MAKING "THE POINT"

By Alan Matheson, Executive Director of the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority

What today is the site of the Utah State Prison will, in a few years, become a thriving, future-focused innovation community known as “The Point.”

The Point presents market opportunities that are unavailable anywhere else. In summer 2022, the state prison will move from Draper to its new location, opening the door to an unparalleled 600-acre economic development and quality-of-life opportunity.

Utah has led the nation over the last decade in population growth and economic performance, and The Point is at the epicenter of that growth. For the past 10 years, half of all new businesses in the region have been located in the Point of the Mountain area.

The Point is in the heart of Silicon Slopes, one of the nation’s most dynamic high-tech centers, supported by a young, educated, and entrepreneurial workforce. It’s well-served by high-quality transportation, fronting major highways, and current and future public transit. The stunning views of the majestic Wasatch Mountains further distinguish the site.

This development project has been called a “once-in-ageneration” opportunity, and rightfully so.

Advancing that opportunity is the responsibility of the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (Land Authority), created by the Legislature and overseen by a board of 11 state and local leaders tasked with providing an economic and social return on the public investment. The Land Authority sought input from Utah residents – the owners and beneficiaries of this project – and over 10,000 Utahns responded, sharing their ideas, hopes, and values. The Land Authority also engaged the internationally recognized planning team of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to create a framework plan for The Point based on legislative direction and public priorities.

The framework plan, completed in August 2021, envisions the site’s transformation into a live-work-play community – a model of thoughtful planning that preserves what we love about Utah and acts as an economic catalyst providing outstanding career opportunities.

The plan features a mixed-use core surrounding a central park, forming a retail and entertainment destination unique to the region. A river-to-range parkway will connect over 100 miles of regional trails and serve as the site’s active transportation and recreational backbone. Imagine taking a lunchtime bike ride from the office, over a bridge across I-15, to the exhilarating Corner Canyon trails, before returning for an afternoon of work.

The Land Authority is implementing strategies to accommodate emerging mobility options, incorporate technologies to make life safer and more convenient for residents, and significantly reduce air emissions, water needs, and energy use.

The Point will:

• Provide a range of housing options,

• Create thousands of high-paying jobs,

• Catalyze cutting-edge research,

• Nurture new ideas and products to solve Utah’s challenges, and

• Provide an exciting gathering place with restaurants, parks, plazas, and entertainment venues.

The Land Authority is committed to making The Point a welcoming destination for everyone and a place that will benefit current and future generations of Utahns. With the help of world-class partners and continuing public participation, The Point will be known globally and loved locally.