That was the word received by members of the Military Installation Development Authority, in a meeting here Tuesday.
“We went to Wright-Patterson (AFB, Ohio) about moving Northrop Grumman to the base,” said Darrin Wray, project manager.
He said about $4.5 million is needed for a facility upgrade and $8 million classified as “move-in” related expenses.
“There has been a lot of discussion since October,” Wray said, noting meetings were held in both mid-October and mid-November. Another one is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 9.
“We hope to have a decision soon,” he said, with Sunset Ridge, the construction development consortium, ready to sign a lease and move forward when that happens.
“The West Gate (modifications) are all designed, waiting on Northrop Grumman,” Wray said. “It’s all tied together. I’m optimistic” approval will be forthcoming soon, he added.
Falcon Hill is a mammoth project covering about 550 acres, much of it on the west end of the base, adjacent to I-15. It’s projected eight million square feet of construction will be completed in phases, much of it replacing World War II-era facilities.
In addition, private sector firms, such as Northrop Grumman, will be located there, including some inside the base, others adjacent. Tens of thousands of new jobs are also projected to be created over the next decades.
Meanwhile, site selection is continuing to select a new Hill AFB hotel site in Park City, said Dave Williamsen, who handles facilities planning for the base.
“The National Security Agency has invited our participation,” said Rick Mayfield, MIDA executive director. “It’s mostly off-site improvements,” with negotiations under way with the NSA.
That facility is due to be built in Draper and could employ more than 1,000 people, many in highly classified positions.
Meanwhile, “very preliminary” discussions are under way with the Army Corps of Engineers near Tooele.
“I suspect by 2010 we may have a project out there,” Mayfield said. “It’s amazing how MIDA has become focused statewide instead of just Falcon Hill. It’s helping the economy tremendously.”
tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
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