Crescent View Middle School property purchase
Proposed city purchase of the Crescent View Middle School property for community center, park, open space and Arts Guild uses, to be funded by a general obligation bond. The city held a public hearing Sept. 22, 2026 on issuing up to $30,000,000 of bonds, estimated at about $5 per month for the average home, and approved the council's pamphlet argument Sept. 1. The question goes to a special bond election with Salt Lake County.
- Where it stands
- Approved
- Type
- Public project
- Location
- Crescent View Middle School, about 17 acres
- Size
- 17 acres
- Applicant
- Sandy City Administration
Every hearing and vote
June 16, 2026 · City Council
Crescent View Middle School update
Discussed
Ryan Mecham reviewed three scenarios: buy the whole 17-acre property, part of it or none. Ben Hill covered community center and park use, Mearle Marsh Arts Guild use and Dan Nelson costs for each scenario. Mecham said a bond would be needed and outlined the timeline. Mayor Zoltanski supported the purchase. The notes state no price. In public comment Brian Noelle, Wayne Day and Taylor Miller supported buying the property for open space, Wayne Day specifically Option 1; Pat Jones opposed Option 2; Mark Ciullo and Kelly Forbes asked that voters decide.
July 14, 2026 · City Council
Crescent View Middle School update
Discussed
Deputy CAO Ryan Mecham reported on a community meeting, with a second set for July 15. The proposed purchase is $17 million for 17.24 acres, and the deadline to put a general obligation bond on the ballot was Aug. 20. Four concept options were presented. CAO Martin Jensen stressed community and council engagement and council members asked that community feedback be shared. Parks Director Ben Hill said many residents want more open space. Shelly Gillwall of Legacy Soccer supported the purchase, saying over half the league's games are played at the school.
July 21, 2026 · City Council
Council business: Crescent View Middle School decisions
Discussed
Council Member Marci Houseman identified three council decisions: whether the purchase goes on the ballot, the bond amount and ballot language if so, and the education campaign, and asked the administration to send all compiled community feedback. Council Member Kris Coleman-Nicholl cited a recreation and parks study and the 2024 Parks Master Plan. CAO Martin Jensen said staff is compiling survey and meeting feedback. The city also asked to ban fireworks citywide for the July 24 holiday.
July 28, 2026 · City Council
Crescent Middle School property: bond discussion
Denied
Council Member Brooke Christensen moved, seconded by Council Member Alison Stroud, to request bond language for three scenarios: purchase and update of the school only; purchase and update plus a public safety facility; and a public safety facility only. The motion failed; the tally is not recorded. Bond counsel said the city can issue up to the approved amount or less, in tranches, each with closing costs, and estimated a rate of about 4.1% with no expected credit-rating impact. Council members asked about six years of Canyons School District operating costs, upkeep funding, roads that might open to through traffic and whether operating costs can be bonded. The Arbor building is a net gain because rent covers its bond payment. Members discussed appraisals and the right of first refusal and requested a legal analysis of the voter information pamphlet process. A majority signaled support for bringing bond language back the next Tuesday. Stroud asked about the Fire Station 31 bond, assets that could reduce the price and including a public safety building.
August 4, 2026 · City Council
Special bond election: Crescent View Middle School property
Discussed
Brett Neumann of Finance and bond adviser Jason Burningham of LRB Public Finance said proposed general obligation bonds of up to $30 million would finance all or part of acquiring the property over up to 21 years. A letter from the mayor recommended $21 million. They reviewed projected annual property tax effects at both amounts, a November 2026 election and a proposed Sept. 22 hearing. Council members asked about equipping the facility and park, rates, voter pamphlet language, arguments for and against, debt structure and selling part of the property, and stated what amount they would support. Information item; it returned the next week. In public comment, Pat Jones urged careful analysis and full information in the voter pamphlet, former Intermountain finance director Dan Brady called the project's funding vague, Steve Van Maren proposed bond language requiring any sale of part of the parcel to offset the bond, and Diane Nicholson supported the bond amount residents wanted.
August 11, 2026 · City Council
Resolution 26-78C: special bond election on Nov. 3, 2026 for the Crescent View Middle School property
Approved · 6-1
The resolution submits a general obligation bond proposition to voters for acquiring and renovating the former school property. Bond counsel Randy Larsen answered questions on uses, repayment, tranches, interest, issuance costs and the effect of a non-governmental sale of part of the property, and said the ballot hearing would authorize issuances up to the approved amount without separate hearings for each tranche. Operations and maintenance costs are excluded from the bond. Debate centered on $30 million versus $21 million: supporters of $30 million cited flexibility and issuing in tranches, and supporters of $21 million cited the amount the administration identified and fiscal caution. Ideas included selling other city properties, phased improvements, a spending cap and clearer voter information. Mayor Zoltanski supported the acquisition and the $21 million amount. The first motion, for $30 million (Houseman, Coleman-Nicholl), failed 3-4; a motion for $21 million (Stroud, Dekeyzer) failed 3-4; after a recess, Christensen moved to reconsider the $30 million motion, seconded by Houseman, and it carried 6-1. In public comment Don Cann opposed spending and tax increases and suggested mixed use; Paul Goddat and Marilyn Barriger supported the purchase; Monica Barriger raised land value and lot rent at a nearby mobile home park and said voters should decide; Diane Nicholson asked that voters have a choice; a comment from Phil Snyder opposing the purchase was read.
September 1, 2026 · City Council
Resolution 26-90C: argument in favor of the Crescent View Middle School general obligation bond
Approved with conditions
Deputy CAO Ryan Mecham presented the argument line by line. Two residents had filed notices of intent to write arguments, one for and one against, and the city must submit a for argument if no one else does by the Sept. 4 deadline. Council members discussed the voter pamphlet and CAO Martin Jensen said bond counsel would review it for neutrality. A written comment from Jason Nicholl urged reconsideration of the purchase and questioned paying nearly double the appraised value. Council Member Aaron Dekeyzer raised a point of order at about 9:58 p.m., and the chair ruled that Council Member Brooke D'Sousa could continue. Council Director Dustin Fratto was directed to send recommended pamphlet changes to the administration. Adopted with the council's changes by roll call; tally not recorded.
September 22, 2026 · City Council
Interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County for the special bond election (Matter 26-441)
Discussed
City Recorder Wendy Downs presented Resolution 26-88C, which would authorize an interlocal agreement with the Salt Lake County Clerk's Elections Division for the 2026 special bond election. The good-faith cost estimate is $14,448. Information item; it returns to the council.
September 22, 2026 · City Council
Public hearing on issuing up to $30,000,000 of general obligation bonds and their potential economic impact (Matter 26-436)
Discussed
Brian Kelley presented the bond overview and estimated the impact at about $5 per month on the average home. Two residents spoke, one opposed and one in support, and the hearing was closed.
September 22, 2026 · City Council
Public meeting on arguments for and against the ballot proposition (Matter 26-438)
Discussed
Dustin Fratto read the arguments for and against the bond and the rebuttals into the record; they will appear in the voter information pamphlet. Two residents commented and the comment period closed.
September 29, 2026 · City Council
Interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County for the special bond election
Approved
Adopted. The notes do not record a tally.