Mount Pleasant CDRA reviews Equestrian Center progress and possible sale of three-acre parking parcel for commercial development

Staff reported on the Equestrian Center construction, grant funding and a potential commercial redevelopment of an adjacent three-acre parking parcel during an informational Mount Pleasant Community Development and Renewal Agency (CDRA) discussion.

A staff presenter said Forrest Turner, a representative from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, visited the site and was "very impressed" by the arena and the broader 100-acre park, and asked about funding sources. The presenter said the project has $3,100,000 in grants and a revenue bond supporting it and that under the applicable grant terms the facility must be completed by Dec. 31, with a readiness target of Oct. 16 for the high school rodeo finals.

The presenter gave construction and budget details: of a $600,000 budget line, about $374,000 has been spent so far; there is roughly $200,000 in accounts payable for seating; portable seating provides about 800 seats; fence work is estimated at about $52,000; Cache Valley has offered donated lighting estimated at about $140,000. The presenter said contingency funds were small and staff would seek additional funding as needed. Those figures were presented as staff updates and were not adopted as formal action by the CDRA.

Staff also described a Master Plan for the park that shows the arena on roughly two acres and a three-acre adjacent parking area slated on the plan for future commercial development. Turner, according to staff, encouraged clearing blighted areas and installing infrastructure before bringing in a developer. Staff said the Governor’s Office indicated a grant submittal would need to be filed within about three weeks if Mount Pleasant wants to pursue the opportunity.

Staff said a possible project cost for the infrastructure and initial work would be roughly $400,000, with approximately $200,000 sought as a grant and the remainder to be met by selling the three-acre parcel. Staff said letters of intent from potential developers exist but have not been presented publicly because it is premature to do so.

Council and CDRA members spoke during the informational discussion about whether to pursue commercial development of the parcel or retain it for park uses. Several members said they favor pursuing commercial development of the three-acre parcel given nearby commercial growth; others said the city needs green space and suggested using sale proceeds to acquire or improve other parkland. A mayoral representative reportedly indicated support for commercial development, but staff said they would not speak for the mayor and emphasized that any formal decision by the city council or CDRA would come later.

No formal CDRA action to sell the parcel or to submit the grant application was taken at the meeting. Staff asked whether the CDRA board and council members wanted staff to proceed with preparing a grant application; members indicated interest in further exploratory work and staff said they would follow up.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes: approved (mover/second not specified in the record). - Approval of claim register/invoice dated 01/02/2025 to 08/31/2025 in the amount of $292,385.44: motion reported as made by Paul and seconded by Lynn; roll call held and the motion carried (detailed roll-call votes not specified).