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John Daley Reporting Economic development on a huge scale, that's what Sandy officials unveiled today as they announced an extremely ambitious new plan for a pro soccer stadium and giant development.
What started as a stadium project with some economic development thrown in, has turned into a massive development, built around a soccer stadium.
Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan unveiled the city's top secret new proposal for a ReAL Salt Lake Stadium today for county officials, and it's a whopper.
The Mayor is proposing a 136 acre, 650 million dollar project. It's the largest economic development project in the history of Utah. Mayor Dolan says it will be 2.5 times the size of the Gateway project, generating 3,500 jobs and 13 million dollars in tax revenues annually.
For the first phase, the county would spend 35 million dollars in hotel taxes for land and infrastructure. Sandy would put in 10 million dollars and would issue the bonds.
Council members were sharply divided on the proposal
Tom Dolan, Mayor of Sandy: "This project, in our opinion, is the poster child for economic development projects. We have a perfect storm or development factors, if you will. It is in what soon will be the population center of Salt Lake Valley, and I believe, the Wasatch Front."
Dean Howes, CEO, ReAL Salt Lake: "That this is not just a soccer stadium. This is economic development on a grand scale, on a huge scale in the state of Utah."
Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake County Council Member: "I do believe this should be about soccer, not about development. The two do have to operate in tandem a little bit, I understand that. We don't want a scenario where we have a facility with no economic development. But the driving force, in my mind, should be about soccer."
The project is proposed for an area between 90th and 94th south and State Street and I-15
The council made no decision today, but passed a resolution to continue the talks with ReAL and Sandy about this proposal.
