VINEYARD — Developers of the former Geneva Steel site have announced plans to build 2 million square feet of office space as part of its 100-acre mixed-use project.
Construction on the project, approved in January 2011 by the Vineyard Redevelopment Agency, is set to begin this summer.
Plans for the site at 800 North and Geneva Road call for 7,500 residential units and 2 million square feet of office space. The total site covers more than 1,700 acres along a 1.5-mile frontage on the east shore of Utah Lake.
"We took a look at the property and tried to determine what was the best use of the land," said Stewart Park, Anderson Geneva Development project manager. "We found it could most benefit the community by holding residential, retail, industrial and office buildings."
Park said the community response has been positive, and residents are looking forward to finding out which businesses plan to locate there.
Anderson Geneva and Cottonwood Partners are working closely with Vineyard officials to carry out the project plan.
The site will contain an intermodal hub of both freight and commuter-rail access, connecting to Utah, Salt Lake, Davis and Weber counties through the FrontRunner line.
Utah Valley University, too, is playing a part in the development. The school purchased 100 acres of land there and is looking into buying 120 more, said Val Hale, president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce. The land will be used as intramural fields.
"Their campus is pretty landlocked," he said. "They are looking for a place to grow, and in order to do that, they need additional land."
Hale said he is thrilled to see the former Geneva property being developed.
"There will be a dramatic impact, extremely dramatic," he said. "Ultimately, they're talking about there being 20,000 residents living in the area, not to mention the shoppers that will come in great numbers. We would love to see that develop into the great retail and residential area that they plan to carry out."
Hale said Vineyard will have to adjust to traffic congestion, but all in all, "the positives will greatly outweigh the negatives."