By Bridget Raymundo | [email protected]

Without a doubt, the great majority of a city’s appeal lies in the beauty of its center. In Millcreek, the City Center Master Plan has been implemented since June 10, 2019 and is reaching the end of its development. As time rolls on, the city center is nearing its final additions before opening to services for residents.

A press release from April 8, 2020, from Jordan Hatch, information center manager for the City of Millcreek, included images of Mayor Jeff Silvestrini digging on the site of construction. “The Richmond at Millcreek will be a mixed-use building on the corner of Villa Vista Avenue and Richmond Avenue,” stated the release. An expected 328 residential units and 13,000 square feet of street-level retail will become available after the project is finished. Both Atlas Ventures and Cottonwood Residential are the major contributors to the construction underway.

“We have a number of incredible projects in the queue still coming to Millcreek’s City Center, and this critical building is just the beginning,” Silvestrini said. “As a city, all of our essential business functions are continuing through these times, including welcoming quality development projects.”

In the most recent City Council newsletter update sent on July 16, concerns over the digital marquees approximated to cost $250,000 each are being resolved. According to the newsletter, on July 12, the City Council discussed the matter of sponsorship for the potential marquee at the city commons is in negotiations. 

Moreover, the 40-foot-high billboard on 1347 E. 3300 South must be removed from the way of construction, but the right to remove it will be expensive. Utah law requires the sign owner be paid for the expected lifetime income the billboard could have provided were it not removed. In this case, the billboard has a value between $1 million and $1.3 million. Although, current discussions task Reagan Outdoor in charge of sponsoring all three Millcreek Common marquees, so the city would not have to pay to build, operate or maintain them. More than one-third of the turns on the digital signs would belong to Millcreek—or three of eight turns for Millcreek and five for Reagan. Six billboards in the city center area would be removed by Reagan as a result. The light from the electronic marquees would be unseen from side angles and dimmed at night. The height of the signs would be decided by the city who would consult the electronic messaging center guidelines issued by the International Dark-Sky Association.

City officials have their hands full based on the agenda for the Millcreek Planning Commission held on July 21. Despite this, progress continues for Mill Town and updates are released routinely.

In order to establish a tangible city market, the city has decided to focus on elements in the design involving red brick, glass, concrete, and steel similar to the style of a typical New York apartment in a television show. Millcreek stone will also be making an appearance much like pale cobblestones on walls. Stucco and carbonized wood will be used together for a clean, wholesome look. The visuals can be found titled “Millcreek Common Design Update - June 22, 2020” (PDF) on the Millcreek City website.