Provo MSA Development Thread

[Utahn]

Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi announced last week that Provo was actively looking to take the next steps to expand the airport to 10 gates (up from 4). She mentioned officials did not anticipate the demand at the airport, and the airport had nearly reached capacity.

It's unclear from her statement whether launching international flights depends on the expansion or can happen before.

“With international flights from Provo to Cabo, Cancun and elsewhere, the airport’s name will change to the Provo International Airport,” Kaufusi said.

Two airlines have signed an agreement to fly to international destinations out of Provo.

The airport is already at capacity and the mayor is again out seeking financial help to build out more gates, a runway and a customs desk. She’ll need about $65 million and she is determined to get it, ideally without bonding.

https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/2...exceptional-city-announces-future-goals/

[delts145]

I tried to book roundtrip flights in and out of Provo recently. LOL, it was impossible, even many weeks out! ...I guess that's a good sign of how busy they are, and the urgent need for expansion.

[Paniolo Man]

Since I haven't seen either pop up in this thread yet.

Here is an updated render of the Provo Station pedestrian bridge.


And a lovely look at the upcoming Provo Towne Center target.

[Utahn]

More information on the potential for Provo airport expansion. Looks like international flights are contingent on the expansion which would include an inspection station for customs to operate out of. Mayor hopes to open the expansion sometime in the next three years.

Since opening the terminal, Airport Director Brian Torgersen said they've had over 300,000 passengers pass through.

"We forecast this year will be up around 750 to 800,000 passengers. And we just expect that to increase over time."

As a result, Kaufusi said the airlines are now eager to provide additional routes to international destinations such as Cabo and Cancún. However, this means the airport would need to expand, again.

The price tag for the expansion? Roughly $62.5 million.

"We are trying to get federal funding, state, county and [Mountainland Association of Governments] funding. We're trying to get all our partners to come back in and help us," Kaufusi said.

https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/20...XAebwkZxtMvN9kRJ2C3fuKpScxs8Ude315M3w42w

[Utahn]

Originally Posted by Paniolo Man

Since I haven't seen either pop up in this thread yet. Here is an updated render of the Provo Station pedestrian bridge.

It will be great to see this pedestrian bridge finally finished. Provo Mayor also announced that a pedestrian bridge will be constructed across University Avenue at the Provo High site. Not many details there yet!

[delts145]

Originally Posted by i-215

It's the grid. Pedestrians need a network to walk around. Otherwise, it becomes a tall building with a big parking lot.

That's why San Bernardino feels like a "downtown" even though "The City" in Orange has a better skyline.

That's good news for Utah. Think of all the little central business districts that can urbanize into mini-downtowns! Midvale, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, old Magna, Bountiful, even Kaysville somewhat.

Other places like West Valley and Orem can, at best, turn into "The City."

Very much agree I-215. One thing you and I have both noticed that many out-of-state tourists don't realize is how many charming village centers dot the greater Los Angeles Metro. That's my big hope for the Wasatch Front, to see towns like American Fork, Payson, Midvale, Farmington, etc. really get into giving their town centers the charm and walkability that were so prevalent during the turn of the 20th Century.

[Old&New]

Originally Posted by delts145

Very much agree I-215. One thing you and I have both noticed that many out-of-state tourists don't realize is how many charming village centers dot the greater Los Angeles Metro. That's my big hope for the Wasatch Front, to see towns like American Fork, Payson, Midvale, Farmington, etc. really get into giving their town centers the charm and walkability that were so prevalent during the turn of the 20th Century.

Municipalities could buy up their historic main streets and run and manage them like malls.

[Old&New]

Duplicate

[Paniolo Man]

Utah strikes deal with Texas Instruments for $11 billion expansion in Lehi
Deseret News Feb 15 2023

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Wednesday announced what his office called the “largest private economic investment in state history.”

Looks like TI has big plans for the semiconductor fab they recently bought from Micron.

[delts145]

WOW, this is very exciting news. The exponential effects on growth for the northern and southern climes of the Southern and Central Metros will be very impactful. The average wage of over 800 workers in the six figures!

[delts145]

Update - The Ruth and Nathan Hale Center Theater - Under Construction - Pleasant Grove

“We have long admired the incredible product the Hale family has put on its stage for the last 32 years, and when we saw an opportunity to welcome them to our city, we didn’t think twice about it,” said Guy Fugal, mayor of Pleasant Grove City. “This change will allow the Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater to grow to new heights while also bringing tremendous economic impact to the city. We know our citizens, as well as art lovers from across Utah County and the state, are celebrating
this announcement and are excited for the possibilities.” The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater is set to break ground in Pleasant Grove in the summer of 2022 with building completion expected in early 2024.

... In collaboration with the Cook Center for Human Connection and the City of Pleasant Grove, doTERRA has donated $5 million and provided the land that has allowed the theater to begin construction of its new performing arts facility. As part of the relocation to Pleasant Grove, the Hale Center Theater Orem will be formally renamed “The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater” and less formally known as “The Ruth,” in honor of the founders.

Ground was broken late 2022, and plans are to open our 2024 Season in the new theater. We could not be more excited!

November 15, 2022 - Groundbreaking

...We can’t wait to tell you more about “The Ruth” and how we designed its interior. The new theater will feature two stages. The main proscenium thrust theater will seat approximately 670 patrons and have the option of being a complete theater in the round. The second smaller flex theater will have configurable seating options, allowing for ultimate creativity. It will seat around 250, depending on the configuration.

Of course, plenty of restrooms and more legroom are very important, and have been designed into the space, but the greatest attention has gone to keeping an intimate feel to the larger space. It is essential that we keep the feel of the theater as intimate as possible, to retain the charm that patrons have come to love, albeit in a more comfortable space.

The theater facility will completely house the Hale Academy for the Performing Arts, which is the education division of the Hale Foundation. The Education Wing will house multiple classrooms and vocal studios, as well as a dedicated Recital Hall for students to showcase what they have learned. Youth productions will be presented in the smaller flex space theater.

A large event space as well as an intimate VIP lounge will give opportunities to businesses and groups to have pre-show dinners right at the theater.

A special thanks to Joe Smith and Team at Method Studio for their hard work on the conceptual plans and renderings.

.

[delts145]

New Hotel for Downtown Provo

Posted By Tosh Metzger on Facebook

Looks like Provo is getting a Doubletree Hotel! Updated to be built at the old Harris Music block on 300 South University.
Provo needs another hotel to help our convention center. We have 2, we need 4 to make it more viable. This hotel will play a key role in making that happen.
215 rooms
40,000 sq foot Conv. center/meeting space
Two restaurants (rooftop and balcony)
12 stories
2 Indoor pools
Balcony overlook

.

[Utahn]

So bummed that this was an April Fool's Joke! Would have been great for Provo!

Originally Posted by delts145

New Hotel for Downtown Provo

.

[Paniolo Man]

Bill Harris music closed?

Devastating if true.

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by Utahn

So bummed that this was an April Fool's Joke! Would have been great for Provo!

Wait, what? This was an april fools?

You'd think they go with something a bit more unbelievable for april fools. This proposal looks like it fits perfectly for Provo

[delts145]

I also thought it was an excellent fit. Too bad Provo doesn't have any current local forum members anymore who can give us regular photo updates. There are so many projects between Provo and Orem that get little to no attention. Then this joker who claims to be so invested in his local development posts something like that and thinks it's funny. Not amused even if it is April Fools.

[Utahn]

Originally Posted by Paniolo Man

Bill Harris music closed?

Devastating if true.

Bill Harris music did relocated from their original University Avenue site a few years back. The post was talking about the original store site.

There was a proposal for that site out forward a few years ago (linked below). I think it has been posted here before, but not sure of the status. I know it went through some revisions, and I believe it was alive as of a year ago?

https://www.pci1980.com/works/harris-music-multi-family-housing-development

[delts145]

My understanding was that particular large residential project to replace Bill Harris fell through.

[poodledoodledude]

I posted the April Fools joke on the Facebook page. I wanted something that was really REALLY believable…. And it worked you can tell I’m very interested in development and thought the doubletree hotel was a PERFECT fit. I even found a rendering that looked like it matched the area. I’m so sneaky…. I do a joke every year on the page, and it’s been a great tradition… although many are disappointed my ideas have never come to fruition….

Provo airport wants to expand. BAD. They need it. They’re already bursting at the seams. An international desk would work wonders. 3 more gates to make a total of 7 would do wonders. I think they should just expand to 10 gates NOW…. But it is all about funding for sure. I think Provo also needs to go from class d airspace to class c airspace so we have a more legitimate presence and keep our airport tower open 24/7 instead of closing at night…

[poodledoodledude]

Originally Posted by delts145

I also thought it was an excellent fit. Too bad Provo doesn't have any current local forum members anymore who can give us regular photo updates. There are so many projects between Provo and Orem that get little to no attention. Then this joker who claims to be so invested in his local development posts something like that and thinks it's funny. Not amused even if it is April Fools.

I’m the joker but you know what, the jokes actually get people talking about development, which is a good thing. I’m Sorry if you thought it was poor taste. I’m my defense, as you know, i’m totally for development in Provo and think this town has a lot going for it. The joke was just that: a joke. Posted on April fools day. Like every year. One time the Daily Herald even fell for it. I guess that means im doing something right, in the fact that when I say it, it must be true! LOL… so it makes me feel like I have some credibility