Draper seeking help with mall project

Draper wants to resurrect the struggling VF Factory Outlet Mall and is turning to the Canyons School District for help.

The city Tuesday will present its plan for a community-development project. If the district agrees to the proposal, it would give up its portion of property tax revenue on a parcel of land for five to seven years. The city would use the money to redevelop the outlet malls.

Tentative plans call for restaurants and the city's first movie theater.

"We've struggled to get that site redeveloped for the last 10 years and nothing's been done," said David Dobbins, Draper assistant city manager. "We're hoping by adding more components to it, that will give enough momentum to get the whole site going."

The mall, 12101 S. Factory Outlet Drive, is a site where city officials see potential for revitalization. The malls are anchored by the popular Draper Peaks shopping complex, are next to the Cowabunga Bay water park and will soon have St. Mark's Hospital as a northern neighbor.

Interior and exterior renovations are currently being done on the outlet malls. Future development would be built on vacant land.

"Without (the district's) participation, the development would most likely not occur," said Maridene Hancock, Draper public relations specialist.

In a community-development project, the district would voluntarily forgo its future portion of property tax on the given parcel.

Jeff Haney, associate communications director for the Canyons School District, said the seven-member board "really wants to look at it and deliberate." It's unknown when a final vote will take place. The newly formed district recently shot down a proposed tax increase.

The estimated property tax revenue and location of the land will be presented at the meeting Tuesday at Canyons School District headquarters, 9361 South 300 East, Sandy at 7:30 p.m.

e-mail: astowell@desnews.com