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Richard Piatt ReportingGroundbreaking news from Draper today, IKEA's Utah store is now under construction. City officials and IKEA officials are trumpeting the store's opening as a testimony to growth in the area.
The construction equipment is here. The first pieces of ground are broken. One year from now, IKEA will be open in Draper.
Joseph Roth, IKEA: "We have about 35,000 customers in Utah, and we think it's time is due. And some would say, overdue."
On a 22-acre field will go a 310,000 square foot store, with 1,500 parking spaces. Inside, 10,000 items will be for sale, everything from sofas to storage units, furniture to finishing touches.
In the larger picture, this dusty lot represents a larger transformation for Draper. It wasn't that long ago that a stretch of 123rd South was also a dusty field: farmland primed for development. Now, more than ever, Draper officials are facing a huge challenge to find balance.
Pete Larkin, Draper City Council: "I have mixed feelings about growth in general, and I think a lot of people do. I remember pheasant hunting on this exact piece of land for many many years."
Now IKEA also signals a new beginning; even more retail to meet the demands of a growing population.
Darrell Smith, Draper City Mayor: "I just expect this area to blossom, and a lot of people waiting in the wings to locate here."
Draper is trying to balance its growth. More than a thousand acres in Corner canyon will remain open space forever. But other issues keep popping up too, most recently a disagreement over allowing a Deseret Industries along 123rd South.
Stephanie Davis, Draper City Council: "We're working with them, as we do all developers, to find the best fit and the best place for them to go."
Especially on a day like today, you can talk about the winds of change. But the reality is the way this state is growing is a bit more subtle, and probably requires more constant attention
IKEA says it's grand opening will be 'Spring 2007'. Draper's store will be the 30th IKEA in the United States.
