Developer chosen for Layton project
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Mitch Shaw
Standard-Examiner staff
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strong>Mayor: Vision on verge of being a reality
LAYTON -- A developer has been selected for Layton's East Gate development project, city leaders said.
However, the name of that developer is not being revealed.
"At this time, we are not prepared to release the name of the developer," said Ben Hart, Layton economic development specialist. "All we can say at this point is that we have selected a developer and they have over $1 billion in assets. We are very pleased."
The 550-acre proposed economic development area (EDA) is east of Hill Air Force Base, north of State Route 193 and northwest of the new Greyhawk housing development.
Officials hope a business research park in the EDA will bring higher-paying jobs to the Layton community.
"Obviously, the county is very supportive of anything that will bring a strong economic impact," said Davis County Commissioner Louenda Downs. "We need to have the ability to create primary jobs here and keep people in the county."
The EDA plan received the Davis County Commission's approval in late July and is a combined effort of Layton and the Governor's Office of Economic Development. It is designed to work as an economic development instrument, which allows the city to receive incentives from the governor's office to make infrastructure improvements.
As part of those infrastructure improvements, Layton has extended Fairfield Road to Hill's East Gate. The city also has plans to widen Fairfield in just north of Highway 193.
Multiple roads are planned for the southeast portion of the development, near 1700 East and State Road 193.
"Building new roads is expensive," Hart said, "But the EDA is the best way to do it. The infrastructure the EDA pays for is a benefit to all landowners."
Hart said Hill will open its East Gate when the project is ready.
Layton will look to limit retail property on the EDA and hopes to bring aerospace and composite industries to the business park.
"Utah is among the top 10 in the U.S. for concentration of aerospace employment," Hart said. "With the F-35 Raptor work at Hill and with Davis Applied Technology College's excellent composite program, we think aerospace and composite industries are a natural fit."
The land deal for the first phase of the development is under contract. The unnamed developer has purchased 65 acres with an option for another 26.
The name of the developer is expected to be released within the next few weeks.
"We are experiencing something very exciting," said Layton Mayor Steve Curtis. "We are on the verge of having our vision becoming a reality. We are in the beginning stages of something very special."
Officials say they hope to begin building in the East Gate development within a few years.
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