This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Salt Lake City is marshaling resources to take advantage of a unique opportunity to build a sustainable economic engine that will benefit the city for generations to come. Over the next two years, city and state agencies will plan, design and build an infrastructure backbone, as well as create an economic implementation plan for the northwest quadrant of the city — an area adjacent to I-80, Salt Lake City International Airport and the International Center.
Most know the northwest quadrant as the site for the future state prison. While many of us continue to believe the location for the new prison is not ideal, the infrastructure coming online in conjunction with the prison construction brings an enormous job creation opportunity.
This opportunity includes state financing of basic roads, water, sewer, gas lines, fiber-optic cabling, and lighting which will serve as the backbone for an employment, light industrial, and manufacturing center. Opportunity is also found in the unprecedented cooperation from the state, county, city, private landowners, and critical stakeholders, to responsibly develop this area and protect nearly 4,000 acres of open space for wildlife conservation.
No other city in the United States has 3,670 acres of developable land within 15 minutes of an international airport, major interstate highway interchanges, vibrant downtown, and national rail crossings. Salt Lake City is already the Crossroads of the West, and a prime location for an inland port, but the northwest quadrant will catapult Salt Lake City's economic place in the western half of the United States for the foreseeable future. And business is already taking note.
Earlier this year, members of the city's new Department of Economic Development, worked with the Governor's Office of Economic Development to bring a new UPS regional hub to northwest Salt Lake City. This 900,000 square foot facility will bring more than $250 million in capital investment to the city and state, along with 1,500 good, local jobs. It will be strategically placed, just across I-80 from the northwest quadrant development area, a further enticement for businesses around the world and a benefit to local entrepreneurs.
While the state has taken the lead on future development at the point of the mountain prison site, Salt Lake City will lead the in developing the northwest quadrant — a responsibility we take seriously. Last summer, the City Council adopted a master plan for the area to help guide our future work. Consistent with that plan, I have asked the Redevelopment Agency to explore creating a project area in the northwest quadrant, and by early next year, the city will submit designs for the infrastructure backbone.
Our plans are aggressive, to match the awesome opportunity before us. Throughout 2017, Salt Lake City will review and complete zoning considerations, develop a plan for future roadways, and complete the economic implementation plan providing data and information to help us build the strongest possible economic base in the area. This work will be thorough, and done with input from experts and stakeholders, including the public and City Council. Our goal is to complete the infrastructure backbone by the end of 2018, a full two-years before construction is completed on the new prison — allowing landowners ample time to market and sell their property.
Salt Lake City's responsibility to determine the future of the area must also be based on our city's shared values. This includes ensuring every step is taken to protect the local environment and to further our city's sustainability goals.
It is time to get to work so we can make the economic opportunity of the northwest quadrant a reality for everyone.
Jackie Biskupski is mayor of Salt Lake City.