Smith’s Marketplace set to build following council’s decision

By Briana Kelley | [email protected]

A valuable redevelopment project is set to move forward following the unanimous approval of South Jordan’s city council on Nov. 1. The Smiths Project will bring a Smith’s Marketplace, retail stores, fast food and housing to the property at 1600 West 11400 South in South Jordan.

“I’m still favoring this over all of the other proposals that have come forward to us,” Mayor David Alvord said. “I do have some concerns over the loss of revenues to our other stores. There are some pros and cons to this project, but overall I’m going to recommend this be passed tonight.”

The master development agreement outlines the expectations between the developer and the city. Density per acre was a major discussion point of the agreement; council members wanted to keep it low. In the end, the developer agreed not to exceed eight units per acre on the housing portion. 

“We’ve agreed to eight units per acre. We’d love to have more, but we’ve agreed to that. My suggestion is that we get on with this and see if we can get a project done,” developer Rob Moore said.  “The residential will come back for your review. Hopefully you will be fair with whoever the developer is that comes. We need to move forward, and in the interest of moving forward, I’d say leave it at eight that’s what we agreed to, and let’s see if we can get going on this project.”

Councilmember Patrick Harris also wanted to guarantee greenspace for future residents, something that was not specified in the agreement. The specifics of quality and greenspace will be determined  later. 

“We don’t lightly give these types of tax breaks to just anyone,” Harris said, “And I think these types of things should be thoroughly discussed and reviewed in what is the best interest of the city and future economic development. I do think, as the land is sold, I do think we should strongly take into consideration that we are giving this type of incentive here and that we need to make sure that it is a quality product. I think that it needs to be livable and to have some green space.”

The city will provide performance-based tax incentives for the project. Brian Preece, City Commerce director, reminded the council that redevelopment rarely happens without incentives from the city. The project will incorporate the businesses already located at the site, including Holiday Oil, Canyon Bicycles and Clayton’s Tire Pros.

Councilmembers Don Shelton, Tamara Zander and Brad Marlor all voiced their support for the development to move along. All three voiced their concern that further delays and stipulations could cause the project to die and wanted to move the project forward. They also recognized that, though important, the residential portion of the development was only a small part and should not hold the whole project up.

“This piece of property is a prime example of what can be done with redevelopment, and I’m excited to see that happen,” Marlor said. “I’m hoping that we will see a developer of the residential area step up and do a quality development. I think that’s what every one of the members of this council want to see. In the end, that [residential] piece of redevelopment should not be wagging this redevelopment’s tail.”