Pl. Grove leaders want to build 4-block city campus downtown
A panoramic view of downtown Pleasant Grove. A proposed downtown Pleasant Grove civic center will house new city and public service offices in a four block area. MARK JOHNSTON/Daily Herald
By Cathy Allred
The Daily Herald
PLEASANT GROVE -- Forget what you know Pleasant Grove's Main Street looks like, instead visualize a four-block municipal campus with a village-type setting done in early 1800s-style architecture, and you have the dream city leaders are working to make a reality.
"It's been germinating for years," said Pleasant Grove's Community Development Director Ken Young, adding that the revitalization of the downtown area has been discussed at several meetings.
The city of Pleasant Grove began advertising for proposals March 1 from firms interested in designing and constructing a civic center that would ideally include a city hall, a fire station, a library, a police station, a justice court, arts center, a 2-acre park, amphitheater and underground parking. Thinking ahead, they want the plans made for a city of 60,000, which is Pleasant Grove's projected build out population.
Young said the idea of a downtown campus became more conceptualized with the help of the American Institute of Architects Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team in 2006, and even more so during the city's general plan update and the birth of the Downtown 2020 Action Plan. It was during the 2020 Action meetings that those participating decided on an old-style early 1800s village concept.
"Instead of spread out and modern looking, we want to go up and old looking, a turn of the 19th century appearance," Young said. "We do anticipate it being built in phases, but how many phases and how long, that is all in question."
He said the idea of clusters of facilities will help to create phases when parts of the plan can be built. The Downtown Advisory Board has been included in planning because the city also wants to create space for commercial entities.
"My concern about downtown is that something happens down there that brings people in, and the idea of the civic center fits it a little better than most," said Dale Warburton, Downtown Advisory Board chairman.
He said there is also a great need for buildings to house municipal services.
"Our fire department is really hurting size-wise, the library needs a definite expansion, and the police department needs new space," Warburton said.
There is an informational meeting planned for Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Pleasant Grove Council Chambers, 70 S. 100 East, and the deadline for proposal submittals is March 17.
"Anyone can come, but we are anticipating it will be potential solicitors," Young said.
The project area is in the Downtown Pleasant Grove area, about 17 acres, of which the city owns 8 acres; and taking a broad brush to the proposed campus area, the plan reaches from 100 North to 200 South from 200 East to Main streets.
"How soon we can anticipate a civic center downtown is in question simply because of the finance element and how much it will cost," Young said. "What we are trying to do is get started with a plan ... and take it as we can finance it."
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If this so called "pipe dream" was going to get built somewhere in downtown Provo you all would be disappointed that this hasn't started yet. 
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