The city completed a land swap and purchase on Nov. 12, giving it possession of 60 acres of farmland in west Layton, designated as a future city park, softball complex and fire substation.
The City Council had previously given approval for the trade of 39 acres of city land near Valley View Golf Course for an equally valued 48 acres of land south of Gordon Avenue and along 2200 West. An additional 12 acres in the area was purchased by the city, and the cost of the purchased property and commissions on the property trade totaled approximately $183,000.The east Layton land the city traded was purchased some years ago through a federal grant, with the stipulation it be used for recreational development. However, the city later realized the land was too hilly and not suitable for a park, but developers thought the land was ideal for single-family homes.
The city land in west Layton is adjacent to and just south of the Swan Lakes Golf Course, now under construction at the southeast corner of Gordon Avenue and 2200 West. This will be a nine-hole golf course, complete with putting greens, driving ranges and batting cages. It is expected to be open next June.
The Layton city manager, department directors and city engineer recently met to determine what capital improvement projects are the most important ones, and the development of the west Layton park was ranked No. 1 because of its effective use of resources.
The city would like to develop the park in a four-phase plan, part of a five-year capital improvement project that the city staff hopes the City Council will authorize.
Phase one would be a $49,000 design project, while phase two would spend $375,000 toward partial development. Phase three will be a completion of basic development ($175,000); and tennis courts, a bowery and other additions would be made in phase four at a cost of $210,000.
In a separate plan, the city's third fire station would also be constructed on the 60-acre site near the park. Both the fire station and park would serve a section of the city expected to experience tremendous growth in the near future.
A related street project, with a cost not estimated at present, would extend Hill Field Road (Industrial Drive) west over the inactive Denver & Rio Grande tracks and in between the Swan Lakes Golf Course and the city's park to 2200 West.
- The six other top capital-improvement projects being recommended by city staff are: Antelope Drive street widening, curb, gutter and sidewalk, Church Street to Fairfield Drive ($493,000); Antelope Drive street widening and improvements, Fairfield to Fort Lane ($823,000); Traffic signal modification at 400 West and Gordon Avenue ($145,000); Road grader purchase ($160,000); Acquisition of property, 15-20 acres, for new city shops ($200,000); Replacement of sanitary sewer line on Flint Street ($95,000).