The move will free up eight west-side acres at 900 South and 300 West - home to the current fleet operations and a prime spot for redevelopment.

"It's a great area," said David Oka, the city's Redevelopment Agency director.

The city plans to relocate its fleet-maintenance work to a former park-and-fly lot at 1954 W. 500 South. The city bought nearly 12 acres for the facility - a parcel that can serve the fleet for more than 30 years, said John Spencer, the city's real property agent.

"This gives us the ability to expand," Spencer said.

It will take more than a year before the move happens.

Such a move has been studied as the city looked to redevelop the 900 South and 300 West corridors. The city already is spending millions on improvements to a mile of 900 South between Main Street and the Jordan River.

The Utah Transit Authority added emphasis to the area when officials opted to build a TRAX light-rail station nearby along 200 West. Developers have responded by adding nearby housing.

Problems with the existing fleet facility also helped push the city toward a move.

A study found the shops have more than 30 problems including faulty ventilation that forces employees to breathe engine fumes. Proposed renovations costing $11.2 million would not fix everything.

Renovating the existing facility "probably wasn't the best use of city resources," Spencer said.

If the city had poured the money into the current facility, it still would face a relocation in 10 years, Spencer added.

That made moving - at a higher cost than potential renovations - appealing.

The price and funding for the new fleet facility have yet to be determined.

jsantini@sltrib.com