The Point of the Mountain Commission held its first public meeting Monday commencing a public engagement and visioning process for the area known as the Point of the Mountain, where Salt Lake and Utah counties adjoin.
The commission was created during the 2016 Legislative Session by H.B. 318, sponsored by Rep. Brad Wilson and Sen. Jerry Stevenson. It is a unique entity comprised of local officials, private sector representatives, and state level officials from both the legislative and executive branches. It is tasked with providing recommendations on infrastructure planning and financing tools.
The commission received an informative overview of the area from three experts in different fields.: Natalie Gochnour, associate dean of the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business and chief economist for the Salt Lake Chamber, provided economic insight; Mark Bouchard, senior managing director at CBRE, provided real estate expertise; and Andrew Gruber, executive director of Wasatch Front Regional Council, advised the commission about transportation.
“Our goal is to ensure the state takes every advantage of this unique opportunity and that every voice is heard,” said Christopher M. Conabee, commission co-chair and member of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Board of Directors. “We need thought leaders’ best planning for this area to reach its economic potential and for our state to remain globally competitive.”
Commission Co-Chair Rep. Brad Wilson provided an overview of the process and timeline, which will include contracting a national or local organization to help manage the project and process.
“This area has the potential to be an international employment and innovation center, attracting the world’s best and brightest and developing a place where our homegrown companies and people can continue to thrive,” Rep. Wilson said. “Partnering with the right group to help guide this process will be critical in executing on that objective.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, the commission created a subcommittee to draft a request for proposal (RFP), the official bidding process. The commission will reconvene for selection of a contracted firm in the coming months. The Point of the Mountain Commission is expected to deliver a report to the legislature and Gov. Gary R. Herbert before the end of the year.
