Privately owned Bridal Veil Falls could be had for nothing if the right person comes along.
Sure, owner David S. Grow would like to get something out of the Provo Canyon recreation area his family has held for nearly a quarter century. An avalanche wiped out the aerial tram, gift shop, snack bar and bridge over the Provo River three years ago - amenities the Grows maintained and promoted over the years. But the cascading water and surrounding 18 acres remain as beautiful as ever.Unable to come up with the money to rebuild the resort, Grow put the land on the market for $1.7 million. So far, nothing has happened.
Now he says he'd give it away to a "developer/caretaker" with vision and resources to make it a community attraction again. The family, he said, never really felt it owned the falls anyway.
"A sale has never been critical to us in some ways," Grow said.
Although canyon motorists and cyclists continue to stop at the base of the falls to take in the breathtaking sight, there's no longer anything there to complement the experience. Some environmental types might argue that it's better this way. Purists might say even the parking lot is too much, he said.
But Grow, who recently organized an advisory group to consider the future of Bridal Veil Falls, said he's a great believer in making the wonders of nature available to people whether that be an easy hike to the misty falls or a steep tram ride up the mountainside.
There are 10,000 people who would walk to Bridal Veil for every one who would make the more strenuous climb to nearby Upper Falls, Grow says.
"I think the community really misses it," he said.
Coldwell Banker Premier Realty in Heber City listed the property for about eight months, during which time it attracted several serious offers.
"I had some that were very interested. They were ready to put money down," said Paula Jo Lewis, the listing agent.
The deals, however, fell through for reasons Lewis didn't want to get into.
A pair of Orem entrepreneurs put out a press release last month indicating their desire to buy and refurbish the resort. Though well-intentioned, the owners of R&R Fun Factory don't have the capital for such a venture. They're trying to raise funds by selling a Bridal Veil Falls painting and other trinkets.
"It's the best we can do for what we have right now. If it doesn't work out, we'll smile and say we tried something," said Wayne Rice, company president.
Utah County nearly put Bridal Veil Falls on the auction block in May after Grow failed to pay $23,000 in back property tax. A last-minute agreement averted the sale. Grow paid off two-thirds of the bill and the remainder is due next month, though he said the issue remains unresolved.
Grow has heard through third parties that government might be interested in buying the land, but he said no one has contacted him. He earlier suggested setting up a quasi-government entity to run the resort much like the Heber Valley Historic Railroad is run.
"It's hard to know the right thing to do with that," said Utah County Commissioner Gary Herbert, adding he considers it a Utah Valley landmark.
There may be some merit to making it a park, but the county doesn't have money to buy it, he said.
Ditto for both Utah State Parks and Recreation and the Uinta National Forest. Officials at the two agencies told the Deseret News they haven't seriously considered buying Bridal Veil Falls.
Nevertheless, Grow expects something to happen prior to Utah hosting the 2002 Winter Games, perhaps as early as next year. He said he's pursuing one avenue that he won't discuss right now.
Meanwhile, Grow will continue to avoid the place he hopes to see thriving again.
"I can't stand to go there," he said. "It just tears me all up."