PHOTOS: Utah County, Utah Lake, and now, Utah City
Aug 30, 2023, 7:00 PM
Utah City is a new 700-acre development to be built in Utah County, with a heavy focus on walkability and a sense of community. (Credit: Utah City)
(Credit: Utah City)
UTAH COUNTY, Utah — Point of the Mountain isn’t the only new development to be built in Utah County, and it’s not the largest either.
Utah City is a new 700-acre development being built along the east side of Utah Lake. Set to become the new urban center of the county, with over 100 acres more land than the Point of the Mountain development.
A view from Utah Lake of the potential skyline of the planned Utah City. (Credit: Utah City)
The lay of the land
The design of the city focuses on walkability and sustainability, according to co-managing partner Pete Evans.
“The whole idea with this community is to create a community where you don’t need a car to recreate, to go to recreation, to go to shops, to go to the grocery store, to worship, to work (or) to play,” he said. “It’s all within walking distance.”
According to the city website, the 700 acres will be divided into:
- Over 50 acres of parks and green spaces.
- 2 million square feet of retail and shops.
- 2 million square feet of restaurants.
- 17 million square feet of mixed-use spaces, including housing.
Overview of Civic Park, one of many greens areas planned for Utah City. (Credit: Utah City)
Overview of Civic Park. (Credit: Utah City)
“There will be a lot of housing,” Evans said. “There has to be a critical mass of housing to support all of those other mixed-uses.”
Apartments, townhouses and single-family homes will all be included in the city to “accommodate multiple living budgets and lifestyles”, according to the city’s website.
Evans said they’re hoping the layout of the city will bring a strong sense of community and take Utahans back to their roots.
“The goal really is to kind of go back to what people are sort of designed for,” he said. “Which is walking and being in close proximity to each other.”
Some notable features of the community include a second headquarters for the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
This new HQ will provide hundreds of jobs for Utah County residents. Additionally, it will be closer care for those who live far from Salt Lake City.
Utah City will include a second headquarters for the Huntsman Cancer Institute, bringing jobs and healthcare to Utah County residents. (Credit: Utah City)
Location and transportation
The city will be accessible traveling from the Vineyard FrontRunner Station. As well as driving off of I-15 from the 1600 North, 800 North and Center Street exits.
In combining an urban center with the state’s natural beauty, part of the city’s plans include a 12-acre promenade running through the town center. It will lead from the Vineyard FrontRunner station to the shores of Utah Lake.
A combination of recreation and urban comforts is what makes the city appealing to many.
“I think it’s really exciting to have these amazing restaurants and all the things you think of in a really urban environment,” Jacklyn Briggs, Utah City Director of Marketing said. “But it’s not separated from all the recreation. So you can experience both at the same location.”
Ground has been broken on the first 450 residential units. However, Evans said the whole city won’t be done for approximately another 15 years.
