Target coming to Farr West as retailers eye opportunity in growing areas of Weber County

FARR WEST — A Target store is to come to Farr West as part of a major 50-acre new development proposal in the northern Weber County city, marking another step forward in the spread of major retailers outside the Ogden and Riverdale areas.

The development site off the northeast corner of the I-15 and 2700 North interchange is largely vacant, but 2700 North is an increasingly major thoroughfare in the area and home to a growing cluster of fast-food outlets. Apart from the Target, a site map provided by Farr West shows 13 other possible commercial sites at the development location, making for a possible 269,065 square feet in new commercial space in all.

Three multi-story apartment buildings containing 274 units between them are also envisioned at the site.

"Site work is already underway, and residents can expect ongoing construction activity in the months and years ahead," Farr West Mayor David Bolos said in a statement. "Target is anticipated to begin construction this fall, marking an exciting step forward for our community with the addition of a major, nationally recognized retailer."

Numerous other retailers have expressed interest in locating at the site, including Ross Dress for Less, the Burlington Coat Factory and PetSmart, according to Bolos, though none have committed. Eateries like Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and In-N-Out Burger have also expressed interest.

Riverdale Road in Riverdale and Ogden is home to most of the retailers and big-box stores in Weber County. But with population growth west of the I-15 corridor and north of Ogden, major retailers are seeing opportunities in the county's expanding areas. Officials last November broke ground on a new Walmart in West Haven at the 4200 block of South Midland Drive, a major development for that city. Smith's Marketplace, meanwhile, has been considering expanding to Hooper, further west of West Haven.

The West Haven Walmart will become the first grocery store in the city and the fourth Walmart in Weber County. Target has a location in Riverdale and the Farr West outlet at what's dubbed Farr West Landing — near Pleasant View, North Ogden and Plain City — would become the second one in the county.

"Farr West city looks forward to continued progress as Farr West Landing becomes a premier commercial destination for our community and the surrounding region," Bolos said. The development, to be spearheaded by Omaha, Nebraska-based Woodsonia Real Estate Inc., will also bolster sales tax revenues entering city coffers, he said.

The project area plan for the development approved by city leaders earlier this month touts the drawing power of Target stores. The plan says Woodsonia is involved in a project in Logan that also calls for a new Target.

"Target retail operations are enduring. As the anchor retail operation within the project area, it is anticipated Target will enable the draw of other brand-name retail operations as well as support small, local business opportunities by capturing measurable consumer traffic to the area," the plan reads. Boosters also say the development will help create new jobs, bolster the tax base and improve access to goods and services for area residents.

According to the project plans, overall private investment in the development, if fully carried out, would total $223.9 million, including $99.4 million for the retail elements and $66 million for the housing elements. Some $11.65 million in public funds would be used for the project, including $3.77 million in funding for road improvements around the site.

The city of Farr West would provide some $7 million over 15 years in partially deferred sales tax revenue generated by new development in the project area, to be used for public infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, public parking, water and sewer infrastructure and more. New sales tax revenue going to the city in the first 10 years of the project would total nearly $800,000.

Provision of the tax increment funding "is strictly contingent on the development of an operating Target retail store no later than 2029," the plan reads.

Bolos said one lingering concern is the impact the development would have on traffic at the I-15/2700 North interchange, already problematic at times. Upgrades are needed, he said, but that's the realm of Utah Department of Transportation officials.

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