Real estate development is a complicated and often risky process. It can take years to bring a project to life, and there are plenty of obstacles that can pop up along the way. In February 2021, Murray City was faced with many proposed developments. The city enacted a six-month moratorium on mixed-use projects to study the issue and propose new regulations to guide developers, aid overwhelmed city services, and maintain the character of Murray neighborhoods.

One project that stalled during this six-month halt to development was Howland Partners’ redevelopment of The Pointe @ 53rd, at 5300 South along State Street. The property was a 13-acre shopping center with a mix of retail stores, restaurants, and offices. Located near Murray’s downtown, city park, Intermountain Medical Center, and Murray Central Station, Howland Partners envisioned their six-acre redevelopment as a true mixed-use project developed with input from city and community partners. 

After securing required amendments to Murray City’s future land use and zoning maps as well as approval of a master site plan, Howland Partners enlisted FOCUS to provide survey and site civil engineering services to convert an existing building into individual condominium units. When finished, the 12,772 square foot area will contain 16 units on four floors. 

FOCUS project lead Matt Merrill oversaw field crews to complete drone flights and field work for the project. Because this type of development is a first for Murray City, Matt met several times with Howland Partners and the City to ensure the data to be submitted was organized and presented correctly. 

For a surveyor, it’s exciting to be a part of such a unique project. “It’s not typical to prepare a condominium plat for buildings that are already built,” discloses Matt. 

A mixed-use development project like The Pointe @ 53rd provides opportunities to stimulate revitalization in communities like Murray City. By promoting growth in an area with existing infrastructure, walkable, livable areas can be developed where empty shopping centers once stood.