are also behind the project, Utah County Commissioner Steve White said. It is being developed to serve local businesses and as a destination for regional events and shows.

The building likely will range in size from 60,000 square feet to 80,000 square feet, possibly on two levels. Estimated space usage includes about 20,000 square feet each for exhibits and the ballroom.

The cost to build the convention center, designed to serve Utah County's future population of 1.5 million, could run as high as $30 million.

The architectural work should be done by next spring, White said, and then it could be put out to bid. But that doesn't men it will be built.

"If (the bids) come in right, we'll award it," he said. "If not, … we'll put it in mothballs."

Planning for the convention center started in 2004 when Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert was on the Utah County Commission. Officials put off the project because construction costs were so high, White said.

Now that construction costs are down, the timing may be right. But it will happen "only if we can afford it," White said.

E-mail: rodger@desnews.com