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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
FARMINGTON — Some developers are trying to turn a new shopping center into a holiday destination.
Station Park in Farmington is getting ready to unveil a Christmas village, which is part of a long-term plan to draw shoppers to Davis County. The village, scheduled to open Nov. 25, will sit in the center of Station Park, right outside the Cinemark theaters.
"We look at this as not something we're doing just for today or for this year, but we wanna build traditions," said Craig Trottier, Station Park's developer.
He says this holiday display, featuring an ice skating pond and a 35-foot Christmas tree, is part of a long-term investment to turn the area into both a shopping and social destination.
"One of the main goals we had in building a project was to provide that upscale, fun atmosphere where you could shop, where you could dine, you could come spend an evening," Trottier said.
One of the main goals we had in building a project was to provide that upscale, fun atmosphere where you could shop, where you could dine, you could come spend an evening.
–Craig Trottier, developer
People who live nearby, like Bountiful resident Melissa Sanders, say it's something the area has been lacking.
"I think it will be a lot of fun. I think we need some more entertainment in the area, especially up North," Sanders said.
"Before, we didn't really think about it," said Fruit Heights resident Winston Gillies. "But coming here, and having access here, is a lot closer to where we live than going up to Layton or coming down to Bountiful."
City leaders say, once finished, Station Park will provide a major economic boost for Farmington, bringing in at least $500,000 in tax revenue each year.
"We've got 300,000 car trips a day that go right past that location," said Farmington City Manager Dave Millheim. "So historically, you've seen people doing a lot of shopping in the Layton area and in downtown Salt Lake, but there really hasn't been much in the middle, and we think we're gonna capture a big piece of that."
By bringing a Christmas Village to Farmington, city and county leaders hope more people will spend their holiday time, and money, in Davis County.
"We'll build up on that every year," Trottier said. "This is really just the beginning for us." The area where the Christmas village is going up will also become a central courtyard to the shopping center.
Developers are also building a $2.5 million fountain, designed by the maker of the fountain at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. That should be finished by next Spring. They also expect to have more than a dozen additional stores and restaurants open by then.
Email: manderson@ksl.com
