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Show Bountiful Okays Mini Mall Study By GARY R. BLODGETT BOUNTIFUL The Bountiful Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors gave approval last Wednesday night to a Salt Lake City development firm to "continue studies for a proposed mini-mall in the downtown area." MACHAN-HAMPSHIRE Properties, Inc., (MHP) previously referred to as Machan, Hampshire Hamp-shire and Pruitt were given the green light in the form of a written contract to spearhead studies for a proposed mall in the downtown area of Bountiful between Center St. and 400 North on the east side of Main Street. The Salt Lake firm agreed to the contract "with some minor stipulations." A SPOKESMAN for MHP said they would begin extensive studies immediately and would have sketches and architectual plans prepared for the RDA Board of Directors "in less than 180 days." The contract, however, is for 260 days with an extension possible that would extend the agreement for nearly one year or until June 22, 1982. APPROVAL OF the RDA Board with board members Bob Linnell and Jay Bingham absent-raised absent-raised some objections from persons attending the public hearing. Among the complaints was the question ques-tion whether or not the RDA director had appropriately appropri-ately publicized the meeting. They also objected to only one developer being signed to a contract stating that the RDA Board has often said there would be several developers onsi- dered and each plan would be judged on its own merit. ASKED IF the contract would "bind Bountiful to the single developer in the event of future development develop-ment in the downtown area," RDA Attorney Bill Oswald replied: "I would liken the contract to an engagement of marriage between two persons. We have placed the ring on the finger of MHP, but there is nothing binding bind-ing between the two parties, only a commitment, and the latter could be broken by either party. "IT IS hoped, however, that if MHP performs well the city would honor its commitment and engage that firm in any future development. Meanwhile, the city will not court any other developers during the next 260 days at which time a final commitment (agreement) (agree-ment) will be made between the two parties." Atty. Oswald emphasized that the prepared agreement agree-ment is written in such a way that it strongly supports Bountiful and Bountiful's interests. "I'd say the contract con-tract favors Bountiful 90-10 but that is something the developers are going to have to live with." , GARY MACHAN agreed that the contract heavily favors Bountiful and said a few revisions may have to be made. "But the changes, if any, would not seriously se-riously change the contract. It w ill still strongly favor Bountiful's interests." Among other things, the agreement stipulates that there will be step-by-step approval of all MHP actions ac-tions and advance approval of plans, financing, etc., by the RDA Board. Progress reports would be made monthly by MHP to the Board of Directors. MR. MACHAN said "at least 5.50,000" will be spent on studies and plans for any development proposal. "So it's easy to see why an agreement is needed. We need to know that we have the support of the RDA board," he said. Director V.A. (Kit) Bettilyon said there had been some opposition to Bountiful signing an agreement with a developer because of comments made a few weeks ago by Richard Prows, prominent developer, who said an agreement is "not necessary and should not be made." "BUT I want it known that Mr. Prows just recently signed a similar contract with Salt Lake City's Redevelopment Rede-velopment Agency," said Mr. Bettilyon. "If he doesn't believe a contract is necessary, then why did he sign one?" The six-page agreement between Bountiful's RDA and MHP spells out responsibilities and expectations of both sides with the first paragraph noting that MHP will complete studies, documentations and drawings at their own expense and gives Bountiful RDA a "hold-harmless" provision and indemnification. indemnifica-tion. THE CONTRACT also provides a full disclosure to financial and other pertinent information about MHP, and provides that MHP will work directly with the city's RDA Board of Directors and in cooperation coopera-tion with citizens' groups. Also, the agreement specifies that the developer (MHP) must provide "letters of intent" from potential poten-tial major (anchor) stores and also smaller tenants of the propsed mall. |