This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The LDS Church has scored another parcel of land near Provo's fire-ravaged historic tabernacle, but what the Salt Lake City-based faith will do with its new property remains a mystery.
By unanimous vote Tuesday, the Provo City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency Board, signed a letter of intent with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to sell the Hotel Roberts site at 192 S. University Ave. for $500,000.
Earlier this month, the church announced it had bought the Travelodge Motel and Los 3 Amigos restaurant, just south of the tabernacle, to "provide options" for its yet-to-be-revealed plan in the heart of Provo.
Some speculate the church plans to restore the 130-year-old tabernacle — gutted by fire Dec. 17 — or it could convert it into a temple, not unlike the former Uintah Stake Tabernacle in Vernal.
"The church is still evaluating plans for the Provo tabernacle and surrounding area and will share details as they become available," church spokesman Scott Trotter said Wednesday. "To provide options moving forward, we have acquired the hotel and restaurant immediately south of the tabernacle."
The other tract on the block south of the tabernacle is occupied by the Howard C. Nielson Post Office. U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, has said he was approached by someone in the Provo mayor's office to be a "conduit" in discussions between the church and the postal service.
Paul Glauser, Provo's RDA director, said the Hotel Roberts deal is set to close Dec. 31. Asked what the faith wants to do with that near-acre space, he said he is "not aware."
"That's part of what will be negotiated over these 90 days," Glauser said. "Usually when the church does something, they do something really nice. People are optimistic that will happen here."