LAYTON -- The hometown owners of Destination Homes aren't waiting for light rail's arrival in less than two years or anticipated completion of a new freeway interchange a few years after that. Already bursting at the seams in their current location, the firm is building a multi-story headquarters in what once was considered downtown Layton -- south Main Street, a few blocks south and west of Layton's city hall complex and Layton High School. Eventually, the building company plans to build a second office building, where it will then move its operations, and lease the one now under construction as retail space on the main floor and offices above that. The footings have been poured, initial flooring in on the site behind Movie Buffs, says Seth Butterfield. He is the city's economic development coordinator.

The old Albertsons/Tom's on the northwest corner of Fort Lane and Gentile, meanwhile, has been transformed into a new Gold's Gym.

Other businesses are taking a more "wait and see" attitude, however. The economic development official doesn't blame them for not taking immediate action.

"I think we've got all the framework in place to make it work," Butterfield says of downtown plans.

Areas like the old Fort Lane Shopping Center will likely see big changes, especially after a fire gutted offices and stores some months ago. However, the planned new South Layton Interchange was pushed back at least two years following a $2 million lawsuit by an area landowner.

Residents recently had the chance to view possible scenarios for that interchange and nearby areas.

"With that delay, the value of the land will probably reach a value that it can be sold and developed," Butterfield said.

Some "very preliminary" projects are in the works. For example, Gibbs Smith, Publisher, has indicated it still wants to develop its property on west South Main Street, south of First National Bank. He previously announced a retail/office project about six years ago, but nothing ever came to fruition.

"One of the big real estate firms was getting information about relocating a Layton business" to the downtown area, Butterfield continued.

Near the Destination Homes site, there is talk of developing retail areas, including restaurants, as well as townhomes, that could draw people who want to enjoy the sound of a creek and other amenities, he said.

"I think that would be a good location where, say, young or retired couples could live, walk across the street and catch the train, and head to Salt Lake for the opera or whatever. They could get by without a car if they lived between Main Street and Fort Lane," Butterfield said.

Meanwhile, plans are still under way for the light rail station. It will involve moving Doug & Emmy's Family Restaurant a bit north of their current west South Main location, closer to where the station originally sat.

Two parking areas are envisioned, including the southernmost, which will accommodate physically disabled train riders.

Nearly a half dozen plans are being studied to get people from the west side parking to the other side of the tracks, he said. Those proposals range from $3 million to $7 million in cost.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com