Should the Summit County government amend an approved development agreement with Six Ridge Partners, formerly known as Dakota Pacific Real Estate, to create a nonprofit hub in Kimball Junction? That’s the question County Manager Shayne Scott asked residents and nonprofit organizers at an open house on Tuesday. “We’ve had some conversations started as excitement is generated over this project,” Scott said. “We’ve had several different organizations that have expressed an interest in being in this area, and some of those we consider a community benefit. Those are nonprofit spaces, quasi-governmental spaces.” Altus Park City is a mixed-use development proposed in the Kimball Junction area. The Sheldon Richins Building will be demolished to make room for the project, and county services will move into the PEAK Center, which Skullcandy previously occupied. Six Ridge Partners will then construct new civic buildings, commercial spaces and a transit center in addition to 885 residential units, 160 of which will be county-owned affordable housing. “We’re committed to getting it right,” said CEO Marc Stanworth. “We’re here for the long haul. We’re going to be owning this property for our lifetimes, so we’ve been very intentional in trying to do it in the right way, such that in 10 years from now, it’s going to be very hard for anybody to look back and say it was a bad decision.” Six Ridge Partners CEO Marc Stanworth speaks to Summit County residents about Altus Park City. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record The latest potential amendment to the development agreement would add approximately 50,000 square feet of office space to the Altus Park City project. Two retail buildings already planned for the development would expand by 10,000 square feet while a third building with 30,000 square feet of space would be added to the site plan next to the PEAK Center. Amending development agreements is now an administrative action in Summit County, which means Scott could greenlight the change without input from residents or the County Council.  However, Scott said he wanted to make sure everyone agreed as much as possible before making a decision. “It is administrative, but this is also such a lightning rod … so the council’s going to need to be aware,” he said. “If they’re adamant that they don’t want to do it, I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t sign it. … But they’ve been amenable, and they have their concerns, but this whole area is going to be fantastic. I really believe that.” County Councilor Megan McKenna, who had not been elected when the Altus Park City project was approved, said she was in favor of adding as many community benefits to the development as possible. She previously worked for the nonprofit Mountainlands Community Housing Trust, and she said creating a nonprofit hub would likely make a difference for many organizations. The three blue markers on the map indicate the location of future nonprofit office space if Summit County moves forward with an amended development agreement. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record “It would be a tremendous benefit to some of our smaller nonprofits that don’t have the same fundraising capabilities as some of the larger ones,” McKenna said. “It provides an opportunity for our nonprofits to share resources, to share space. It makes them a lot more efficient so that they can focus on their missions.” The Kimball Art Center has publicly expressed interest in moving to Altus Park City from its current location on Kearns Boulevard, citing difficulties in maintaining its level of programming in a space totaling less than 10,000 square feet.  If the development’s nonprofit hub moves forward, the arts organization would likely relocate to the 30,000-square-foot building next to the PEAK Center, although whether Kimball Art Center would occupy the entire building or only a portion of the space has not yet been determined. “It’s such an exciting prospect,” said Alex Regenold, the communications director for Kimball Art Center. “The service to the community is something that we’re imagining, but we can’t even fully imagine it yet because it’s so exciting.” Regenold also addressed concerns from Park City residents regarding the Kimball Art Center’s potential move, saying the organization will still serve Parkites while expanding its visibility for other community members and tourists. “Kimball Junction is a real gateway,” she said. “This is the first stop if you’re coming out from Salt Lake or from other places in Summit County. You’re coming right here, so to have a cultural beacon right at that gateway into Park City, I think it’s a unique opportunity to show people all that we have to offer. I know that there is some sadness to be moving out of Park City proper, but when we think about how we can best serve the community … this makes so much sense.” Scott said he will present feedback from the open house to the County Council in the near future, but he did not specify a date. He said he expects the county government to transition from the Richins Building to the PEAK Center as soon as August, with a second open house planned for Sept. 12 to update residents on the Altus Park City project. The post Summit County, developer explore adding nonprofit hub to Altus Park City appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less