Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SOUTH JORDAN — The city of South Jordan is considering a plan to develop nearly 1,000 acres of green space for a mixture of shops and condos, but that means tearing down a long-time neighborhood feature.
In the space is the 67 acres where Mulligans Golf and Games has sat for 22 years. It's a place for families to enjoy recreation, and some residents are fighting for it to stay.
On most Friday evenings at Mulligans, the crack of a bat or laughter from the putt-putt course is what you'll hear. But lately, you will hear the sounds of residents protesting.
"We are here to stop the development of Mulligans," said South Jordan resident Stephen Kaufman.
The city purchased the property from a private owner 10 years ago with the intent to keep it for recreational use, but the city is growing fast.
In 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau named South Jordan the second-fastest-growing city in the U.S.
"This growth is a wonderful thing," said city spokesman Chip Dawson. "We love to have new friends and neighbors, but it also brings challenges."
Eighteen months ago, a land planning firm began a study on future use of the space.
It came back with a suggestion to create a "transit oriented community," an area that is close to public transportation and includes a mixture of retail space and condos.
"The City Council is looking at this study and reviewing it," Dawson said. "Some of the council members feel no changes should be made."
Some are concerned the plan will become a reality.
One resident spent $2,500 of her own money to make up T-shirts and signs that read, "Save Mulligans."
"If I tell you I bought a house next to a golf course, there is all kind of excitement," said South Jordan resident Julie Holbrook. "If I tell you I live next to a mixed-use (area), it's just not the same."
The city maintains it has made no final decision and hopes to keep an open dialogue with its residents
"They think it's wonderful to develop open space and we don't," Holbrook said.
