Harrington Center backers seek city land and partial Church Street closure for arts campus; fire chief raises safety concerns
November 17, 2020, 4:00 p.m. · Held electronically (COVID-19 emergency)
Leaders of the Harrington Center for the Arts asked the American Fork City Council for city land and a partial closure of Church Street to build a studio theater and civic plaza beside the historic 1903 Harrington School, which an opportunity-zone investor group would renovate. Council members were enthusiastic, calling it the best downtown revitalization proposal yet, but Fire Chief Aaron Brems and Police Chief Darren Falslev warned of parking, access and noise problems next to the city's busiest fire station. The council also backed pursuing a county boat harbor grant of about $1.3 million to $1.5 million with a 50% match.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Development
Harrington Center for the Arts long-term facility proposal
Discussed
Spencer and Summerisa Stevens, Mr. Miner of the center's facilities committee and financial adviser Kevin Bradburn presented a plan to renovate the 1903 Harrington School, owned by the Bell family trust, as a for-profit opportunity-zone investment leased to the nonprofit arts center, which would later buy it back. Phase 1A would add a connector with elevators; Phase 1B a nonprofit black-box studio theater north of the school on land the group wants to lease or buy from the city; Phase 2 a civic and arts plaza created by closing part of Church Street between Harrington and City Hall. Fire Chief Brems said the station handles about 11.5 calls a day and objected to lost parking, narrowed access, deliveries and noise; he also noted Church Street has only a 6-inch water main and Center Street none. Council Members Shelton, Taylor, Carroll, Christiansen and Barnes supported pursuing it; Shelton favored a land sale over a lease and Taylor opposed closing access between the police and fire stations. The mayor asked for a list of what the group needs from the city; the group will prepare a site plan and share its financial model.
- Building: Harrington School, built 1903, owned by Bell family trust
- Fire station call volume: about 3,650 calls so far in 2020, expected to exceed 4,000
- Requested from city: land lease or sale for studio theater, parking agreement, partial Church Street closure, plaza participation
Item 2 · Parks
Utah County TRCC grant for American Fork boat harbor
Discussed
Mayor Frost urged pursuing a county Tourism, Recreation, Cultural and Convention (TRCC) grant for the boat harbor, available until 2028, before the county commission changes. Community Services Director Camden Bird said the full harbor master plan is $5 million; phase one, about $3 million, covers the harbor, utilities and a beach, and the county grant of roughly $1.5 million would require a 50% city match that can include in-kind labor. Saratoga Springs and Vineyard signed similar agreements. Council members agreed to seek the agreement; Shelton wanted the contract to allow spending on infrastructure such as parking rather than a sand beach, and Carroll worried about competing with park land purchases. The mayor noted a separate $2.3 million MAG-funded trail segment.
- Grant$1.50 million to Utah County
- Grant: about $1.3 million-$1.5 million (figures differ in minutes), 50% match, available through 2028
- Earlier $300,000 city set-aside had been reallocated
Item 3 · Budget
Additional PARC tax money for Alpine Community Theater
Discussed
Bird said Alpine Community Theater could receive up to $18,840 more PARC tax money to pay city reservation fees instead of the city sponsoring its events, which raised insurance issues. The PARC board supported it; council members agreed and it went to the Nov. 24 meeting, where $10,000 was approved.
- Grant$18,840 to Alpine Community Theater
What residents said
Fire station access and parking near Harrington projectNoise from theater next to fire station sleeping quartersDowntown parking