Development at The Point kicks into gear as expansion work of Porter Rockwell Boulevard begins
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- A crowd gathers near excavators at a groundbreaking ceremony for The Point on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
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- This rendering depicts an aerial view of The Point, an expansive 600-acre development to be constructed on the site of the former Utah State Prison.
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- A promotional rendering of Porter Rockwell Boulevard’s expansion is shown during a groundbreaking ceremony at The Point in Draper on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
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- Draper Mayor Troy Walker addresses a crowd at the podium during a groundbreaking ceremony for The Point on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
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- Utah Gov. Spencer Cox sits in an excavator during a groundbreaking ceremony at The Point on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
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- This rendering shows a promenade and event center at The Point.
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- Crew members of Orem-based construction company WW Clyde stand near an excavator during a groundbreaking ceremony for The Point on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
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- Dirt is scooped by an excavator during a groundbreaking ceremony at The Point on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
In what some are calling the most significant development in Utah’s history, work on essential infrastructure that will serve residents of Utah and Salt Lake counties near the Point of the Mountain has kicked into gear.
On Tuesday, state leaders, elected officials, members of The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority and construction crews gathered to break ground on what will be an expansion of Porter Rockwell Boulevard.
The thoroughfare is set to serve as the future site’s main road connecting The Point’s development in Bluffdale to surrounding areas including northern Utah County, while also reportedly improving north-south traffic mobility.
The Point aims to be a mixed-use development occupying 600 acres of state-owned property at the former Utah State Prison site in Draper.
Phase I of the project, encompassing 100 acres of the overall site, will include various shopping and entertainment venues, with a focus on walkability, biking and increased public transit, ultimately leading to a hoped-for boost to the economy with hundreds of jobs and affordable housing options.
“It’s the epicenter of the fastest-growing part of the fastest-growing state in the country,” Gov. Spencer Cox said during the event. “It’s close to major universities, including Utah Valley University and Brigham Young University.”
Cox along with other local leaders climbed inside of excavators for the ceremonial dig of the first scoops of dirt signifying the start of construction.
“We’re building much more than just a road; we’re building a community. The Point will be a place for all Utahns to enjoy with their friends, family and co-workers,” said State Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, who also is the Land Authority co-chair. “We are maximizing taxpayers’ return on investment by developing The Point in a way that provides a direct and immediate benefit to Utahns.”
Lawmakers reserved a $165 million loan to invest in infrastructure for The Point, which will be paid back with interest when building lessees begin to emerge.
“Having Porter Rockwell Boulevard (will) help connect the southwest part of the valley that’s one of the biggest transportation congestion areas in our state,” Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, told reporters. “So having this roadway come through here will be huge.”
Orem-based construction company WW Clyde was selected along with Geneva Rock to work on the first phase of the project.
Though the first Phase of development for The Point will take more than a decade, some buildings and infrastructure could go up within the next year.
The Point of the Mountain Land Authority said more specific details on those plans should be revealed in the near future.
“Developing The Point is a massive undertaking that will not happen overnight. The sheer magnitude of our work cannot be overstated,” said Michael Ambre, The Point’s executive director, in a press release.
Project leaders say the state-owned land is poised to reflect the vision of Utahns for generations to come.
“We all have a connection to and a stake in this rapidly growing area, and we anticipate The Point will have a significant impact on north Utah County and the Silicon Slopes community,” said Utah County Government Communications Manager Richard Piatt in an emailed statement. “Utah County is proud to support the state’s efforts to unlock the potential of this once-in-a-lifetime development opportunity.”
The newly expanded section of Porter Rockwell Boulevard is expected to be completed sometime in 2026. Future plans are said to also include a new Utah Transit Authority FrontRunner station at the site.
