The City Council unanimously added the “City Center Vision'' to West Valley City's general plan Tuesday night, and Mayor Dennis Nordfelt said, “My expectation is that this will be implemented by the first of the year. I wish it could be that quick.''

But the creation of a “heart'' for Utah's second largest city will take decades, if it happens at all. The plan is only a blueprint for what the City Council wants an L-shaped area between 3500 South and 2700 West to look like in the future.

Making it a reality is up to developers.

Currently, the area is a mix of retail and offices. Most notably the street is home to the Valley Fair Mall, City Hall, state and city courthouses, grocery stores, restaurants and big-boxes, like Toys "R" Us.

The plan calls for a light rail line along 2700 West, with a stop on 3600 South. At that stop, city leaders see a pedestrian plazalike business area.

The plan also calls for a face-lift for 3500 South, transforming the busy street into a boulevard with a raised median and and lined with businesses, rather than large parking lots.

In calling for a downtown, the city wants to attract developers who would bring retail, housing and offices to the area.

With mass transit, the city wants to make the area a destination location, similar to Salt Lake City's Gateway shopping area.

“This is a completely different plan than what we've had in this town,'' said Councilman Russ Brooks. “We're going to make this the best possible place for people to live.''

The plan, however, doesn't prohibit the city from changing its mind, particularly if a developer has different ideas.

“It's a vision,'' said Councilman Steve Vincent. “It does not preclude a developer from proposing something else.