DeWake Investments says Canteen Commons delayed; contractor cites one missing design page, targets spring start

Charlie Berwick, a member of DeWake Investments, updated the authority on the Lehi/Canteen Commons project and described continuing delays caused by incomplete plans.

Berwick said the remaining issue is one missing or inadequate design page for firewalls between apartments; he cited project delays that have extended to roughly 15 months. He said much of the preliminary site work was completed last year, including tree removal and dirt moving, but the project could not proceed without final plans and plan approval.

"We are now, what, 15 months," Berwick said of the delay, and he apologized to the authority for the slow progress. He said the architect hired for the job was retiring and had not completed the plans in a timely way.

Berwick said if the missing design page is completed and approved quickly, staff review and contractor bidding could move on a fast schedule. He estimated that if plans were finalized within days, approvals and bidding could be completed within a few weeks and that, weather permitting, construction could begin after the ground thaws — his estimate was late February to early March.

Berwick said funding for the project is in place and has been sitting in a bank account; he said the money has earned minimal interest while awaiting plan approval. He also said the team will change sequencing to build one building fully (14 units) first to accelerate occupancy and that rotating one building in the plan saved about $50,000 in cost. Staff noted that redevelopment‑contract dates and increment calculations will require minor modifications to reflect the revised schedule.

No formal action was taken on the Canteen Commons update; staff said they will assess the redevelopment contract impact and return to the authority if modifications are required.