Sandy families near Crescent Park could see 17 acres of former school property become public parkland or pass to a private developer, depending on a decision the city must make by mid-August.
Mayor Monica Zoltanski announced in her July 16, newsletter that Sandy City's window to purchase the former Crescent View Middle School property from the Canyons School District is down to its final weeks. The district received a private developer's offer for the site but offered the city first right of purchase.
"These 17 acres, connected to Crescent Park, TRAX, and the Porter Rockwell Trail, may represent the last opportunity in our generation to preserve land of this size for future public use," Zoltanski wrote in the newsletter.
The parcel sits adjacent to Crescent Park with direct connections to the TRAX light-rail line and the Porter Rockwell Trail. If the city moves forward, it plans to ask voters to approve a general obligation bond to fund the acquisition, according to the bond timeline staff presented June 16. The specific purchase price has not been publicly disclosed.
Council briefings already underway
Staff members have briefed the Sandy City Council at least twice on the proposal. At the June 16 council meeting, Ryan Mecham of the city administration presented three scenarios: Sandy could buy the entire 17-acre property, purchase part of it, or walk away entirely. Dan Nelson, the city's real property manager, reviewed financial costs and improvements tied to each option, and Mecham outlined the bond timeline.
Ben Hill, the parks and recreation director, described potential uses including a community center and park space. Mearle Marsh, community arts director, explained how the Sandy Arts Guild could use the existing building for productions and rehearsals. Mayor Zoltanski spoke in support of the purchase at that meeting.
The council received another presentation on the property on July 14, according to the meeting agenda, though minutes have not yet been published.
Residents weigh in
Several Sandy residents spoke in favor of the purchase at the June 16 meeting. Brian Noelle told the council he supported buying the property to preserve open space, even if it meant higher property taxes. Wayne Day backed what staff called "Option 1" and noted the fields are used for football practices and equipment storage. Kelly Forbes said she supported giving voters the chance to decide.
At least one resident, Pat Jones, said she would not support Option 2, though the specific differences between the numbered options have not been detailed in public records available to the Sandy Herald.
What's not yet known
The city has not disclosed the purchase price, the estimated tax impact per household, or a specific bond election date. The mayor's newsletter references five community concepts explored at public meetings, but those concepts have not been individually described in publicly available documents.
How to weigh in
Zoltanski urged residents to contact her and their City Council members during the remaining decision window. The seven-member council includes Chair Cyndi Sharkey, Vice Chair Alison Stroud, Kris Nicholl, Marci Houseman, Brooke Christensen, Brooke D'Sousa, and Aaron Dekeyzer.
The city's deadline to respond to the Canyons School District falls before mid-August 2026, based on the mayor's "less than a month" framing from July 16.
