Thursday, October 15, 2026TheUtah Ledger

Everything Utah, every day.

Orem · City Council

Orem council votes 6-0 to buy former Hillcrest Elementary property for $5.6 million; mayor opposes

September 1, 2020, 5:00 p.m. · Orem City Center, 56 North State Street (held electronically)

In a special meeting, the council authorized buying the roughly 9.33-acre former Hillcrest Elementary site from Alpine School District, with the mayor voting no. Council members said southeast Orem needs a larger park; the mayor favored buying only the park portion.

From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.

Decisions at a glance

ItemResult
Purchase of former Hillcrest Elementary School propertyApproved · 6-0

Agenda, item by item

  1. Parks

    Purchase of former Hillcrest Elementary School property

    Approved · 6-0 · Former Hillcrest Elementary, about 650 East 1400 South

    Mayor Richard Brunst said the 9.33-acre site was appraised at about $5.6 million; the school district's appraisal valued the building at $3 million while the city's assigned it no value. Utah law limits uses of the land, and any future resale proceeds would be split with the district. The mayor outlined options: buy all of it, or buy only the 1.61-acre park and nearby homes' land for a park of about 2.5 acres. He favored a park but opposed buying the whole site, citing asbestos, building age (1954 with a 2003 addition) and liability. Council Members Terry Peterson, Brent Sumner and Jeff Lambson said southeast residents deserve a full park and green space; Peterson read a resident's letter supporting a park. Council Member Debby Lauret saw potential in the gym for youth basketball. City Manager Jamie Davidson said the city may cancel if due diligence results are unacceptable and the purchase would use park impact fees (about $1.8 million) plus Redevelopment Agency money (a loan from RDA 85-03B and funds from RDA 85-03A), possibly repaid by leasing or selling part of the site; parts of the Hillcrest neighborhood qualify for CDBG money.

    • Land deal$5.61 million to Alpine School District Purchase of about 9.33 acres of the former Hillcrest Elementary property. Negotiated purchase; two appraisals (district and city); city had right of first refusal on the leased park acreage. Paid from Park impact fees (about $1.8 million balance) and Redevelopment Agency funds, including an RDA 85-03B loan
    • Area: about 9.33 acres; park portion 1.61 acres

    Moved by Council Member Tom Macdonald, seconded by Council Member Terry Peterson. Vote: 6-1 including the mayor; Mayor Richard Brunst voted no. All six council members voted yes.

    Follow Hillcrest Elementary property purchase in the development tracker →

What residents said

Cost and liability of buying the school buildingPark space for southeast Orem