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.
Orem's mayor is a voting member of the seven-member council. The minutes count the six council members in each tally and record the mayor's vote beside it, so a council vote of 6-0 with the mayor voting yes is 7-0 with the mayor.
In brief
1 item came up for a decision or discussion: 1 approved.
The agenda records 1 dollar amount, the largest $5.61 million.
1 item here is tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 2 source documents.
7 members were present.
Residents raised cost and liability of buying the school building and park space for southeast orem.
The previous City Council meeting was on August 11, 2020: Orem council adopts southwest area plan, with mayor's vote deciding 4-3, and caps tobacco shops at four
The next one was on September 8, 2020: Orem council approves COVID-19 grant money for Senior Friendship Center and food bank technology
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Purchase of former Hillcrest Elementary School property | Approved · 6-1 with the mayor |
Agenda, item by item
Parks
Purchase of former Hillcrest Elementary School property
Approved · 6-1 with the mayor
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
- Area: about 9.33 acres; park portion 1.61 acres
What residents said
Cost and liability of buying the school buildingPark space for southeast Orem