1 / 2

Jacob McHargue poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017 at the city offices in Vineyard. McHargue has been named the new Vineyard city manager, he was previously the city’s financial manager.

Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald

2 / 2

Jacob McHargue poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at the city offices in Vineyard. McHargue has been named the new Vineyard city manager, he was previously the city's financial manager. Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald

Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald

❮ ❯

Four years ago. Jake McHargue made a life-changing decision.

He left the corporate world of finance in Salt Lake City to work as the deputy treasurer issuing the utility bills in Vineyard.

“I saw an opportunity,” McHargue said. “After six months I was made the city treasurer, and kept moving up from there.

Two weeks ago, McHargue was made the first city manager for the city of Vineyard. With Vineyard’s form of government, that means McHargue will be in charge of the city’s day-to-day operations.

One of the first things he will orchestrate is Friday’s move into the new city offices at 125 S. Main St. On Monday, the new city hall will be open for business and will initiate the beginning of Vineyard’s new downtown.

In coming years, the downtown will feature offices, a library, retail and restaurants and tout a FrontRunner train and TRAX light-rail station. The city has already cleared approval for building heights up to 12 stories.

McHargue anticipates not only those tall buildings but also approximately 9,000 people living in the mixed-use facilities in the walkable downtown area.

“When I started with Vineyard four years ago there were 500 hundred residents,” McHargue said. “There are 7,000 today and we are on pace to add 2,500 this year and another 2,500 the next year.”

Vineyard is expected to have up to 30,000 residents within the next 10 to 15 years.

On Sunday, the first LDS Church building, a new stake center, will be dedicated.

With the wild growth and changes to the city, McHargue said it was difficult at first for founding families like the Holdaway and Gammon clans to accept. But like other cities, all have realized there is no turning back.

McHargue said the piece of luck Vineyard is having during this major growth period is location, location and location.

“Our location is one of our biggest assets,” McHargue said. “We have four Interstate 15 exits and the new Vineyard Connector will go all the way to Pioneer Crossing. We are just waiting for state funding.”

Besides the Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres, 1,000-plus single family homes, townhomes and condominiums already set to be built or are in the process and new offices and retail business are coming. Additionally, 225 acres of UVU campus and sports fields are in place and a Dairy Queen opened.

Vineyard is on the move and is looking to become a major player in Utah Valley’s economic development.

“The city has done a really good job preparing for the growth that is happening,” McHargue said. “We have hired great staff, we have built a great team here in the city that is working very hard to ensure that we are not only keeping up with the current growth, but we are preparing for the future.”

McHargue said when he started working for Vineyard there were only three full-time employees. As of Wednesday, they have 18 full-time and four part-time employees.

“The benefit the city has that many other cities do not have is that we are starting with almost a blank slate, this is going to help us prepare for the growth and provide the type of community we believe our residents want,” McHargue said. “UVU, the FrontRunner station, and the plans for the city center is going to make Vineyard really unique.”

McHargue isn’t the only one excited about his new city position; Mayor Randy Farnworth said he feels a great burden has been lifted now there is someone in the city offices that can take responsibility off his shoulders.

“He has the vision and moving him into this position was a natural thing,” Farnworth said of McHargue. “He has great respect from other cities and city managers.”

Steven Downs, Orem’s spokesman, has worked with McHargue on several projects.

“Jake has taken proactive steps to find ways to collaborate with Orem; the results of his forward-thinking attitude has been better services for Orem and Vineyard residents in areas such as fire & EMS, library, and other city services,” Downs said.

Vineyard, which previously outsourced much of its work, now has a public works director/city engineer and an economic development/planning director.

Most of these positions at this time carry double duty but as the city grows that will most likely change.

“We’re building for millennials,” Farnworth said. “Jake is a millennial and understands their needs.

McHargue said he is excited to be on the ground floor of developing a new city.

“I love the excitement of being in this growing community and the excitement of being able to face new challenges on a daily basis.” McHargue said. “My goal is to be with Vineyard for a long time.”