Cache Valley Humanitarian Center asks River Heights to consider selling part of old school lot for permanent facility

Dwight Whitaker, speaking for the Cache Valley Humanitarian Center, told the River Heights City Council on May 6 that the nonprofit would like the city to consider selling a portion of the former River Heights school property to allow the center to build a roughly 5,000‑square‑foot facility with off‑street parking.

Whitaker said the undeveloped property is approximately 1.16 acres in total and that the humanitarian center currently leases about 4,700 square feet in the existing school building for which it pays about $4,800 per month. The center asked the council to consider selling a portion of the undeveloped parcel — roughly a fourth to a third of an acre, Whitaker estimated — to accommodate a building and parking, while leaving room for the city to retain parking or other uses.

Cheryl Alter, identified in the packet as the nonprofit's board president, attended and the presenters said they have received several community visits to the current site and described steady volunteer support. Whitaker said the center does not yet have construction funding and estimated a planning and fundraising timeline of about two years if the council were open to selling land and the parties proceeded.

Council members asked practical questions about water, sewer and zoning: Whitaker acknowledged that the parcel is currently zoned residential and that any change would require neighborhood notice and approvals; he described how utility connections and setbacks would affect siting and parking. Council members also noted that the parcel is the last city‑owned property of its kind and said that the council had previously discussed multiple possible future uses, including retaining part of the lot for parking, using part for a city shop, or reserving land for a city center or affordable housing in the longer term.

No sale or formal action was taken during the meeting; council members indicated they would discuss options internally and consider follow‑up steps if the city wished to evaluate market value, site plans and potential uses. Whitaker said the nonprofit intends to renew its current lease in the near term while exploring a permanent facility.

Ending: The council accepted the presentation for consideration and asked staff and council members to discuss the possible sale and return with additional information at a future meeting.