This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The fate of the old Granite High School campus is now in the hands of South Salt Lake voters.
City officials are asking residents to approve a $25 million bond to purchase the property and begin retrofitting the buildings for a community center.
"While we lack a community center, it's probably the most identifiable community aspect that we have," Council Chairman Casey Fitts said of the 27-acre campus.
The city's Freedom Festival has been held at the campus for several years, Fitts said, and residents have been clamoring for "a sense of place, a sense of purpose." The old high school fits the bill, Fitts said, with existing facilities like the old gym that can be turned into a recreation center at minimal cost.
South Salt Lake is currently leasing the property from Granite School District, which has given the city right of first refusal, said Granite spokesman Ben Horsley. If residents reject the bond, the district will then look to other buyers and could split the property into smaller pieces to get the maximum return.
The Granite Board of Education voted to close the school in 2009 due to declining enrollment and pressure to make up a budget shortfall. Closing the school saved $1.3 million in annual operating costs.
The 30-year bond would cost taxpayers around $84 a year, based on a $165,000 home, according to estimates. Commercial properties would pay $136. Despite the price tag, most residents favor the plan, with 65 percent saying they would vote in favor in a recent survey. Many indicated they would rather see a community center than commercial development or new homes on the site.
"This is our only chance to make decisions regarding the development and use of the Granite property," said resident Jerusha Riser. "I think it was really hard for residents to see it dismantled as a high school."
Riser's passion for the project has propelled her into the District Four City Council race. She wants to be a part of the center and help determine what it will become. The city currently lacks a nucleus, Riser believes, and having a place to come together will increase community involvement.
Exact plans for the project are still in the works, Fitts said, and the first item of business is to secure the property and ensure it is safe and usable. There will be some sort of recreation center, most likely derived from Granite's old gym, with a pool and exercise equipment. The city has also discussed adding meeting space, and possibly contracting with a charter school to lease some of the buildings and raise revenue for the city.
Residents have expressed interest in open space at the facility, Fitts added, including room for outdoor concerts or movies in the park. The plaza could also play host to events like a farmers market or holiday events.
Voters won't make the decision until November, but city officials are seeking input in the meantime. The city is also kicking off an educational campaign to let voters know about the project, and gather feedback about their wants and needs. Residents who have concerns are also welcome to voice their opinion, Fitts said, as the council hopes to include something for every resident at the center.
Twitter:@Katie_Drake —
Granite Rocks
City officials and residents are kicking off an educational campaign to raise awareness of the Granite High project and get ideas for the community center. To learn more, visit http://www.graniterocks.org. Granite High School, which opened in 1906, was a public high school at 3305 S. 500 East in South Salt Lake until declining enrollment and the Granite School District's budget constraints led to the school's closure at the end of the 2009 school year. A final open house was held on July 3, 2009.
The school was steeped in Utah's athletic and academic history, having graduated a number of notable alumni during its heyday. Among them are sports names such as Frank Christensen, named Utah's athlete of the century, and former professional football players Gordon Jolley, Rick Parros and Golden Richards.
Other notable graduates include Ed Catmull, a president at animation giant Pixar; former U.S. Sen. Frank Moss; Cecil O. Samuelson, president of Brigham Young University; and Leigh Harline, Academy Award-winning songwriter of "Wish Upon a Star."