Pleasant Grove to bulldoze historic homes? Not any time soon, city says


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PLEASANT GROVE -- Rumors have been running around town that city crews are close to demolishing several old homes. Turns out no bulldozers are aimed at any homes, but there are plans being made for the city's long-term future.

Paul Hales has lived in the Ashton home in the center of Pleasant Grove for six years. The home itself has been standing since 1865. Hales and his wife are working to preserve the home, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

"I think a lot of people know if you refer to this house in Pleasant Grove, that they will know what house they are talking about. It's a well-known historical monument to this area," Hales said.

But a preliminary future plan by city officials in Pleasant Grove could put the several homes near City Hall in jeopardy. And even though the city's concept plan for the neighborhood is in the early stages, the Utah Heritage Foundation is already weighing in by asking the city to reconsider.

"It overreaches. It proposes to demolish as many as 25 buildings, 17 of which are historic," said Kirk Huffaker, the foundation's executive director.

One home the city is considering tearing down is owned by Pleasant Grove City. It's on the same block as City Hall and right next to the city's library. Still, city officials emphasize that no decisions have been made yet.

"There's nothing imminent as far as the city tearing anything down," said city administrator Scott Darrington.

He and other city leaders say a new city hall, fire station, police station and arts center are all several years down the road. But they are working to develop a plan to look to the city's future.

"We want to be visionary. We want to create new things and make our town look vibrant," Darrington said. "But we also are aware we have a rich heritage here and a history, and we want to be sensitive to that."

For now, Hales plans to keep on improving the home built by the pioneers of Pleasant Grove while city leaders deal with the age-old question of preservation versus progress.

"This is our house, our home, and a place that we cherish," Hales said.

City officials stress that the plans are in their earliest stages and no decisions will be made without extensive public input.

Email: spenrod@ksl.com

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