DHS finalizes ownership of massive ICE warehouse property in Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY — The Department of Homeland Security has officially taken ownership of all land beneath the massive Immigration and Customs Enforcement warehouse in Salt Lake City, resolving a recent discrepancy in property records.

The warehouse sits on two separate parcels totaling nearly 47 acres. Initially, however, only one parcel was purchased by DHS — a 24.93-acre parcel that includes the entire warehouse at 6020 W. 300 South.

The second parcel, spanning 21.85 acres, remained listed under private ownership, "RREEF CPIF 6020 W 300 S, LLC.," until earlier this week when the Salt Lake County Recorder's Office received a second deed.

"Typically, it should've been noticed that there were two parcels involved in the transaction and both of them should've had general warranty deeds," said Salt Lake County Assessor Chris Stavros. "Initially, we only had one parcel changing ownership, but now we have documentation showing both are owned by the U.S. government."

According to Stavros, the new deed was received by the recorder's office on Monday afternoon, April 13, at 3:36 p.m.

The first deed was signed and recorded on March 11. The second deed was signed on April 10, the same day KSL reported the discrepancy and sought information from DHS, the seller, and Chicago Title Insurance Company.

Unlike the first deed, which listed the full sum of $145.44 million "cash in hand paid," the newly recorded deed lists a nominal payment of $10, a common practice that Stavros feels indicates the transfer was part of the original agreement rather than a separate sale, adding that the figure is already well above their combined market value of $114 million.

"Why would you pay $145 million for half of the land and half of the building?" Stavros said. "All that does to me is reinforce (my conclusion) that the (original) purchase included both parcels."

On Monday, a DHS spokesperson, though they did not respond to specific questions about the matter, reissued an earlier statement (first sent to KSL on March 31):

"As with any transition, we are reviewing agency policies and proposals. As Secretary Mullin said in his confirmation hearing: 'I will work with the community leaders and make sure that we are delivering for the American people what the President set out. … We want to work with community leaders. We want to be good partners.'"

Stavros noted that, despite the initial discrepancy, the outcome ultimately ensures a more accurate public record. "If it took this report, from last week, to get all of the documents in order and get an accurate portrayal of the transaction, then that was a good result," he said.

With both parcels now federally owned, the entire property is exempt from property taxes, which totaled $1,053,486.59 in 2025, starting on the dates the general warranty deeds were recorded.

According to Brad Townley, Salt Lake County chief deputy treasurer, the exemption will result in a tax shift to property owners in Tax District 13Q, where approximately 291 parcels — mostly commercial — will see a slight tax rate increase.

The Office of the Treasurer estimates commercial properties in the district could see an average annual increase of about $850, based on 2025 figures, while the district's residential properties, some three parcels, may see increases of about $80 for a property with a $600,000 market value.

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