It's a difficult image to conjure up these days - especially when standing on the weed-clogged corner of 4700 South and 5600 West, where rust-splotched tracks, an abandoned warehouse and lines of chain-link fence topped with barbed wire have left an industrial stain on the property.

But Charles Henderson, chairman of the township's economic-development committee, believes the 75-acre property someday could sprout another Jordan Landing or Gateway mall - a "destination"-type development that would create jobs and capture tax dollars now slipping out of Kearns.

He's not alone in that vision.

"We're just trying to create a little renaissance here, if you will," Kearns Community Council Chairman Chuck McDowell explains, "and redesign the look of Kearns."

The chairman pauses from beside the rocky rail bed, wind whipping through his hair, and adds, "Change [Kearns] from old to new."

Salt Lake County is contemplating a redevelopment area (RDA) on the northwest corner of Kearns, along with two others in Magna and west Millcreek.

If the county decides to pursue those plans - which will hinge largely on a feasibility study that officials will present in August - an RDA project could create a revenue stream in this west-side suburb for paving roads, pouring curbs and gutters and sprucing up infrastructure on the property.

Here's how the redevelopment area would work: Once the RDA project is formed, the county could divert a percentage of the new property taxes (generated from any increase in value because of new development) into land improvements. Those dollars then act as a financial incentive for developers who might not consider the property otherwise.

The county could begin creating that RDA plan as early as next year, economic developers say.

"We are just trying to do what we can for Kearns," says Emily Farmer, redevelopment manager for Salt Lake County Office of Business and Economic Development. "It would be nice for the community to have a place to call their own."

The county plans to roll out its RDA feasibility study to impacted property owners on July 21 at the Utah Olympic Oval, 5662 S. Cougar Lane (4840 West) in Kearns. A town hall presentation will follow in mid-August.

Kearns' warehouse district retains some historic charm - despite the crisscrossing chain-link fences and heaps of discarded debris.

Standing along a rugged dirt road in northwest Kearns, Henderson lifts his sunglasses and points out a concrete foundation that was poured when Camp Kearns occupied the property during World War II. A new warehouse has risen on top of it.

Kearns isn't trying to force manufacturing out for some dazzling shopping district, Henderson says. Those companies - including Prolux Manufacturing, Hallmark Cabinets and 3-D ART - can stay as long as they want. The community may even decide to keep an industrial park on the property.

But when those businesses decide to leave, Kearns officials hope to have a financial incentive to lure new development, new jobs and new life to a blighted corner of their community.

"When you close your eyes," McDowell says, "envision this as another Gateway area in downtown Salt Lake City. "That is how I envision it."

jstettler@sltrib.com

What's next

* Salt Lake County will unveil its feasibility study on a proposed "warehouse district" redevelopment area in northwest Kearns at noon July 21 at the Utah Olympic Oval, 5662 S. Cougar Lane (4840 West). The meeting is limited to landowners who would be impacted by the move. A broader town hall presentation will occur sometime in mid-August.