Utah leaders officially broke ground Tuesday on the first phase of the development at the site of the former state prison, now known as The Point of the Mountain. Gov. Spencer Cox, along with legislative leaders and community members, gathered to mark the occasion for the 600-acre state-owned land in Draper.

The first phase of the project will cover 100 acres and include shopping, entertainment, a main street, and high-density housing. A longtime chapel, the last remaining structure from the old state prison, will also be part of the new development.

“It’s really one of the best locations in the nation,” said House Speaker Mike Schultz. “What will happen here over the next decade or two will really help propel Utah moving into the future.”

During the groundbreaking, state leaders used excavators to symbolically turn over dirt. A key part of the initial phase involves extending Porter Rockwell Boulevard, which will connect the south and north areas of the site. The road will cater to both vehicles and pedestrians, with dedicated cycling paths.

“That’s one of the biggest transportation congestion areas in our state,” Schultz noted. “So having this roadway come through here will be huge.”

Michael Ambre, executive director of The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority, shared that the new extension of the road should be ready in two years. In addition, construction on several buildings and infrastructure is set to begin in the next year. Utah lawmakers have allocated $165 million for the site’s infrastructure, which will be repaid with interest from future land leases.

“We’ve been planning and designing infrastructure for over two years,” said Ambre. “So to see this happen — and now it’s ‘go time’ — it’s great when you see things starting to move.”

Gov. Cox emphasized the importance of adding “thousands of new housing units” to the site as part of efforts to address the state’s ongoing housing shortage. While Ambre could not provide specific details, he confirmed that housing is a critical part of the development. The first phase will include market-rate apartments, with some affordable units as well.

“We can’t give you exact numbers yet,” said Ambre. “But there will be a lot of opportunity for housing.”

Leaders plan to complete the entire 600-acre development over the next 30 years, with the first phase expected to take 15 years. Ambre hopes to shorten this timeline.

Draper Mayor Troy Walker expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress. “It’s a beginning, which is good,” he said. “We’re doing it finally.”