Council member says Big Lots owner has engaged FFKR; city seeks role in redevelopment talks

A council member identified in the meeting as Matt gave a detailed update on the site of the Big Lots store, saying the property owner (Benenson Capital) has engaged Salt Lake City firm FFKR to prepare conceptual redevelopment plans. "The firm is FFKR," Matt said, and he told colleagues he had asked the owner to include the city in discussions because redevelopment of that parcel could set the tone for the entire city center.

Matt described earlier negotiations with a potential joint-venture partner that broke down years ago but said the current owner has assigned a new representative who has been responsive and open to dialog: "The new person has been very, easy to talk with, returns my calls." Commissioners noted that the city controls none of the parcels in the block, so any role would principally be facilitative — building partnerships, offering infrastructure assistance, or using redevelopment tools from the city center CRA to offset site costs where appropriate.

Several members said a small-area plan and consultant scenarios would help the city provide more specific feedback to any owner-appointed consultant. Matt offered to email a past conceptual plan his office had received to interested commissioners so they could see an example of what had been discussed previously.