August 23, 1999
Legislation is in the works that gives the Air Force control of about 250 acres in the Park City area. It's potentially some of the most valuable real estate in Utah.
But, it's not exactly a military land-grab.
In fact, open-space advocates say it's a win- win situation for everyone.
News Specialist John Hollenhorst has details.
The Air Force is trying to pull off a deal that sounded very hard to sell when we broke the story a few months ago.
They proposed a year-round military resort in a community that's increasingly determined to protect open-space.
But now, the Air Force may have settled on a winning formula.
The Air Force set its sights originally on building a resort inside the federally-owned Gamble Oak Park. Open-space advocates were gearing up for an epic battle.
But now listen to them.
SALLY ELLIOT/CITIZENS OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE: "I THINK WE'RE ALL JUST AS PLEASED AS WE COULD BE."
They're hopeful a new plan, currently in draft legislative form, will give both sides what they want.
The Air Force would put the resort here instead, on commercial land the city owns along the main drag. It would be a year-round destination for military personnel and families.
BRUCE COLLINS/AIR FORCE SPOKESMAN: "THAT ESPECIALLY AFFORDS LOWER-RANKING MILITARY TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO UP THERE IN AN AREA THAT WOULD BE OUT OF THEIR REACH FINANCIALLY."
In return for getting city land, supposedly worth a million bucks an acre, the Air Force will use its muscle in Congress. The Defense Departent would take about 250 acres from the federal Bureau of Land Management.
But the key point is that the military would immediately sign the land over to Park City for protection as open-space.
SALLY ELLIOT/CITIZENS OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE: "IF IN FACT WE CAN WORK THE SWAP OUT, WE HAVE JUST TURNED ONE SMALL PIECE OF LAND INTO 250 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE IN PARK CITY THAT'S PROBABLY PRICELESS. PLUS, WE'VE MADE EVERYBODY HAPPY."
Congressman Jim Hansen says if the agreement solidifies, he'll take the ball and run with it in Congress to make sure the Air Force gets its resort.
REP. JAMES HANSEN/R-1ST CONGRESSIONAL DIST.: "I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A PLACE. I FEEL REALLY STRONG THAT THESE KIDS THAT GO OUT AND DEFEND US, THEY NEED A LITTLE R & R. THAT'S THE VERY LEAST WE CAN DO FOR THEM."
There are still some loose ends:
Should it be an out and out swap, or a lease arrangement?
Also, the BLM is likely to be unhappy giving up that much land.
And people with mining claims will have to be accommodated.
But it appears the outlines of a deal are firmly in place.
