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Show dJJfiimflailhi IBsisSn x&taundaurd Thursday, November 19. 1981 Uintah Basin Standard 17 Editors Note: This is the lint of three ertfcleo dealing with the faepoct el the prepeeed shopping eeaten ea the business i the Bollard, Roosevelt ead Duchesne areas. This week's article win leek at the prepeeed - devefoumeats. Next week's article will deal with the views ef local hasiaesaasca with the Baal article to deal with the cwasamera' poiat ef view. It has become a very sought after market! The "Oil Boom" of the early 1970s came and passed so quickly that developers never really had a chance to design and construct shopping facilities in the Roosevelt-Ballar- d area, the main shopping center for Duchesne County. However, two developers are hoping to take advantage of a projected growth for the area, and are now planning facilities, one each for Roosevelt and Ballard. "We have a lot of confidence in whats happening in the Uintah Basin, and feel there is a good opportunity," said Richard Schmutz, Ballard West Development "We feel that Ballard offers good commercial development opportunities. Ballard Support A public meeting was held Thursday, November 12, in Ballard to gain approval for a proposed cone change which would allow them to construct a shopping center along Highway 40 between 1100 East and the Uintah Basin Concrete batch plant This includes approximately 90 acres of land. There was no opposition to the zone change, and with the Ballard City Councils decision last week to endorse the Industrial Revenue Bonds, the project for Ballard West Development has been given the green light "It (the decision) means that we can begin to contact possible tenants, said Ralph Brown, Ballard West Development Even though Ballard has stressed their support for the proposed development, Ballard Town Councilman, as well as residents, received a proposal from developers Rahlp Brown and Richard Schmutz that requested a zoning change for the construction of a proposed shopping center in Ballard. Pictured left to right are Mayor Karl Shisler, Verden Heaton, Keith ' Haslem, and Bob Abercrombie. The zoning change passed unanimously. According to Ralph Brown, this opens the door for them to begin contacting possible tennants. Last week the Ballard City passed an inducement resolution for the Council Richard Schmutz pointed out that immediate progress is still not guaranteed. Mr. Schmuts said their project will proceed as the market will allow. He said they realize it will take a long time to realize the complete project but plans will be progressing on the initial phase of the Ballard project. "We looked at this area (the Roosevelt-Ballar- d area) a couple of years ago," said Schmutz, "and we came back last summer. Both Brown and Schmutz were involved with a earlier this summer which, E reposal ad it passed, would have seen the construction of a shopping center on the Labrum property directly east of .the existing Safeway Store. When the proposal was rejected by the Roosevelt City Council, because of a prior agreement with Jim Hatch, Brown and Schmutz began looking elsewhere. Location Decision "We are very interested in the e development possibilities in (he area, said Schmutz. He stressed that even though they approached Roosevelt first, they are very pleased with their location in Ballard. Schmutz said they are looking at the entire area more than just one town. Ralph Brown commented that the Labrum property was very desirable, but they feel they have a location just as desirable, even though they had to move down the road a few blocks. "We feel the location we have selected in Ballard is an excellent spot for such development, said Brown. Both men said they feel that the two sites offer the basics needed for a successful development. Schmutz said they chose their locations based on the access for shoppers, the location of residents to the shopping center, and how close the shopping center is to the main thoroughfares. Ralph Brown said that both sites offer these basics, so the appeal of both are strong. However, both developers pointed out that the support of Ballard is overwhelming. "The cooperation of the community is essential stated Schmutz. "The attitude of Ballard is very conducive Brown said. toward development, And while the community of Ballard supports the development, both men stressed that the population base is right for such a shopping center. Population "The population in Ballard, Roosevelt, and surrounding areas is sufficient now, but interest rates may be a problem, Ralph Brown said. Schmuts added that they have looked at existing populations in the Ballard- long-rang- Verden Heaton, as well as the remainder of the Ballard City Council, supported a zoning change for the proposed shopping center. An inducement resolution was signed last week by Ballard. Ballard City Councilman Orlan Cook reviews informa-tio- n submitted developers see another major reason for the development. Schmutz said they see a terrific "market leakage from the Roosevelt-Ballar- d area to Vernal and Salt Lake. He added that they feel the Vernal market has matured and they now see future growth for Roosevelt and Ballard. The big trigger in the interest for development in the area is the interest in energy, said Brown, "and that means growth. It takes bodies to make a shopping center go, and we feel the bodies are here." Mr. Schmutz said their decision to locate in Ballard was based on the market area and the services offered. Schmutz pointed out that a large supermarket usually requires between 5,000 and 7,000 people. All of that, however, depends on the other stores available. Both stressed there are other important factors looked at before making their decision to propose a shopping center. Utility Concern One of the biggest concerns of the developers is that of available utilities. "Ballard has plenty of water, and shopping centers dont have that much said Brown. discharge of sewage, "We can use septic tanks on a temporary basis." He added that because Ballard is in the process of planning for new sewage treatment facilities, they aren't too worried about this issue. We just don't feel there will be a problem with sewer facilities in the first phase of the said Schmutz. (The first project, phase will include a major grocery facility and additional convenience stores.) Both Brown and Schmutz said they feel good about the project. Because the project has been supported by Ballard, they are hoping to begin work as soon as possible, although Brown pointed out interest rates may be a problem. He added, however, that if rates drop in the next few months, development could begin within the next year. And while the preliminaries have been settled in Ballard, Jim Hatch has been negot Riling with tenants for his prefiosed facility at the rodeo grounds in Roosevelt. Hatch Prdfcressing Jim Hatch is presently in the of signing two major tenants iirocess development. "Wf're close on both of them, but neither has signed. Hatch said they feel they have' a mod site in a primary growth area. "Roosevelt is ready for the center." Hatch pointed out that Wasatch Opinion Poll has conducted market surveys for .them, and they have also run internal polls. He said they all to the fact that the growth potential for Roosevelt is there. Hatch said they are planning their facility on the basis of the market area they estimate between 13,000 and 14,000. Roosevelt is basically a ' tight market, but the growth potential is there," said Hatch. He said a lot of what happens regarding the developments depends on what happens in the area, but he said he ftyls they have the proper location, and are certain the need is there. Things are looking good, and it loflks like well be doing what we contracted to, said Hatch. "I have not had a lot of negative comments about our development, and we will be out of With two the ground in 1982. proposals for development, concerns were expressed earlier this summer City Council by the Roosevelt regarding the effects of two malls on the business climate in the area. Mall Impact "I don't thinly you will find a "Ghost Town syndrome, said Hatch. Hatch said there will be some impact from his development, but added that the impact should be short-lived- . He pointed out that any businesses that leave the downtown area will be paying higher rent fees. The spaces point Continued on page 1 9 by developers Ralph Brown and Richard Schmutz at last Thursday's Council meeting. The City Council passed a zone change. Roosevelt area and have determined the total market to be about the same as that of the Vernal area. Mr. Schmutz said they estimate the desired market area to contain approximately 16,000 people, roughly the same as the Vernal market. Along with the present population base, the Purification plant has backorder blues All progress will slow down to a drop throughout the winter with the new Duchesne Valley water purification plant, Danny Kofford, plant inspector, announced. The plant had several parts on back order and without a definite promise of when the parts would be here plus the oncoming ice and freezing conditions of winter, it was deckled that it would be better to wait until spring to open the facility. Kofford explained that as the back ordered parts were received, crews would be available to come to the location and install them to speed up the spring opening. Kofford explained they had been working with only a skeleton crew, while waiting for the parts to come. He stated that everything will be completed up to the parts that werent here. The item back ordered were the coagulant mixers that mix new water with the mixture which precipitates out the particles which would be in s coagullar suspension; the roto-meter- that control the outflow of the chlorine solution; the carborundum filter plates that fit on the bottom of the meters. One shipment has been received but they are still waiting for the remainder of these filters. "These are items that the plant can't said go into production without, Kofford. Other than these few missing parts, the plant will be finished except for landscaping, testing and disinfecting of the pipeline. That will be completed in March. Redevelopment District moves closer to reality It will help the MOUNDS OR TAXES Leola Freston and Jessie Petross go through about half of the books of taxes that have been received this year from Progressive Management Systems that provides computer services to the County. downtown district of Roosevelt to better meet their needs. That is the basic idea behind the concept of the redevelopment district, and the Roosevelt City Council took steps Monday evening to further the progress on that proposal. Glen Vernon, City Administrator, said the City adopted a resolution Monday which established the Redevelopment Agency, which will be the City Council. Vernon pointed out that this is common practice. He stated the responsibility of the Redevelopment Agency is that of developing a set of bylaws which will govern the district when it is finally established. The administrator said the City Council is now working on the bylaws and they will hopefully adopt them at the next meeting. The step following the adoption of bylaws, according to Vernon, is that of defining the area. He said this will be accomplished by having their consultant work with the City Council to determine exactly which areas will be included in the district. When this task is completed, they will then hold several public hearings for input. Although the meetings are public, they are not a typical public meeting. Vernon said that citizens of Roosevelt may have input at the meetings, but they have no power to shape what happens regarding the establishment of the district. Vernon S-- . T said the main reason for this is that the Redevelopment District won't really affect the citizens. It is just a method of providing organization to the businesses and helping them work more closely with one another. The administrator said the taxes of private citizens will not be affected, nor will the bonding capacity of Roosevelt City. Vernon then added that the final groups to be contacted after the district is defined are those entities receiving property tax money from the stores within the district. The administrator said this will include such entities as Duchesne County, and the Duchesne County School District. |