St.George Metro:Official Development News Thread

[Wasatch_One]

Originally Posted by delts145

Very cool, I saw the name Wren, and I channeled a vision of you eating at Chadder's. Wow, I'm semi-psychic. Seriously, I'm glad to hear the burgers are still good there. I haven't been back in a while.

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there is a new place in Orem called EZ take out burger by the University Mall on State St. Its out of southern California and their one other location... In Orem Utah... haha, anyway, it is very very similar to In-n-Out as well... tasty and cheap!

[leerjet]

Mmmmm.... hamburger....

[delts145]

Booming St. George area to get new courthouse

West Elementary School is demolished to make way for the new 5th District Court building

By Mark Havnes
The Salt Lake Tribune


The new 5th District Courthouse in St. George scheduled to be finished in fall 2009. (Rendering courtesy of VCBO Architecture)
Crews on Tuesday start demolishing West Elementary School in St. George to make way for a new 5th District Courthouse.

ST. GEORGE - The new courthouse is going old school. Well, it's going where an old school sat, anyway.
Last week, crews knocked down the walls of West Elementary in St. George to make way for a 5th District Court building to serve booming southwestern Utah.
Scheduled for completion by fall 2009, the new courthouse will more than double the number of courtrooms - from three to eight - and also have room for a federal magistrate.
Four judges share three courtrooms in the current building, which opened in 1981 and was supposed to last 50 years.
"Back then no one anticipated how fast the region will grow," explained Rick Davis, trial court executive for 5th District Court.
Davis said the Legislature pegged $29 million for the new courthouse, which will be built so courtrooms can be added in the future.
Alyn Lunceford, facilities manager for state courts, said the current St. George facility is often crowded and noted prisoners have to pass the judges' chambers to reach a courtroom.
"We had no idea back when the courthouse was built what kind of security we need today," Lunceford said. "Nowadays you have to prepare for the worst."
West Elementary's 500 or so students vacated their school in mid-January and now attend Heritage Elementary.
Meanwhile, the current courthouse will go to the city for additional office space.
Assistant City Manager Marc Mortensen said St. George took control of West Elementary, near 300 West and Tabernacle Street, in a property exchange with Washington County School District.
The district gained land for two new grade schools. The city then swapped the West Elementary property to the state for the new courthouse in exchange for the current courthouse across the street from city offices at 200 East and 220 North.
Mortensen said the city plans to remodel the old courthouse and eventually hopes to connect the two buildings with a tunnel or skywalk.
mhavnes@sltrib.com

[delts145]

St. George,.... To become a film production Mecca? - Apple Valley is location for a new movie studio

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1...225953,00.html


Apple Valley, Utah

applevalleyutahland.com

Next Entertainment and affiliated companies Lone Wolf Productions Group and Imagic Technologies said Wednesday that the Sky of Dreams Ranch — hailed as "a blend of arts, culture and nature" — will be on 2,700 acres in Apple Valley, east of Hurricane in Washington County...

... Plans include a resort hotel and spa, a golf course, a private jet park, an equestrian center, restaurants and retail, an amphitheater, a natural-healing center, a mustang preserve, a American Indian cultural center, a Southwest science center, a fresh- and saltwater aquatic center and a technology research campus. All elements will use earth-friendly themes and green technology.

"It's a learning center in addition to a film production facility, so it's a multi-use project that has a large vision," said Mac Adamson, an executive producer who is a principal of the ranch, along with Lee Steadman and Jan Myrick.
The production facilities will include a facilities for computer-generated imagery and post-production work, as well as a back lot with a Western street, small-town square and large-city square.

..."Eventually down there, it could become a real film mecca," he said. The completion of the new St. George airport nearby will help make it attractive, with 45-minute flights from Los Angeles.

The development is a big thing for Apple Valley, a town incorporated in 2004 that now has about 650 residents. Mayor Mary Reep called the Sky of Dream Ranch "wonderful."

"What's really good about it is that everybody in our town moved out there for the beauty and the quiet and the serenity, and I think that's a lot of their focus, which is very unusual with developers, and we appreciate that very much," she said.

...Shaun Heseltine of Builders Development Group and The Boardwalk Group will handle management and development of the project. Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate will handle project marketing, and Axis Architects will be the project architects.

"We're going to do this completely right," Steadman said. "This is one of the most exciting things that's ever been done for Utah."

[delts145]

Pic By Willie Holdman
Ahlstrom point overlook, gunsight butte, lake powell, southern Utah,

Powell pipeline estimated at $1billion

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1...244381,00.html

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[baggins]

from the Coeur d’Alene thread:

Originally Posted by jimthemanincda

N. Idaho a great place to start a business
by: Robb Hicken

Inc.com says Coeur d’Alene is a great place to go to go into business. And Los Angeles Times article says that looking for the right place to open a store or set up a company is better done outside of California, according to the Web site Inc.com’s annual ranking of the best cities for doing business.

The top cities listed are Midland, Texas; St. George, Utah; and Coeur d’Alene. The Website, allows browsers to see the rankings grouped by size or state. The rankings are based on a formula that looks at short- and long-term employment growth rates.
Source: http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive...art-a-business

Here are the top 10:

Rank City State 2007 Nonfarm Employment (1000s) 2007 rank Change in Rank
1 Midland TX 66.8 11 10
2 St. George UT 53.5 1 -1
3 Coeur d'Alene ID 57.5 10 7
4 Odessa TX 60.9 30 26
5 Auburn-Opelika AL 55.9 17 12
6 Wilmington NC 147.4 26 20
7 Bend OR 71.6 6 -1
8 Myrtle Beach-North Myrtle Beach-Conway SC 122.7 13 5
9 Grand Junction CO 63.9 18 9
10 Greenville NC 78.7 97 87

[delts145]

Thanks for the heads-up on that baggins. Here's the article from Inc., published July 2008

Why Small Cities Rock

Forget New York and San Francisco. With beautiful scenery, skilled workers, and affordable housing, smaller cities are luring companies in droves.

By: Delore Zimmerman

They may not make a big splash nationally, but small metro areas continue to dominate the top ranks of Inc.com's Best Cities rankings. This year, for example, 18 of the top 25 cities are small metros.

We decided to take a look at what makes these places tick by focusing on one of them. St. George, Utah, has a lock on first or second place for the third year in a row. St. George is the bustling population and commercial center of Utah's Dixie, a nickname given to the area when Brigham Young persuaded Mormon pioneers to grow cotton and wine grapes and harvest silk for export to the Civil War-torn northern states.

The cotton plants, grapevines and mulberry bushes largely are gone, but the area overall is thriving. Nestled near Zion and Bryce National Parks, St. George has been attracting visitors and retirees for decades. But increasingly, the new houses lining the red-bluffed valleys are not occupied by those at the end of their productive lives; they are being snatched up by younger people and families anxious to take advantage of economic opportunities in a lovely setting. The population has doubled every decade in the last three.

But it’s not just scenery that attracts. This is a community with a strong sense of pride and connection with its past. And unlike many attractive communities, this one still wants to grow -- and has done so by appealing to companies from giant Wal-Mart (which has a distribution center here) and Skywest to entrepreneurial firms who are filling the spacious, orderly industrial parks in the region.

St. George also is taking advantage of its location. With easy access to I-15, between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, notes Scott Hirschi, director of the Washington County Economic Development Council, it’s within a day’s semi-truck ride from almost the entire West Coast. At its current pace, Washington County is expected to grow to between 600,000 or 700,000 people by 2050.

In some small metros, as shown by the dominance of Texas cities in the overall rankings, the resurgence is due to the fact that the pillars of the economy -- food, energy, and manufacturing -- are in high demand in the global economy. For others it's the presence of a university or college, the beautiful scenery and abundance of recreation activities, the proximity to a large metro area, or the position within a multi-polar urban complex. In places like Bend, Ore., or Bellingham, Wash., a combination of factors -- beautiful settings, movement of skilled workers and entrepreneurs -- has come together to create a robust crucible for attracting new talent and new businesses.

Affordability is also a critical factor. St. George is joined this year near the top of the rankings by its intermountain neighbors Salt Lake City and Provo. So, it seems that Utah’s strong and diverse job growth and low housing prices -- at least compared to California -- continue as a draw for people seeking more affordable communities ideal for raising families and growing businesses.

"St. George is the last small, snow-free community as you travel east from California’s Pacific Coast,” says the town's development director, Scott Hirschi. "And, we have no gambling here which appeals to people that are looking for a family-friendly community."

[delts145]

St. George residents can go solar in December
- Service to be offered to 39K people; electricity rate may drop about $9


Phillip Solomon, energy services director for St. George, on Monday shows off a solar panel that will be used in a solar power farm in St. George. Our slogan is 'Tomorrow's Power Today,' Solomon says. (Mark Havnes/The Salt Lake Tribune )

By Mark Havnes
The Salt Lake Tribune

ST. GEORGE - The sun is shining on St. George power users.
Starting in December, residents can go solar - at least partially - without having to attach panels to their home and have solar power supply about 15 percent of their energy.
While the investment might cost in the short-run, residents will reduce their carbon footprint and are protected against possibly surging energy costs, said General Manager and CEO of Dixie-Escalante Electric LaDell Laub.
Laub said the average monthly bill for St. George power customers is about $75. Factoring in a 15 percent credit from the SunSmart program, the rate could drop about $9.
St. George is working with the privately owned Dixie Escalante Electricity to offer the program to 39,000 city residents.
Under the plan, residents make a one-time payment of $3,000 for a 70 kilowatt-hour unit or $6,000 for 140 kilowatt-hours. Solomon said 140 kilowatt-hours is about 15 percent of a homeowner's average monthly power bill. The payment gives participants ownership of the power-generating panels for a minimum of 19 years, the average lifespan of a solar panel. After that time, customers can decide if they want to continue with solar power.
Laub said the solar panels provide customers certainty in energy costs.



"What the program provides is a long-term hedge against the future price of electricity if it continues to go up," Laub said.
St. George Mayor Dan McArthur said there is a growing number of residents seeking renewable forms of energy who are blocked by restrictive neighborhood covenants.
"Not all people are treated the same, but with the city program anyone can get solar power no matter where they are and get credit back on their bill," McArthur said.
The system means St. George is ready if either federal or state government mandates use of renewable sources.
"We want to be on the edge if that happens," McArthur said.
Laub said the program gives customer fixed rates, even if energy costs increase.
"What the program provides is a long-term hedge against the future price of electricity if it continues to go up," he said.
The SunSmart program has city officials erecting 561 solar panels on 14 acres on St. George's southern border. The power is funneled through a substation to the subscriber's home.
"Our slogan is 'Tomorrow's Power Today,' " said St. George Energy Services Director Phillip Solomon.
Panels produce a guaranteed minimum of 800 kilowatt hours per year in southern Utah, which averages 310 sunny days annually.
Solomon said the panels will start being installed next week and servicing customers by December.
In its session earlier this year, the Utah Legislature approved a one-time state tax credit of 25 percent of the purchase price for solar-power equipment up to a maximum of $2,000.
Laub considers the program a first for Utah.
"We're plowing new ground," Laub said. "The driver of this is that we get a lot of requests from customers who want to have solar [capabilities] on their own homes and integrate it with the grid, but can't because of challenges including cost. We can do it for about half the cost of an individual doing it on their own."

More info
To learn more about the program and how to participate, visit www.sgsunsmart.com, or, city power customers can call 435-627-4841. Dixie Escalante Electric customers can call 435-673-3297.

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[delts145]

Groundbreaking to mark St. George airport project - About $110M in federal funds will pay for most of the $170M project

By Mark Havnes
The Salt Lake Tribune


Earth moving equipment with contractor R.E. Monks works Wednesday on moving earth for the new St. George Municipal Airport. (Mark Havnes/The Salt Lake Tribune)

ST. GEORGE - Call it a long flight delay.
The idea for a new airport in St. George has been in the air for about 20 years, but it was only this month that construction crews landed. Since Oct. 1, a fleet of giant earth-moving vehicles has been rearranging 4 million cubic yards of dirt, preparing a 1,300-acre site in the southeast part of this city for a runway, taxiing strips and terminal building.
"It's unusual to build an airport from scratch," said Mayor Dan McArthur. The work has a ways to go, with a grand opening slated for November 2010.
Friday will mark the project's official groundbreaking, a ceremony that will likely include members of Utah's congressional delegation and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.
"This hasn't been easy, but a long, expensive process," McArthur said. Conceived in late 1980s, the idea has weathered several obstacles.
The city battled lawsuits from environmental groups regarding noise levels from proposed flights over nearby Zion National Park, and mitigating threats to sensitive species.
A boundary dispute involving Washington City and Washington County also slowed the airport plan. McArthur estimates delays have added about $80 million to the project's price tag. "It's refreshing to resolve the issues and receive final approval," said Marc Mortensen, support services manager for the city.
About $110 million in federal funds will pay for most of the $170 million project with the rest coming from the sale of St. George's existing airport and a city bond.
The project shouldn't increase taxes for Washington County and St. George residents, said City Manager Gary Esplin on Wednesday. He doesn't expect an economic slowdown to affect the project unless the federal government surprises the city and doesn't fund its portion. McArthur said the new airport could bring in $200 million annually to the local economy, about 10 times more than the existing airport. Rick Crosman, the manager of the current St. George Municipal Airport, said the new airport will have a 9,300-foot long runway with the capacity to expand to 11,500 feet. He said the new runway could handle jets such as 737s.
If St. George proves a popular destination, the facility could be assigned air-traffic controllers, Crosman said. Controllers are not required under the current levels of air traffic. Crosman said the existing airport has been a challenge for some pilots since it opened in the 1950s because of its mesa-top locale and proximity to cliffs and tricky winds.



The new airport expects to retain SkyWest Airlines as its major carrier. SkyWest offers five daily flights to Salt Lake City and two to Los Angeles-bound flights. Connecting flights through Delta and United will continue. SkyWest spokesperson Marissa Snow, said Wednesday the airline will continue to offer the current level of flight service on its 30-passenger Brasilia turbo-prop airplanes at the new facility, but add more flights and possibly larger planes as demand dictates. St. George resident Darby Jones, who flies frequently, said he looks forward to the new facility. "It will be great for the community and hopefully help business flourish," he said.

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[wrendog]

I wish they would release final renderings of the terminal at the new St. George airport!

[delts145]

Ground Broken For New St. George Airport


dostgeorge.com

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705256290,00.html

ST. GEORGE — Hopes were sky high in Dixie Friday as hundreds of people showed up to an official groundbreaking party for a $175 million airport to be built about seven miles southeast of the city.

"One of the biggest things I am probably ever asked is, 'When is the new airport going to be built?'" St. George Mayor Dan McArthur told an enthusiastic crowd gathered at the site for a ceremonial kick-off to the airport's 24/7 construction schedule...
Story continues below

...Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, said he remembers hearing from the mayor about the need for a new airport years ago....

...Republican senators Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett also reminisced about the old days when the replacement airport was a mere twinkle in the eye of area leaders...

"Commerce is going to go up greatly with this airport and, as unbelievable as this sounds, this area is going to go up greatly in value," said Hatch.

Bennett said that 10 years from now locals will look back with pride on the day construction began at the replacement airport site.

"With the completion of this airport, St. George will not be second class to anybody. It is going to bring economic balance to this community," Bennett predicted.

Russell Childs, president and chief operating officer of SkyWest Airlines, said pilots constantly ask him when the new airport will be ready for service.

...A grand opening for the replacement airport is anticipated for November 2011. The city's current airport, located on a landlocked mesa top in the middle of St. George, will eventually be redeveloped with trails, parks, a variety of residential choices and commercial areas.


Bob Rock of Washington City surveys the St. George airport site. It's slated to open in late 2011. (Christopher Onstott, The Spectrum)


Christopher Onstott, The Spectrum

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[delts145]

Dixie State College Expansion

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,514...00000000007738


Artist's drawing of the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons building, to be built at Dixie State.

The 110,000-square-foot building is slated to become the hub of the campus, housing nearly 50 classrooms, a library, various student services, as well as options for food and Internet access that will invite students to remain for extended hours to gain depth of knowledge and breadth of associations, according to Dixie President Stephen D. Nadauld.

[skyguy414]

St. George creates website dedicated to construction updates of the new airport:

visit: http://www.sguconstruction.com


Image by St. George Airport (www.sguconstruction.com)

This website has a lot of pictures of construction updates as well as renderings of the new terminal. Unfortunately, the terminal renderings are in .pdf format so I can't show them to you here.

The new terminal, while nice, looks rather small and doesn't really look like it accomodates expansion very well as the city grows and demand increases. It's far better than what the current airport has now though.

[wrendog]

Color me not impressed with the new airport. Wow, that is boring. Very disappointing. Not even any jetways. Uggh.

[skyguy414]

Originally Posted by wrendog

Color me not impressed with the new airport. Wow, that is boring. Very disappointing. Not even any jetways. Uggh.

I'm pretty sure they have stated the new terminal will have jetways or will at least be capable of adding jetways. (even though they don't show in the renderings).

[delts145]

Thanks for the update Skyguy. Please keep us informed of any skuttlebutt you hear through your grapevine on this important project. This will only propel St. George even further, during it's next boom cycle.

This is one airport that will have the potential to grow rapidly, once it's established. St. George is definitely on track to becoming Utah's next major metro.
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[delts145]

Lake Powell Pipeline clears another hurdle

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705284732,00.html


by FroncoisRoche

The state Division of Water Resources received a federal stamp of approval to begin environmental and cultural resource studies for the $1 billion Lake Powell pipeline project.

The latest hurdle cleared by state officials was presented Thursday in an update to the Utah Board of Water Resources...

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[aspiringArchitect]

Has there been anything on Elim Valley, lately? It seems like they are still going forward with the project since they now have a new website.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by delts145

Artist's drawing of the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons building, to be built at Dixie State.

Where are they going to get the water for all that grass?

Oh yes,




that explains it.

[jedikermit]

Gah! Of all places, St George should be at the heart of xeriscaping...

There is a lot more residential xeriscaping down there now than there was ten years ago, which is good. I wish Dixie State would get on board with it too.

If it's any comfort, I think the lawns around that building are already there...so putting the building there will reduce the amount of lawn acreage.

Yeah, not much comfort.