"CWC Inc. President Phil Cooper broke ground Tuesday for his and the City of Eagle Mountain's first full-service grocery store, Coop's Market.
Twenty shovels, with bright red bows above gold-toned blades, stood ready before the ceremony at 93662 N. Ranches Parkway on Tuesday. About 75 people -- dignitaries, businessmen and residents -- turned out for the city's historical event.
"We're excited to be here, and we're excited to put this project together," said Cooper at the event. He said the store will employ 75-125 people and that he hopes to have 90 percent of those employees come from Eagle Mountain.
The future store will be built on property that was used as a dry farm primarily for wheat in the early and mid-1900s by Lehi residents Virginia and Rodney Chase Allred.
An anchor for a 10-acre shopping center, the 50,000-square-foot Coop's Market will feature a bakery, deli, indoor and drive-up pharmacy, an organic food section, a butcher-block meat counter and a fresh produce section.
Residents currently need to go to neighboring communities for major grocery shopping. The opening of Coop's Market will likely change that.
"We've been working on this project for a couple of years now, and I know it's just a grocery store but hopefully this will stimulate a lot of other commercial development," said Ifo Pili, the city's economic development director. "I'm excited for the residents. It's been a long time coming. We're 23,000 residents, and we've needed a grocery store."
He said some of the delay in moving the project forward was because it will be the first of its kind in Eagle Mountain and it involved several different parties.
Coop's Market is a member of Associated Food Stores, a grocery cooperative.
The building design shows piers, canopies and trellises to give the structure variety and interest. Done in an old-market theme, the design makes use of the natural light in the area with more windows than is typical for a grocery store.
"We wanted to provide some visibility from the street and give it a sense of transition from exterior to interior," said Prescott Muir architect Corey Cracroft.
In addition to the grocery store, there will be two retail pads and three in-line storefronts available -- two small and one medium -- comprising 18,000 square feet.
R&O Construction will be working on the project. No completion date for the store was given, although many of the speakers said they were excited to see the project started." -Daily Herald
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Eagle Mtn. Shopping Center on SR 73
Looks like they're finally pushing some dirt around for the new Coop's Market shopping center in Eagle Mountain.
Shopping Just Got Easier for Eagle Mtn. Residents
This Wednesday at 7:30a the new Wal-Mart opens in Saratoga Springs. Say goodbye American Fork.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
White Hills Residents Question Annexation
"White Hills resident David Myers said, "It sounds like communism to me. We have 130 people, but our fate is being decided by five people on the Eagle Mountain City Council that we didn't have a vote in electing. It's Big Brother going to tell us how it is."" -Daily Herald
Monday, April 13, 2009
Camp Williams Artillery Exercises
"The Utah National Guard announced that it will conduct a series of artillery training exercises over the next three months at Camp Williams.
Three units of the Utah National Guard, the 640th Regional Training Institute, 1-145th Field Artillery and 2-222nd Field Artillery, are planning exercises during the following dates:
• April 9-12, 640th RTI Live-Fire Exercise
• May 2, 2-222nd Spring Shoot
• May 16, 1-145th Crew Certification
• June 1-5, 2-222nd Annual Training
• June 16-24, 1-145th Annual Training
The April and May dates listed above consist of regularly scheduled drill-weekend training exercises that occur at Camp Williams on an annual or more frequent basis. The June exercises are events that are typically scheduled at Camp Williams every fourth or fifth year. The last time such an exercise was held at Camp Williams was in 2003. Those expected to be most affected by these events are residents of Bluffdale, Riverton, Herriman, Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs and Lehi.
For more information on the April exercise, contact the Utah National Guard hot line at (801) 878-5421. A separate hot line number for the May and June artillery exercises will be announced soon." -Daily Herald
Three units of the Utah National Guard, the 640th Regional Training Institute, 1-145th Field Artillery and 2-222nd Field Artillery, are planning exercises during the following dates:
• April 9-12, 640th RTI Live-Fire Exercise
• May 2, 2-222nd Spring Shoot
• May 16, 1-145th Crew Certification
• June 1-5, 2-222nd Annual Training
• June 16-24, 1-145th Annual Training
The April and May dates listed above consist of regularly scheduled drill-weekend training exercises that occur at Camp Williams on an annual or more frequent basis. The June exercises are events that are typically scheduled at Camp Williams every fourth or fifth year. The last time such an exercise was held at Camp Williams was in 2003. Those expected to be most affected by these events are residents of Bluffdale, Riverton, Herriman, Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs and Lehi.
For more information on the April exercise, contact the Utah National Guard hot line at (801) 878-5421. A separate hot line number for the May and June artillery exercises will be announced soon." -Daily Herald
Friday, April 10, 2009
Eagle Mtn. Offering Shade at a Discounted Price
"Eagle Mountain is going green -- in the traditional leafy way.
The city is selling large trees away at a vast discount, hoping to add some shade to the city.
The city has ordered 250 of the deeply discounted trees, which were donated by an Oregon company with the city paying only shipping, said city spokeswoman Linda Peterson. Normally the trees would cost between $250 and $300, but the city is offering each tree for $65.
Originally the city was going to use the trees for its parks, but decided to offer them to residents in celebration of Arbor Day. The varieties include Austrian pine, locust, ash, maple, ornamental fruit trees and more, Peterson said. All were chosen because they do well in Eagle Mountain's climate. The trees range in size from 10 to 30 feet.
"It is important for people to know that these are very large trees and they need to bring a vehicle large enough to transport trees that size," Peterson said. "A mini-van will not work."
"Trees are such an asset to the community, we wanted to give our citizens the opportunity to purchase them when we were able to secure them at such a good price," City Administrator John Hendrickson said.
The first shipment of 85 trees has already sold out, and the city is expecting the next shipment at any time. The arrival will be announced on the city's Web site, www.eaglemountaincity.com
Buyers must live in Eagle Mountain and provide either a photo ID or a copy of their utility bill for verification. Payment may be made with either a check or exact cash. There is a limit of three trees per family. Trees will be sold until the supply runs out.
Trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Eagle Mountain City Public Works building, 2545 N. Sweetwater Road, Monday-Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. For general questions, you may call (801) 789-6670; however, the city cannot take orders, reservations or payment over the phone." -excerpts from Daily Herald.
The city is selling large trees away at a vast discount, hoping to add some shade to the city.
The city has ordered 250 of the deeply discounted trees, which were donated by an Oregon company with the city paying only shipping, said city spokeswoman Linda Peterson. Normally the trees would cost between $250 and $300, but the city is offering each tree for $65.
Originally the city was going to use the trees for its parks, but decided to offer them to residents in celebration of Arbor Day. The varieties include Austrian pine, locust, ash, maple, ornamental fruit trees and more, Peterson said. All were chosen because they do well in Eagle Mountain's climate. The trees range in size from 10 to 30 feet.
"It is important for people to know that these are very large trees and they need to bring a vehicle large enough to transport trees that size," Peterson said. "A mini-van will not work."
"Trees are such an asset to the community, we wanted to give our citizens the opportunity to purchase them when we were able to secure them at such a good price," City Administrator John Hendrickson said.
The first shipment of 85 trees has already sold out, and the city is expecting the next shipment at any time. The arrival will be announced on the city's Web site, www.eaglemountaincity.com
Buyers must live in Eagle Mountain and provide either a photo ID or a copy of their utility bill for verification. Payment may be made with either a check or exact cash. There is a limit of three trees per family. Trees will be sold until the supply runs out.
Trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Eagle Mountain City Public Works building, 2545 N. Sweetwater Road, Monday-Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. For general questions, you may call (801) 789-6670; however, the city cannot take orders, reservations or payment over the phone." -excerpts from Daily Herald.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Eagle Mtn. Unanimously Approves Addict Rehab Home
" The City Council, after fielding public comments for more than an hour, unanimously voted to approve a conditional-use permit for The Ark of Eagle Mountain, a sister facility to The Ark of Little Cottonwood. Both cater to professionals recovering from drug and alcohol abuse.
The council had tabled the proposal in March, insisting that Boberg provide a detailed landscaping plan for the home.
But council members were clear that putting it in a residential neighborhood in this northwestern Utah County city was not their idea. Instead, they said it was a decision forced on them by federal law and court decisions that protect the rights of the disabled.
"I firmly believe that this is a horrible decision," said Councilman Nathan Ochsenhirt, adding that he hoped The Ark would be a "blessing to this community, and not a damnation." Like the rest of his colleagues, Ochsenhirt said he had nothing against treatment centers for addicts; he just thought Eagle Mountain was the wrong place for them.
Councilman David Lifferth said Eagle Mountain is a 45-minute ride from American Fork Hospital -- under ideal traffic conditions. That could prove deadly, Lifferth said, if one of Boberg's clients attempts suicide.
"I think it is negligence on your part to position your place so far from needed medical care," Lifferth said.
Boberg, The Ark's executive director, said Lifferth overlooked the fact that Intermountain Healthcare is building a medical facility in the city.
As for the choice of Eagle Mountain, she said it is a place where her clients will be surrounded by natural beauty as they put their lives back in order.
"As I told them before, why not Eagle Mountain?" Boberg said.
Many of the residents who spoke had reasons for wanting it to go elsewhere.
"I don't think any of us here in the neighborhood are opposed to people getting help, said Jorge Sagastume. "But in our neighborhood, you cannot run a business out of your home."" -SL Trib
The council had tabled the proposal in March, insisting that Boberg provide a detailed landscaping plan for the home.
But council members were clear that putting it in a residential neighborhood in this northwestern Utah County city was not their idea. Instead, they said it was a decision forced on them by federal law and court decisions that protect the rights of the disabled.
"I firmly believe that this is a horrible decision," said Councilman Nathan Ochsenhirt, adding that he hoped The Ark would be a "blessing to this community, and not a damnation." Like the rest of his colleagues, Ochsenhirt said he had nothing against treatment centers for addicts; he just thought Eagle Mountain was the wrong place for them.
Councilman David Lifferth said Eagle Mountain is a 45-minute ride from American Fork Hospital -- under ideal traffic conditions. That could prove deadly, Lifferth said, if one of Boberg's clients attempts suicide.
"I think it is negligence on your part to position your place so far from needed medical care," Lifferth said.
Boberg, The Ark's executive director, said Lifferth overlooked the fact that Intermountain Healthcare is building a medical facility in the city.
As for the choice of Eagle Mountain, she said it is a place where her clients will be surrounded by natural beauty as they put their lives back in order.
"As I told them before, why not Eagle Mountain?" Boberg said.
Many of the residents who spoke had reasons for wanting it to go elsewhere.
"I don't think any of us here in the neighborhood are opposed to people getting help, said Jorge Sagastume. "But in our neighborhood, you cannot run a business out of your home."" -SL Trib
Monday, April 6, 2009
UTA Up and Running in Eagle Mtn.
"For the tens of thousands living in Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs, there's finally a new way to get to Salt Lake for work. A new express bus route is rolling.
"That's good, probably a good idea. If you work uptown or something, that's probably the way to go," one man told us.
Some residents are saying anything to reduce traffic, and that will allow them to leave the car at home, is a good thing and needed; others not so happy about the price to ride.
UTA says the cost of a one-way express bus fare is $4.50 and a monthly unlimited express bus pass is $162.00. "I don't think it's worth it for the price they're charging," another man said.
Right now, there are only two buses that make the trip, but several residents say it's a start. They hope to see more buses added as more people jump aboard." -ksl.com
"That's good, probably a good idea. If you work uptown or something, that's probably the way to go," one man told us.
Some residents are saying anything to reduce traffic, and that will allow them to leave the car at home, is a good thing and needed; others not so happy about the price to ride.
UTA says the cost of a one-way express bus fare is $4.50 and a monthly unlimited express bus pass is $162.00. "I don't think it's worth it for the price they're charging," another man said.
Right now, there are only two buses that make the trip, but several residents say it's a start. They hope to see more buses added as more people jump aboard." -ksl.com
Eagle Mtn. Traffic Delays Equaling Progress
"Commuters in Eagle Mountain are facing a double dose of road construction.
The intersection known as the four corners in Saratoga Springs is a major route for motorists to and from Eagle Mountain. Redwood Road and State Road 73 in the area both are under construction. Both roads are being widened.
"It takes 15 more minutes, 15 to half an hour longer," one motorist said.
But Scott Thompson of the Utah Department of Transportation says when it's all completed, today's delays will lead to a much better drive.
"(They've) got a new Wal-Mart going in out there. You have a lot more people coming back and forth," he said.
Redwood Road is being widened from Bangerter Highway on the north to 400 South in Saratoga Springs on the south. It should be finished by this fall.
The S.R. 73 work should be wrapped up in June." ksl.com
The intersection known as the four corners in Saratoga Springs is a major route for motorists to and from Eagle Mountain. Redwood Road and State Road 73 in the area both are under construction. Both roads are being widened.
"It takes 15 more minutes, 15 to half an hour longer," one motorist said.
But Scott Thompson of the Utah Department of Transportation says when it's all completed, today's delays will lead to a much better drive.
"(They've) got a new Wal-Mart going in out there. You have a lot more people coming back and forth," he said.
Redwood Road is being widened from Bangerter Highway on the north to 400 South in Saratoga Springs on the south. It should be finished by this fall.
The S.R. 73 work should be wrapped up in June." ksl.com
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Councilman comments on Eagle Mtn. Wanting More Roads Commentary
These are comments from Eagle Mountain City Councilman David Lifferth regarding my commentary on Eagle Mtn. wanting more roads. I always appreciate the time he takes to read and respond on this website.
"I appreciate your frustration. I also agree with one of your solutions. The city is willing to bond for roads outside of our boundaries. I have heard proposals to do this going back to the Bailey administration.
I also agree that bringing business to Eagle Mountain will help with the tax base to pay for road improvements both inside and outside of our borders.
While you may have heard of proposals to bond for a Recreation Center. I have heard public statements opposing bonding for a rec center from myself and other members on the council. The plan to build a rec center has been "unofficially tabled" until the economy turns around.
But, going back to your solution that we need more businesses in Eagle Mountain. You need to look at this from a prospective business viewpoint. If you have a choice to relocate your business to Eagle Mountain, would you want to do that with all of the turmoil, corruption, immature behavior, and anti-business rhetoric that IN THE PAST was common in Eagle Mountain? I think that right now we have the businesses that have chosen to come here despite the bad behavior of city officials, staff, and residents OF THE PAST.
We finally have a mature and responsible Mayor and City Council that is working for the benefit of the city. Despite the economy, I think that Eagle Mountain is finally a safe place for businesses to thrive.
It is hard to predict the future, but I think we have a better chance of getting businesses to move to and start up in Eagle Mountain now that everyone is more mature and responsible. Time will tell."
-David
April 5, 2009 7:39 AM
"I appreciate your frustration. I also agree with one of your solutions. The city is willing to bond for roads outside of our boundaries. I have heard proposals to do this going back to the Bailey administration.
I also agree that bringing business to Eagle Mountain will help with the tax base to pay for road improvements both inside and outside of our borders.
While you may have heard of proposals to bond for a Recreation Center. I have heard public statements opposing bonding for a rec center from myself and other members on the council. The plan to build a rec center has been "unofficially tabled" until the economy turns around.
But, going back to your solution that we need more businesses in Eagle Mountain. You need to look at this from a prospective business viewpoint. If you have a choice to relocate your business to Eagle Mountain, would you want to do that with all of the turmoil, corruption, immature behavior, and anti-business rhetoric that IN THE PAST was common in Eagle Mountain? I think that right now we have the businesses that have chosen to come here despite the bad behavior of city officials, staff, and residents OF THE PAST.
We finally have a mature and responsible Mayor and City Council that is working for the benefit of the city. Despite the economy, I think that Eagle Mountain is finally a safe place for businesses to thrive.
It is hard to predict the future, but I think we have a better chance of getting businesses to move to and start up in Eagle Mountain now that everyone is more mature and responsible. Time will tell."
-David
April 5, 2009 7:39 AM
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Eagle Mtn. Want More Roads Commentary
Issues like this will continue to haunt Eagle Mountain until the city can find a way to bring businesses here. These businesses are needed to generate tax revenue. This is why Saratoga Springs can come up with their portion of the money to build a two-lane highway and Eagle Mountain can't.
If the city is willing to bond for a recreation center then why not be willing to bond for a road? It may be time to re-think some of the priorities at the city council.
Let's face it, the federal, state, and county will not build this road for us and why should they? They don't live here and they probably never drive out here because other than great views there is no business to attend to.
Eagle Mtn. Want More Roads
"A single road leads to Eagle Mountain, home to 20,000 people, and the city has learned it will get no help to add another access route.
"Every time we get a reasonable storm -- rain, snow, or wind -- residents get held up and it gets dramatic," said Councilman Nathan Ochsenhirt, who said he gets many angry calls from residents who repeatedly say "I'm pretty damn sick and tired of having one road into our city."
Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs are stuck squarely with the problem. Both cities held a recent meeting with regional planning officials to discuss how an extension of Pony Express Parkway to Center Street in Saratoga Springs, which would provide a second access to both cities, could be paid for. The answers?
"We will get no help from the county or the state," said Mayor Heather Jackson. "We have to figure out how to fund the dang thing ourselves."
To build just a two-lane road with no center lane will cost $3.5 million, a price that includes both construction and purchasing the needed land. Saratoga Springs officials said they have some road impact fees they can use toward the cost, but for Eagle Mountain there is no such easy solution, said Jackson.
"We could bond," she said. It was unclear whether residents would vote on such a bond.
The city understands that something needs to happen immediately. The urgency has only been underscored by construction at the crossroads of Redwood Road and Lehi Main Street, which has backed traffic up for miles during rush hour on recent days.
Now Eagle Mountain must find a way to come up with its share of the millions needed to construct the road. The city is getting creative. Jackson said the city must build a pipeline for Central Utah Project water to come into the city, and perhaps could use the same right-of-way for both the pipeline and the road.
Eagle Mountain also will ask county officials to chip in because, if built, the parkway would allow the county to abandon the old Fairfield road. And city manager John Hendrickson said the city could try to squeeze funds from the Legislature.
"Is there any more we can do as a council to accomplish this?" Ochsenhirt said. "Is there any possibility that road could be accomplished in the next year?"
"Yes, but we may have to bond for it. We may have to go into debt because you [the council] do not have the funds to do it at this point," Jackson said. "We are trying to find every single way that we can think of.""-Daily Herald
"Every time we get a reasonable storm -- rain, snow, or wind -- residents get held up and it gets dramatic," said Councilman Nathan Ochsenhirt, who said he gets many angry calls from residents who repeatedly say "I'm pretty damn sick and tired of having one road into our city."
Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs are stuck squarely with the problem. Both cities held a recent meeting with regional planning officials to discuss how an extension of Pony Express Parkway to Center Street in Saratoga Springs, which would provide a second access to both cities, could be paid for. The answers?
"We will get no help from the county or the state," said Mayor Heather Jackson. "We have to figure out how to fund the dang thing ourselves."
To build just a two-lane road with no center lane will cost $3.5 million, a price that includes both construction and purchasing the needed land. Saratoga Springs officials said they have some road impact fees they can use toward the cost, but for Eagle Mountain there is no such easy solution, said Jackson.
"We could bond," she said. It was unclear whether residents would vote on such a bond.
The city understands that something needs to happen immediately. The urgency has only been underscored by construction at the crossroads of Redwood Road and Lehi Main Street, which has backed traffic up for miles during rush hour on recent days.
Now Eagle Mountain must find a way to come up with its share of the millions needed to construct the road. The city is getting creative. Jackson said the city must build a pipeline for Central Utah Project water to come into the city, and perhaps could use the same right-of-way for both the pipeline and the road.
Eagle Mountain also will ask county officials to chip in because, if built, the parkway would allow the county to abandon the old Fairfield road. And city manager John Hendrickson said the city could try to squeeze funds from the Legislature.
"Is there any more we can do as a council to accomplish this?" Ochsenhirt said. "Is there any possibility that road could be accomplished in the next year?"
"Yes, but we may have to bond for it. We may have to go into debt because you [the council] do not have the funds to do it at this point," Jackson said. "We are trying to find every single way that we can think of.""-Daily Herald
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Budget Deficit for Eagle Mtn?
Eagle Mountain City is looking for ways to avoid a $260,000 deficit according to the Daily Herald.
"Council members and city department heads met on Tuesday night to discuss how to cut more than a quarter-million dollars from Eagle Mountain's $34 million budget. Everyone at the meeting was asked to lay all ideas on the table. The council will vote on the budget in the coming weeks."
Councilman David Lifferth suggested that council members take a 10 percent pay cut.
According to Utahsright.com, Mayor Heather Jackson makes somewhere in the range of $70,000. No word on whether she would be willing to take a pay cut for the city.
"City manager John Hendrickson reported that city staffers had volunteered to give up the city Christmas party, a catered affair attended by 120 last year at a cost of $12,000. The city will also forego staff birthday celebrations and employee activities.
In a sign that many in the city are having a hard time making ends meet, staffers said each month on average 200 families have their utilities shut off in the city, while another 600 families are late paying their utility bills. The announcement brought a somber tone to the meeting.
The city will consider adding a monthly storm-drain fee to city utility bills in order to help meet the budget, council members said, though Lifferth said it would be "morally wrong" to charge residents more in storm-drain fees than the city needs to cover storm-drain costs.
Last year Eagle Mountain paid $90,000 for a legislative lobbyist, but this year that too may have to go." - Daily Herald with some personal commentary
"Council members and city department heads met on Tuesday night to discuss how to cut more than a quarter-million dollars from Eagle Mountain's $34 million budget. Everyone at the meeting was asked to lay all ideas on the table. The council will vote on the budget in the coming weeks."
Councilman David Lifferth suggested that council members take a 10 percent pay cut.
According to Utahsright.com, Mayor Heather Jackson makes somewhere in the range of $70,000. No word on whether she would be willing to take a pay cut for the city.
"City manager John Hendrickson reported that city staffers had volunteered to give up the city Christmas party, a catered affair attended by 120 last year at a cost of $12,000. The city will also forego staff birthday celebrations and employee activities.
In a sign that many in the city are having a hard time making ends meet, staffers said each month on average 200 families have their utilities shut off in the city, while another 600 families are late paying their utility bills. The announcement brought a somber tone to the meeting.
The city will consider adding a monthly storm-drain fee to city utility bills in order to help meet the budget, council members said, though Lifferth said it would be "morally wrong" to charge residents more in storm-drain fees than the city needs to cover storm-drain costs.
Last year Eagle Mountain paid $90,000 for a legislative lobbyist, but this year that too may have to go." - Daily Herald with some personal commentary
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