Commercial Properties (vacancies, new businesses, etc.):

Goodwill Industries site (formerly Oja Lumber):  Exterior construction seems to be mostly complete – roof is up; entire building is painted; windows & awnings are in; some roof and siding work still to be completed.  Focus seems to be turning to the interior now.  Out building seems to be slightly behind the main building as far as the exterior goes.

[Goodwill Industries projects a December 2016 completion date for both the new Goodwill building and the additional 4,000 square foot retail building.  The retail building has not pre-leased to anyone yet as far as I know – still 100% available.]

Timberline Meats (formerly Gifts of Past and Present):  Construction is beginning very soon on this project – plans for the exterior are complete, but the owner is having difficulty finding contractors to do some of the work, as local trade contractors seem to have more business than they know what to do with.  Plans for the interior are still “in progress”, but the basic layout is fairly simple and shouldn’t change.  Owner is anticipating a spring opening if everything goes smoothly, and he is very optimistic about this business model and its potential for success.

La Bamba “Nuevo”:  Work continues on both interior and exterior of the building, moving toward what the owner hopes will be a spring grand opening.

Carlson property:  Still under construction.  Utilities are (mostly) installed but have not completed a final inspection yet.  Looks like project completion in the spring is likely.

Scooter’s Sports Bar & Restaurant (Sandy Marketplace):  Mr. Detweiler is set to receive the keys to the unit early in January now.  According to him, most of what he is planning should not require permits (solely an interior remodel) and should not take long to do, but he plans to come into City Hall after key acquisition and chat with us about his plans to confirm that he is doing everything correctly.  I believe he is still shooting for a February 2017 grand opening.

Jody Argue building (former Riegelman’s site):  I am happy to announce that Ms. Argue has signed a lease agreement for the back of her building.  Lil’ Cubs Pre School (the pre-school of choice for a number of city staffers) is the business in question, and they would like to occupy the space and open for business in January of 2017.   This deal solves a number of issues for both parties, and they both seem to be very happy with the terms.

Project work: 

• City departmental webpages: Community Services is now complete.  Finance and Planning will round out the remaining departments, although both departments are very busy right now and have requested that we hold off until workloads lighten a bit.  Update: I am meeting with Finance during the week of 12/12 to begin their page!
• Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec. 2): Another well attended and successful event this year.  Special thanks to the following: the Sandy High School Choir, which had about twice as many members as last year; the local Girl Scout Chapter for volunteering to serve cocoa to the community and doing it with loads of holiday spirit;  DJ Anderson of Suburban Chevy, who MCed the event again for us; community member Jim Allison who played Santa for us again this year; all of the businesses that donated food and beverage (Mtn Moka, Tollgate Bakery, Starbucks, Busy Bee Catering, and Chariteas), the PW Crew for locating, cutting and installing the City’s tree (and Bill Knapp for donating it!) and the ladies from the Decorating Committee (Lisa Foster, Connie Knittel and Debbie Grimes) who helped me set up and take down.

Also, an extra special “thank you” to the Sandy Historical Museum, who stayed open during the Ceremony and provided hot apple cider, salted caramel fudge and a hugely popular kids crafts room upstairs, along with clean restrooms and their usual collection of historical exhibits.  Museum staffers tell me that this event is now their busiest day of the year, and we couldn’t be happier that we can drive so much business through their doors….even if it is only for a night.  Anyhow, a fantastic job done by all, and another successful holiday celebration!

 […and although the tree was much bigger this year and this was appreciated, it has been “suggested” to me from many sources that we should return to a shaped noble fir next year….even if we have to sacrifice some height.  So noted.]

Conferences/training: 

None in November.  I did participate in an annual retreat and the 2016 Annual Meeting for the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce, and will be heading their Economic Development Committee for the foreseeable future.