Holladay's Spring Lane Park project could grow by $2.1 million, pushing the total budget to $9.1 million, according to a public hearing notice posted Tuesday, July 28.
The Local Building Authority will take public comment on the proposed budget amendment at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 6, at the city's temporary Council Chambers at 3330 South 1300 East in Millcreek. Residents who can't attend in person may email comments to [email protected] by 5 p.m. that day or watch a livestream on the city's website.
What the numbers show
The amendment would raise the Spring Lane Park line item from $6,967,138 to $9,100,000 for fiscal year 2026-27. The $2,132,862 increase would come entirely from the LBA Fund Balance, not from new bonds or a property tax hike.
The LBA's total appropriation from fund balance would rise from $14.46 million to $16.59 million under the proposal.
The notice, certified by City Recorder Stephanie N. Carlson, does not specify what triggered the increase. The document labels it only as "Increase in Spring Lane Park budget." No public explanation has been offered.
Finance Director Christian Larsen told the Holladay City Council at its Thursday, June 4, meeting that a budget amendment for the LBA was anticipated early in fiscal year 2026-27 as the project moved forward. Mayor Paul Fotheringham said in late May, when the council adopted the tentative budget, that he was "pleasantly surprised at how well the budget came together without the need for a property tax adjustment, primarily because of the two big projects," according to the Holladay Journal.
Background on the project
The 12-acre park on the former Spring Lane Elementary site at 5315 Woodcrest Drive would roughly double Holladay's existing parkland. Knudsen Park covers 6.1 acres and Holladay City Park spans 6.5 acres. Nearly 4,500 residents live within a 15-minute walk of the site, according to city planning documents.
Holladay secured a 30-year lease with Granite School District for the property starting January 1, 2026, at a total cost of about $1.5 million over the term, as reported by the Holladay Journal in October 2025. The school closed in 2023, and the district demolished the building but preserved structural elements, including glulam beams and bridge walkways, for reuse in the park design.
Concept plans call for four pickleball courts, a 0.75-acre all-ages playground, 4.75 acres of multipurpose fields, a pavilion, 1.25 miles of walking paths, and parking expanded from 66 to 185 stalls. A Design-Build procurement document was targeted for late summer 2026, according to a March council briefing.
How to weigh in
Mayor Fotheringham chairs the Local Building Authority. Council members Emily Gray, Drew Quinn, Matt Durham, Dave Sundwall, and Natalie Bradley serve as the remaining board members.
The public hearing is Thursday, August 6, at 6:30 p.m. at 3330 South 1300 East, Millcreek. Written comments go to [email protected] by 5 p.m. August 6. The proposed amendments are available for inspection at holladayut.gov and at the City Recorder's office during business hours.
