With school district approval, Canyon Centre CDA moving forward

By a 6-1 vote, the Canyons School District Board of Education agreed to participate in the Community Development Area that will allow for construction of the Canyon Centre project in Cottonwood Heights. Canyons joined with Cottonwood Heights City, Salt Lake County and the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center as taxing entities willing to forego some of their projected tax increment over the next 25 years.

The decision came after months of study by Canyons District officials, as well as some rather strong vocal input from concerned opposition groups who addressed the school board on Jan. 17.

Developers plan to construct a hotel and retail complex, office space, an amphitheatre, a park and a large parking structure on the property that formerly housed the Canyon Racquet Club. That complex was razed several years ago.

Canyons District was the last of the taxing entities entering into the agreement, as the city, recreation district and county had agreed to the proposal several months ago. Documentation still has to be finalized and all administrative issues resolved, but developers will continue grading for a new road in the area over the next four to six weeks, and above-ground construction could begin as early as this summer.

“We’re excited that [Canyons] has agreed to partner with us on this very important gateway project,” Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore Jr. said. “We did not want this project to have any type of negative impact on educational revenues, and I think we established the fact that this is a positive for the district as well as for the residents in and around the complex.”

Projections show that Canyons District will see about a $200,000 net benefit over the first 20 years of the agreement, then see it jump markedly to almost $1.5 million over the first 25 years, Cullimore said. Over the next 50 years, that benefit is projected to equal $8 million to the district.

In addition to the retail and commercial impact, the Canyon Centre will also provide much-needed parking for those using Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. More than 400 parking spaces will be created as part of the complex—parking that can be used for both visitors and skiers up the canyons as well as for patrons of the complex and its businesses.

CSD board members heard from several individuals and groups objecting to the district’s participation in the project. Several Cottonwood Heights residents, who are part of a group called CHVoters, took issue with the creation of any CDA, saying the experience has been negative for several communities in California.

“Our biggest concern is that we need more discussion and research before you vote on this,” said resident Joanne Merrill. Royce Van Tassell, vice president of the watchdog Utah Taxpayers Association, told board members that the Utah Transit Authority “has often had problems with both CDAs and RDAs (redevelopment agencies). This project is going to happen whether or not you take money out of your pockets.”

After public comment, board president Tracy Cowdell told those who objected to the proposal that board members had studied the issue extensively, and questioned why opponents hadn’t been before the board at other meetings when district finances were being discussed.

“Where were you when we were working on our bond issues, or truth in taxation?” he asked. “Frankly, I’m a bit insulted that you’ve only shown up before us because of this.”

Board member Kevin Cromar, who cast the lone “no” vote, spoke up against the proposal. He expressed concerns about the project itself (“traffic and the economic viability”), but was more concerned with the precedent of getting involved as a district with a CDA.

“I am a big fan of working with Cottonwood Heights City,” he said. “We’ve had a great relationship in working with them on development of the Mountview Park and plans for sharing the costs of the new Butler Middle School auditorium. I just have concerns about this, and my guess is this isn’t the last Cottonwood Heights CDA we’ll be voting on.”

Cowdell called for the vote, and the measure passed.