This morning, the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (Land Authority) released the framework plan for The Point, the 600 acres of state-owned land at the current site of the Utah State Prison in Draper. Widely seen as one of the most important economic opportunities in Utah history, The Point will create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, catalyze cutting-edge technological innovation, establish a world-class model for sustainable development and ultimately enhance Utahns’ quality of life.
The Point Framework Plan provides solid direction that will guide future development at The Point while providing built-in flexibility to respond to changing conditions. The plan identifies an Innovation District to support advanced research and job generation, a transportation system that prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists, an extensive regional parks and trails system, and a balanced mix of land uses that provide retail, entertainment and housing choices.
“Underpinned by robust market analysis, extensive data gathering, and input from over 10,000 Utahns, The Point Framework Plan outlines a clearly articulated and carefully considered approach for what is arguably the most important economic opportunity in Utah history,” said The Point Executive Director Alan Matheson. “The plan marks yet another major milestone in creating an iconic, future-focused community of which all Utahns can be proud.”
The planning process kicked off in January 2021 when the Land Authority announced the selection of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) as the lead firm to create a master plan for The Point. Known for working on some of the most technically and environmentally advanced large-scale projects in the world, SOM assembled an interdisciplinary team with the best minds in the industry to plan The Point.
After a months-long process that engaged thousands of Utahns through a series of open houses, statewide public surveys and other public meetings, the framework plan incorporates what Utahns said they want at The Point. “The Point is a gamechanger for people across the state. It is owned by Utahns, so we worked hard to ensure the plan reflects Utahns’ values and priorities,” said State Representative Lowry Snow, co-chair of the Land Authority. “The Point will be a place where the car is not king and where pedestrians are the priority. It will be an accessible entertainment and retail destination that offers attainable housing choices for Utah families of all stages and walks of life.”
Transportation
The Point will have a multimodal transportation system with a connected street grid and a high-capacity roadway. It will reduce the need for cars with extensive regionally connected biking, walking and transit systems. A pedestrian-priority area will eliminate vehicular traffic at the site’s core. The Point will have two Bus Rapid Transit stops located in strategic areas on the site to maximize ridership. From those stations, people can access the entire site within a 15-minute walk. In addition, The Point will integrate innovative transportation technologies such as a connected automated vehicle circulator system.
Parks and Open Space
Approximately one quarter of The Point has been preserved for public trails, parks and open space. The river-to-range signature feature will link the Jordan River Parkway Trail and the Porter Rockwell Trail to provide a critical regional connection. All future residents and employees will live, work and recreate within 500 feet of easy-to-access green space. To promote healthy living and provide safe recreational opportunities, nine acres of open space will be dedicated to ballfields, playgrounds, a dog park and community gardens.
Sustainability
Relative to traditional development, The Point will significantly reduce air emissions, as well as water and energy use. It will take advantage of the site’s natural geothermal resources and take steps to become a “net-zero carbon” development. It will explore forward-thinking recycling programs and require future development to adhere to leading energy-efficient building standards.
“There is nothing quite like this anywhere else in the world,” said Lieutenant Governor Diedre Henderson, co-chair of the Land Authority. “The Point will be known globally and loved locally. It will be a uniquely Utah development that will greatly benefit residents for generations to come.”
The Point Framework Plan is available on the website here and an executive summary can be found here. Members of the public are encouraged to attend an in-person open house on the framework plan scheduled for Thursday, August 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fred House Training Academy, 14727 Minuteman Dr. in Draper. The world-renowned planners and subject-matter experts who helped to create the framework plan will be available in person to answer questions. Live streaming of the event will be available at bit.ly/thepointyoutube.
About The Point
Utahns have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop the 600 acres of state-owned property called “The Point” in a way that is economically robust and environmentally sustainable. Widely recognized as one of the most important economic development opportunities in Utah history, The Point is well served by vital infrastructure and centrally located at the heart of Utah’s fast-growing technology industry. The site offers unprecedented potential to create an innovation hub that catalyzes technological advancement, fosters mixed-use urban areas and provides parks and open space. The Point’s natural assets provide an opportunity for the site to develop in an environmentally friendly way that enhances Utahns’ quality of life.
Get to The Point
More information, including live-streaming, recordings and materials of all board and working group meetings, is publicly available on The Point website at www.thepointutah.org. Follow The Point on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
