Gully Developer Surprised to be Caught in Political Battle

None by KCPW

Says He'll Sell to the City as Open Space "For a Profit"

(KCPW News) He only intended to build houses, but now developer Don Edwards is in the middle of a political battle over a scenic plot of land he recently purchased near 17th South and 17th East, known as Wasatch Hollow. Two weeks ago, the Salt Lake City Council slapped a moratorium on any development within 100 feet of Emigration Creek, effectively killing Edward's plans for multiple high-end homes. Now he's hoping to sell the land and cut his losses:

"You know I've got better things to do than sit here and do this," says Edwards. "I had a wonderful dream and I don't deserve to be hammered by a few individuals in the city and a few individuals that live by the property."

Edwards has listed the property for four and a half million dollars - about twice what he paid for it two months ago. And he says he's had a few nibbles. Meanwhile, Edwards has been in negotiations with the city to sell the land as open space. Now that they passed the moratorium without even warning him, Edwards says he'll entertain a purchase offer from the city, but he's not inclined to do any favors:

"I'm not going to be the big bad villain, but I am looking at a profit," says Edwards. "What that profit is, I don't know because they have to tell me. And if they're smart, they'll do it in a hurry."

Salt Lake City nearly acquired the land from its previous owner, but took too long finding the money and it went to Edwards instead. While the city works to find even more money for the open space purchase, Edwards says he's also moving ahead with plans for two homes on the land that won't interfere with the 100-foot moratorium, just in case.

Listen to previous stories on the Wasatch Gully:

Wasatch Hollow Community Council Considers Purchase (May 8, 2006)

Kids Join Effort to Save Wasatch Gully (Nov. 29, 2006) 

Preservation Effort Faces Opposition (Jan. 8, 2007) 

Open Space Effort Ends in Disappointment (June 25, 2007) 

SLC Council Halts Development Along Creek (July 23, 2007)

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