Utah Jazz owner and automobile dealer Larry H. Miller apparently plans to buy the old Jordan High School for $3.8 million.
Sandy economic development director Dan C. Simons Jr., said Saturday that Miller plans to demolish the 1914 school to construct an office complex at the 22-acre campus at 9351 S. State.Preliminary discussions indicate that 70 percent of the structure would be used as office space and the rest would be used for other commercial uses, perhaps even a restaurant.
"What his exact plans are, I don't know," Simons said.
Miller had conducted extensive study of the site to determine if the historic facade could be salvaged in the new development but determined there were "so many code violations it would have cost a whole lot more to save it than replace it," Simons said.
Miller, contacted Saturday night, said he wouldn't comment on the proposed sale until the deal is finalized Tuesday.
Previously, a San Francisco developer offered Jordan officials $4 million cash for the school andplanned to establish a retail-office-and-residential project. They vowed to incorporate the school's facade and architecture into the design to assuage concerns of alumni.
Funding for the purchase didn't materialize and the historic home of the Beetdiggers was put back on the market in September.
The school space has been vacant nearly a year since students moved to a new campus three blocks up State Street at 99 Beetdigger Blvd.
Jordan School District administrators have recommended that the school board accept a bid from Miller Family Real Estate L.L.C., allowing it 30 days to perform an environmental review of the property. The school board is expected to act on the sale Tuesday night.
According to Department of Commerce records, Miller and his wife, Gail, are trustees of the limited liability corporation. Records state the corporation was established late last month by the Millers' attorney, Dennis V. Haslam.