'We're just stuck': Residents impacted by Provo mall redevelopment plan

PROVO — As plans move forward to redevelop a Provo mall, residents at a nearby mobile home park are trying to figure out what's next.

The Provo City Council recently approved a proposal from owner Brixton Capital to turn Provo Towne Centre, which first opened in 1998, into a mixed-use development that includes housing and open space.

But the plan includes Shady Acres mobile home park, located at 1095 S. 500 West, which sits next to Provo Towne Centre and is also owned by Brixton Capital. Residents there will have to move.

"It's their property and it's their rights to do what they want with the property," said Kay Larsen, who has lived there for 30 years. "But, I mean, I'm 79 years old, and if we leave this, we're starting at zero."

As part of the agreement with Provo city, Brixton Capital has agreed to give each affected household 18 months' notice and $10,000 to help them move. Larsen doesn't think that's enough.

"The closest place with a spot so far we've found is Price," she said, "and we've been told it's $20,000 to tow this that far."

Provo City Councilman Jeff Whitlock acknowledged that the relocation assistance amount may not be sufficient. He said the potential impact on Shady Acres was the "hardest part" in deciding whether to support the redevelopment plan, which he ultimately did.

"These are people's lives," Whitlock said. "Usually, people living in mobile home parks are some of the most vulnerable in our community."

But Whitlock noted that the mall's owner could choose to evict residents at any time and build something else on that property. He said Provo city leaders were able to negotiate better incentives with this project.

"I still hope that me and other city leaders and community leaders can find ways to help them get additional services and additional support, but it's much better than they would otherwise get," Whitlock said. "I didn't feel like we could responsibly say no and just hope for a better outcome given the market reality and the incentive of the landowners."

Many city leaders praised the plan for the mall. It's set to include around 1,300 apartment units, 77 owner-occupied townhomes, along with retail and commercial space, according to a Provo city news release.

The plan also calls for "public gathering areas, enhanced bicycle and pedestrian connections, and improved access to transit services," the city said. "The project also includes required affordable housing components through the state's Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone program."

"We've engaged with a lot of community members, we've engaged with yourselves, work sessions, taking a lot of feedback from all those various stakeholders and incorporated it into a new proposal," said Justin Long of Brixton Capital. "We think (it) recognizes a lot of those elements."

But for residents like Larsen, progress comes at a cost.

"I like my house," she said. "I don't want to have to move to Price, but we probably don't have any other options."

The redevelopment of Provo Towne Centre is expected to be completed "in phases over multiple years," according to the city.

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