Holladay's $9.1 million Spring Lane Park project faces its decisive moment Thursday when the City Council votes on the formal design plan.

Resolution 2026-26, listed on the Aug. 20 meeting agenda posted Monday, Aug. 17, by City Recorder Stephanie N. Carlson, would adopt the design plan for the 12.2-acre park planned for the former Spring Lane Elementary School campus. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Holladay Council Chambers, 3330 S. 1300 East.

Residents who want to weigh in can email [email protected] with the subject line "Public Comment" by 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, or attend in person.

What the design includes

The plan calls for four pickleball courts, a 0.75-acre all-ages playground, 1.25 miles of pathways, 4.75 acres of multipurpose fields with a spectator buffer, a new pavilion, restrooms, small educational gardens and a courtyard garden. Parking would expand from 66 to 185 stalls.

The design also incorporates pieces of the old school: iconic glulam beams repurposed as trellis elements along the primary walking path, existing bridge hallways connecting the park's central core to recreation areas, and the building's geometric facade reincorporated in a new plaza area and mural.

How the project got here

The council reviewed the design at an Aug. 6 work session, as we reported Aug. 4. That was not a formal vote. A city staff report prepared by assistant city manager Holly Smith, community and economic development director Jon Teerlink and others indicated that if the council gave direction at the work session, staff would bring a resolution for approval Aug. 20.

The project's budget grew from roughly $6.97 million to $9.1 million after the Holladay Local Building Authority approved a $2.1 million increase at an Aug. 6 public hearing. The additional funding came entirely from the LBA's existing fund balance, freed up in part because the City Hall seismic retrofit project came in under its original cost estimate. No General Fund or Capital Projects Fund transfers were required.

The design emerged from a community engagement process that included a workshop with about 22 adjacent residents, stakeholder interviews with Granite School District, Impact United and Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, and an online survey that drew 680 responses.

What's next

If the council adopts the design plan Thursday, staff will select a landscape architect to advance the conceptual design prepared by MHTN Architects into final construction documents. The city plans a modified Construction Manager/General Contractor delivery method, with city staff performing the construction management role.

Groundbreaking is targeted for April 2027. Completion would follow in November 2027. A separate General Plan amendment designating the site as a public park will come before the council at a later meeting.