Cottonwood Heights City Council meets deadline in purchasing Hillside Plaza

The Cottonwood Heights City Council continues to move forward with their plans of purchasing the Hillside Plaza property (approximately 2378 Fort Union Blvd.). Throughout the beginning of this year, they have been undergoing the due diligence process by looking at existing surveys, tenant leases, utility bills and additional important documents. In addition, they have been considering bonding processes backed by sales tax revenue through interlocal agreements.

“I think I witnessed a miracle,” said spokesperson for the Hillside Neighborhood Resident Group Randy Whitehead. “There is a change happening within the city the attitude towards the city council. This city council really cares about their residents.”

The purchase price for the 10-acre property, which does not include the Walgreens’ building or parking lot, was set for $14 million. In January, Cottonwood Heights was required to make a $100,000 deposit in order to begin the process of acquiring the property. At the end of their due diligence process on Jan. 31, they were required to pay an additional $100,000 as part of their down payment.

By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

“We will facilitate reinvestment of this property to include a public purpose and private purposes,” said City Manager Tim Tingey.

On Jan. 17, the Cottonwood Heights Community Redevelopment Agency passed two resolutions to continue along the process of due diligence to acquire the Hillside Plaza.

Resolution 2023-01: Approving and Ratifying a “Shopping Center Purchase Agreement” for realty within the Town Center at 2300 East Fort Union Community Reinvestment Area was motioned for approval by Commissioner Shawn Newell and seconded by Commissioner Doug Peterson. It was unanimously approved.

Resolution 2023-02: Authorizing the issuance and sale of not more than $14.5 million aggregate principal amount of sales tax and tax increment revenue bonds was motioned for approval by Commissioner Scott Bracken, seconded by Commissioner Ellen Birrell and received unanimous approval as well.

“We are so excited for Hillside Plaza,” said resident Mickey Harris. “This is what residents want and what the community needs.”

The Cottonwood Heights City Council then passed Resolution 2023-07: Approving the Form of an Interlocal Sales Tax Pledge Agreement and the Issuance of the City Obligation Created Thereunder in the Maximum Aggregate Principal Amount of $14.5 Million, and Related Matters.

“It is in the best interest of the city to move forward with this resolution,”

Tingey said.

Resolution 2023-07 was motioned for approval by Councilmember Doug Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Scott Bracken, and unanimously approved.

“Thank you for listening to us about Hillside Plaza,” said resident Mary Allen Johnson. l

Melissa Nash, Brighton’s girls lacrosse head coach, has a magnetic personality. In her 10th year with Brighton’s lacrosse she has succeeded in attracting star-quality coaches and All-American student-athlete talent.

If proof is in the pudding, the varsity numbers speak for themselves. The team scored an astounding 250 goals last season in 19 games while allowing only 109 goals against them. Two of that senior-rich team (19 graduating seniors) are playing this season at the collegiate level. Two were knighted USA Lacrosse All-Americans. Three were given the rare honor of representing Brighton as USA Lacrosse All-Academics. And one was chosen as 5A Lacrosse Player of the Year.

The seven coaches have been coaching together unchanged for three years and were named “Best in State” for 2022. Coach Nash’s magnetic power is strong. Among the seven coaches (Melissa Nash, Chelsea Owens Worth, Mary Barton Burns, Annie VanValkenburg Reynolds, Veronica Robinson, Ryann Coombs and McKaye McMullin) are 88 years of playing/coaching experience, seven college degrees and three Brighton alumni.

This year’s draw makes Brighton girls

Brighton girls lacrosse 2023 season preview

By Jerry Christensen | j.christensen@mycityjournals.com

lacrosse the largest program in the state. Girls compete for a coveted spot in the JV and varsity teams. “The 16 graduating senior spots were quickly filled with young players ready to step up and be a spark for our team,” Nash said. “We have a very strong group of freshmen who were beating varsity teams in our sixes tournament in February. They are pushing our older girls.”

“We have two players currently committed to play at the next level. Hannah Bangerter at Southern Virginia University and Sarah Hart at Tiffin University,” Nash said.

Seasoned senior leaders and most experienced players Courtnie Wright, Hannah Bangerter, Lauren Ellis, Mary Stubben and

Sarah Hart have earned the right to lead the team on the field this season.

Expectations are high for the new season that begins with home games on the friendly turf of Freestone Field as early as March 15. Entrance is free and the community is welcome to join in following one of the best teams at Brighton High. l