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Commission discusses making Orem an entertainment hub — convention center and hotels suggested
Summary
During a Sept. 17 Orem Planning Commission work session, staff presented proposed economic goals that included testing an explicit entertainment and tourism role for the city; commissioners discussed the feasibility of a convention center and clustered hotels.
Orem — Commissioners at the Sept. 17 Orem Planning Commission work session reviewed proposed economic goals for the general plan and discussed whether the city should pursue a stronger entertainment and tourism identity, including a convention center and a more concentrated hotel market to serve events.
Planning staff summarized the draft economic chapter, describing three broad aims: support existing businesses and employment growth; strengthen Orem as a regional retail hub; and explore a role as an "entertainment hub of Utah County," a phrase staff noted was intended to spur discussion rather than to announce a formal plan. "Family City USA, Orem should be a vibrant entertainment hub with activities and experiences that appeal to a wide range of ages and interests," staff said while presenting the draft text.
Commissioners and staff discussed practical hurdles. Several noted that a convention center would require a hotel concentration and coordinated parking and transit access; one commissioner said the city lacks a concentrated cluster of hotels adjacent to a civic or event venue. Staff recommended inviting the city’s economic development manager to a future meeting to describe current business‑attraction efforts, ongoing initiatives and where retail or tourism 'leakage' occurs.
Commissioners linked the economic discussion back to land‑use designations: if the city wishes to attract larger events, the general plan should identify candidate areas and provide the policy basis to seek targeted zone changes and infrastructure investments. Staff advised that the economic strategic plan (adopted in 2022) contains more detailed implementation items and that the general plan should provide high‑level principles and call for follow‑up area or corridor studies where more detailed plans are needed.
No financial commitments were made at the work session. Commissioners asked staff to (1) share the adopted economic development plan with the commission, (2) invite the economic development manager to a future work session and (3) consider how land‑use designations and a corridor or area study could support convention/hotel and entertainment investments.
