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West Valley staff propose buying three former LDS buildings for expanded community resource centers
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Summary
City staff proposed purchasing three decommissioned LDS Church buildings (Whitehall, Hillsdale, Lighthouse) to expand 'My Hometown' community resource centers, using $50,000 earnest per building, $2,000 monthly lease-applied-to-purchase, and a 24-month closing window; staff cited purchase price estimates and asked for time to finalize financing and renovation costs.
Craig Thomas, the city’s community engagement and culture director, presented resolutions to acquire three former Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints buildings to expand the city’s 'My Hometown' Community Resource Center (CRC) program. Thomas said the acquisition would allow CRCs to operate more days per week, increase resident access to resources and classes, and preserve buildings important to local history.
Thomas named the three sites (Whitehall, Hillsdale and Lighthouse) and described their current status: Whitehall is already vacated; Lighthouse and Hillsdale are still occupied and would be decommissioned by the church (signage, baptistry and steeples removed or altered). Key financial terms shown in staff materials: $50,000 earnest money per building, a $2,000 monthly lease per building that would apply toward the purchase price, and a 24‑month closing deadline in the agreement. Staff presented purchase figures in slides: Whitehall cited at about $2,100,000, Hillsdale about $2,300,000, and the Lighthouse parcel figures varied in the packet.
Council members raised questions about financing (bond vs. city coffers vs. grants), maintenance and renovation costs, volunteer staffing for expanded CRC hours, deed restrictions (staff said none recorded that would limit future use), and the city’s runway for fundraising. Staff noted CityStrong (the nonprofit supporting My Hometown) is actively fundraising and had raised about $60,000 for West Valley programs in recent months.
Multiple council members asked staff to provide more detailed monthly lease/purchase breakdowns, renovation cost estimates and operational projections before any final purchase vote. Thomas said the two‑year lease-to-purchase runway was intended to give staff and council time to develop funding strategies, apply for grants and explore leasing to nonprofits to reduce operating costs.
