West Jordan mulls future of old Sugar Factory

The West Jordan City Council plans to meet in a special study session September 29 to discuss a public input survey before taking final action on the decision to transform the Sugar Factory into an arts academy or tear it down and spend impacts fees from new residential developments on a park instead.

The West Jordan City Council voted Wednesday to allocate $195,000 to the Sugar Factory, instead of the originally slated $1 million. The money will be kept in a reserve fund to match dollars in fundraising efforts by the Sugar Factory Arts Campus Committee. Of the $6,400 raised so far, $4,000 came from a July 24 ice cream social at the Historic Steadman Barn. Estimated costs for restoring the west building only is $2.6 million.

Mayor Melissa Johnson believes a better plan would be to tear the factory down and construct a more energy-efficient building for an arts complex.

“There are all kinds of other options to support the arts other than a renovation project. I don't believe historic building renovation is appropriate use for this impact-fee money.” (Melissa Johnson, West Jordan City Mayor)