Mayor Julie Fullmer – Provo Tribune: Local News for the Provo/Orem Area

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_{By McKinsleigh Smith}

Despite hesitancy from city residents, The Vineyard City Council voted unanimously last Wednesday to make Eric Ellis the new city manager. Ellis had previously given his support to the plan to dredge Utah Lake and house hundreds of thousands of people on it via artificial islands.

The Salt Lake Tribune recently secured two letters showing Ellis told Lake Restorations Solutions, the company in charge of the artificial island scheme, that the Utah Lake Commission would provide millions of dollars to help them secure a federal loan for their project.

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Despite this, Vineyard Mayor Julie Fullmer has described Ellis as an experienced public servant and skilled administrator. It is of note that Fullmer also sent a letter of support for Lake Restorations Solutions’ federal loan in September of 2020, offering $5 million from Vineyard City. Due to public outcry, Lake Restorations Solutions never received any federal funding, and the company filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.

Ellis will take the reins as Vineyard enters a crucial period of development and expansion, including the massive Utah City project. Ellis beat out more than 150 individuals from throughout the country who applied for the position. He has an associate degree in business administration from UVU, a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications from BYU, and a graduate degree in public administration from the University of Utah.

Ellis will officially assume his new position on Nov. 13.

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Plans Announced For Massive Development in Vineyard, Utah

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_{By Zach Collier}

The vista overlooking Utah Lake from Vineyard used to house the Geneva Steel Works. For years, it’s sat barren and empty. Now, 700 acres are being prepared to host Vineyard’s largest development to date: a project called Utah City.

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Developed as a collaboration between The Flagship Companies and Woodbury Corp, this master-planned mixed use community aims to be sustainable, walkable, and transit-focused. Utah City will surpass the Point of the Mountain Development (currently under way and stretching from Lehi to Sandy) by over 100 acres.

Nate Hutchinson, a managing partner of Utah City, emphasizes that this development is intended to cater to everyone – from affluent citizens to those in need of affordable housing. The project officially began with the groundbreaking of 450 multi-family units last week.

By next year, the Huntsman Cancer Institute will break ground, bringing innovation and progress to the heart of Vineyard. The city’s Mayor, Julie Fullmer, has expressed her excitement for the development, grateful for the collaborative efforts involving city leaders, councils, and stakeholders.

Utah City’s master plan was designed by Jeff Speck and the town planning firm DPZ. Utahns will be able to access the community from the 1600 North, 800 North, and Center Street exits along I-15. Utah City will also connect to the Vineyard FrontRunner station.

The project promises 17 million square feet of mixed-use space, 2 million square feet of restaurant space, 2 million square feet of retail space, and 50+ acres of parks and green spaces.

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