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Update: It was Google Fiber.PROVO — Provo city is expected to make an "epic" announcement Wednesday that will put the city on the national map.
Since the announcement date was set, Provo residents have been busy speculating about what it could be, as the few city employees who know what the announcement is are apparently contractually obligated to keep their mouths shut until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Following the hashtag #ProvoEpicAnnouncement on Twitter brings up a slew of predictions, some serious and some sarcastic. Here are a few:
Theme park
In an oft-repeated but far-fetched rumor, some want to believe Provo is going to be the home of the next Disneyland. Others would be happy with something more simple.
#provoepicannouncement should be a roller coaster park: — joellie bellie ∞ (@alpachalover04) April 17, 2013
**Google Fiber**
The most popular rumor is that Provo will be the next stop for Google Fiber, Google's ultra-fast Internet that is so far only planned for three cities: Austin, Texas; Kansas City, Kan; and Kansas City, Mo.
#poll
Talk of the potential exploded Tuesday evening after the blog Provo Buzz published a post titled "Provo Set to Announce Google Fiber." Following the blog's tweet about the post, the website crashed temporarily due to the influx of visitors.
"After extensive research and talking to several sources, it is safe to say that Provo is set to announce the addition of Google Fiber to its city," the post said. "This announcement covers the criteria of being 'epic' and will certainly put Provo on the national map."
The blog post does not name specific sources, though, so it is difficult to tell if the rumor has basis in fact. If Provo were to get Google Fiber, though, the city would find itself trending for days.
Great wall
They're finally building that wall at the county line we've all been wanting for years? #provoepicannouncement — Scott L. (@dslundberg) April 16, 2013
Or maybe it will be a bubble:
@cjanekendrick#breakingnews: Bubble-dome to dropped on Provo. Real-Life Truman Show set to film Sept 1, 2013.#provoepicannouncement — Chism Sorensen (@chismism) April 17, 2013
Anything, really:
The fence keeping people in as well as people out of Provo will finally be built. #ProvoEpicAnnouncement — Steve Felt (@DuganGolf) April 17, 2013
**Great mall**
Rumors have been circulating recently of a mall on Provo's Center Street that would rival Salt Lake City's City Creek.
A mall isn't likely to put Provo on the map, although City Creek has gotten nationwide attention for succeeding where many malls have failed in recent years. And Provo Mayor John Curtis said in a recent blog post the announcement that whatever the news is, it will be huge.
"I'm not sure it will be viewed by everyone as epic but for me it will be the single largest accomplishment of my professional career," he said. "It should be of no surprise that something of this nature has also come with a large amount of stress. I wake each night several times worried about how it will be received by residents."
Statues
A 75ft statue of @senorrinhatch will be erected on Center Street #provoepicannouncement — Kyle (@KJinDC7) April 16, 2013
Sen. Hatch is the longest-serving senator in Utah history, having been in office since 1976.
Provorem
Could Provo be planning to merge with Orem? Only time will tell, but a merger would put Provorem at more than 200,000 residents, enough to bump it into the top 100 largest U.S. cities.
Provo is often ranked near the top of lists, and the Provo-Orem metro area is no stranger to being top in the nation, either.
Provo-Orem is the most religious metro area in the country, according to a recent Gallup poll. It is also the fastest-growing metro area in the nation, as of Nov. 2012.
Provo itself is used to attention. It is top in the nation for volunteering, following a trend in Utah being the top state for the same thing. Provo is one of the most liveable cities in the nation and one of the best places to start over.
It is also regularly rated the best in the country for businesses.
Prorem? #provoepicannouncement — Sterling Beck (@sterlingbeck) April 17, 2013
Provo is planning on making the announcement Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. The announcement can be watched live [here](http://www2.provo.org/mayor.channel17.html).
