Riverdale RDA votes 3-1 to deny purchase of 11.36-acre parcel at 4600 S. 600 W.

The Riverdale Redevelopment Agency voted on Aug. 5 to deny a proposed real-estate purchase of 11.36 acres at 4600 South 600 West (owned by Mike Ford / Clearfield Business Park LLC) after a lengthy discussion about valuation, maintenance and future reuse.

Staff presented an appraisal value of $1,480,000 and a negotiated contract in which the agency would pay $750,000 cash at closing while the seller would treat the remaining $730,000 as a charitable contribution for tax purposes. Staff framed the parcel as a potential gateway for a broader "Stringtown" master-planning initiative and said the piece could be retained as open or park space in the long-term.

Board members questioned whether acquiring the parcel at that price would set an undesirable market precedent, asked about ongoing maintenance costs, water rights and existing agricultural uses (staff noted cattle grazing on the site), and compared the appraised market value to the county assessor's taxable value (about $815,000 per the assessor). Several board members said the parcel's immediate redevelopment opportunities were limited because it lacks direct street frontage; staff said a right of way or connection to 600 West would be required for conventional commercial development.

Board member Arnold moved to deny resolution R2025-06 (the purchase as presented); board member Haas seconded. The board voted 3 in favor of the motion to deny and 1 opposed (Board member Stevens). The motion to deny passed and staff will not execute the purchase at that price.

Staff noted the parcel remains of interest within the broader Stringtown planning process and that the city has applied for a Wasatch Front grant to support a multi-property master plan; staff said the master plan procurement would proceed and that owning this parcel could be reconsidered later in the planning process if conditions change.