Officials in Draper City and Salt Lake County will debate separate resolutions Tuesday night urging the state to revisit the concept.
Huntsman scrapped the idea after a feasibility study showed moving the now 57-year-old, 689-acre complex could cost the state $372 million.
He had hoped the state could generate enough money from selling the land so taxpayers would not be left holding the bag. But a feasibility study showed there would still be a huge gap to fund.
The proposed move was complicated by the vast on-site facilities - the complex is fitted with everything from a chapel and medical clinics to greenhouses and an execution chamber. Additionally, 1,200 employees and 1,500 volunteers work there, and 4,500 inmates call the prison home.
The resolutions caught most officials by surprise. Neither the governor's office, prison officials nor lawmakers had heard anything about them.
Huntsman's spokeswoman, Lisa Roskelley, said the governor is interested in looking at the idea, but until it's economically feasible, it's likely the prison will remain where it is.
Once it's economically viable to move it, she said, he would like to do so.
Prison spokeswoman Angie Welling said Friday that the administration would not take a position at this time.
And some area lawmakers said while they haven't heard any buzz on Capitol Hill, they would support the move.
Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, said he hopes local officials will work with state lawmakers to "put it on the radar."
With vast amounts of growth in the bedroom communities of south Salt Lake County, Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, said he is sure the land has rapidly appreciated since the 2005 feasibility study, narrowing that funding gap.
Stephenson said he'd like to see whatever the market commands, not some artificial decision by policy makers.
"It's clear by its location that this property would be among the most prime, undeveloped property on the Wasatch Front. It should be put to a better use."
Where would the new prison go?
County Councilman Jeff Allen, who is proposing the resolution along with his colleague Michael Jensen, mentioned Grantsville or the Salt Lake Valley's west bench.
Past rumors have focused on Tooele and Sanpete counties.
David Dobbins, Draper community-development director, said the current prison property would be better used as an employment base and to offer additional housing and retail opportunities.
sgehrke@sltrib.com
County resolutions
* Recommend that part of the Utah State Prison site be used for a commuter-rail station, a future state university campus. The remaining nearly 400 acres would go toward commercial, industrial and residential development.
* The measures call on the state to reassess the health, safety and welfare costs of operating the prison in a highly populated area.
* Supporters of the move say the opportunity costs associated with not moving the prison "far exceed the benefits of maintaining the current location."
