Inside Hunt
Air Force, Officials, Break Ground at “Falcon Hill“ Research Park
October 13, 2008
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Construction of the largest Enhanced Use Lease project in the history of the Department of the Air Force will officially begin Oct. 10 with a ground breaking ceremony held at Missile Park on Hill AFB.
Several local dignitaries have been invited to turn dirt for the 550-acre Falcon Hill National Aerospace Research Park, including Governor John Huntsman, Sen. Orin Hatch, Sen. Sheldon Killpack, local mayors and other community leaders, said Maj. Gen. Kathleen Close, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander.
"These are exciting times for Hill, Sunset Ridge and our community,” General Close said. “Many people have worked long and hard to arrive at this significant milestone and we are eager to break ground with our community partners."
Groundbreaking will be followed by ground preparation and utilities installation on the west side of Hill AFB adjacent to Interstate 15. A new West Gate will be among the first structures to be built, located further east to accommodate the Falcon Hill project. Several new roads will also be built throughout the fall and winter.
The Air Force land is being made available using a program known as Enhanced Use Lease, or EUL. It takes non-excess land and leases it to private developers for commercial uses. While the Air Force still owns the land, the developer will own the facilities it builds. In return, the Air Force receives either cash payments or payments in-kind (PIK). At Hill, the payments will be in-kind, applied to the construction of new and modern office space for Hill employees.
In August 2008, Sunset Ridge Development Partners signed a Master Lease and Master Development Agreement with the Air Force. Sunset Ridge Development Partners consists of Woodbury Corporation of Utah and Hunt Development Group of Texas.
Falcon Hill Fast Facts:
* More than 550 acres on the West Side of Hill AFB will be developed
* Some 15,000 new aerospace industry jobs are projected to come to the local area
* The commercial development will consist of office and research space, supporting retail establishments, restaurants and hotels
* The development’s first 180 acres is expected to infuse a half-billion dollars into the local economy
* Created by the Utah legislature in 2007, the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) will manage all funds
Several local dignitaries have been invited to turn dirt for the 550-acre Falcon Hill National Aerospace Research Park, including Governor John Huntsman, Sen. Orin Hatch, Sen. Sheldon Killpack, local mayors and other community leaders, said Maj. Gen. Kathleen Close, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander.
"These are exciting times for Hill, Sunset Ridge and our community,” General Close said. “Many people have worked long and hard to arrive at this significant milestone and we are eager to break ground with our community partners."
Groundbreaking will be followed by ground preparation and utilities installation on the west side of Hill AFB adjacent to Interstate 15. A new West Gate will be among the first structures to be built, located further east to accommodate the Falcon Hill project. Several new roads will also be built throughout the fall and winter.
The Air Force land is being made available using a program known as Enhanced Use Lease, or EUL. It takes non-excess land and leases it to private developers for commercial uses. While the Air Force still owns the land, the developer will own the facilities it builds. In return, the Air Force receives either cash payments or payments in-kind (PIK). At Hill, the payments will be in-kind, applied to the construction of new and modern office space for Hill employees.
In August 2008, Sunset Ridge Development Partners signed a Master Lease and Master Development Agreement with the Air Force. Sunset Ridge Development Partners consists of Woodbury Corporation of Utah and Hunt Development Group of Texas.
Falcon Hill Fast Facts:
* More than 550 acres on the West Side of Hill AFB will be developed
* Some 15,000 new aerospace industry jobs are projected to come to the local area
* The commercial development will consist of office and research space, supporting retail establishments, restaurants and hotels
* The development’s first 180 acres is expected to infuse a half-billion dollars into the local economy
* Created by the Utah legislature in 2007, the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) will manage all funds