Author: Chad Charles

While Orem residents wait to hear the official word on what is happening with the west anchor at University Place, there is news about other retail businesses moving in.

“We are seeing continued active growth and a vibrant community with a strong business and retail base,” said Kathi Beckett, Economic Development division manager.

Some residents have been guessing as to what is coming where and when on social media, but Leatherby’s Family Creamery, which was once a busy family gathering restaurant in Provo, has made the official announcement it is coming back — this time to Orem.

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University Place mixed-use parking and office space

The new eight-story structure that will hold five stories of parking and three stories of office space northwest of the old Macy’s location at University Place is in the final approval process, according to Beckett.

The terraced mixed-use facility is part of the ongoing seven-year plan to upgrade and make additions to the University Place campus.

The construction on the eight-story structure will begin sometime this spring.

The 2010s have now come to a close and we are welcoming the ’20s.

Utah County has seen significant change over the past decade, including population growth and the changing landscape of the county, but has also seen some elements that seem to stay the same, like the seemingly never-ending construction on I-15.

Here are 15 stories that marked the decade in Utah County:

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A county welcoming development

Along with the increases in population, Utah County saw an increase in development.

One of the largest commercial developments was announced in late 2013, which would transform University Mall in Orem to University Place. The project aimed to add 400,000 square feet of new retail space, 700,000 square feet of new office space, 1.25 million square feet of new multi-family residential space and 70,000 square feet of new hotel space to area around the mall. The project, which was anticipated to take eight to 10 years, is still underway, but is ahead of schedule.

The development in Utah County even reached the Provo Airport, which began accepting commercial flights in 2011 with Frontier Airlines. Frontier ended flights to and from Provo in early 2012, but one month later, Allegiant Air announced that it would begin commercial flights in and out of Provo. Just this year, an airport terminal expansion was announced, which will bring up to 10 new gates and more than 22 flights a day to and from Provo. Initially there will be four new gates. Completion should be by the end of 2020.

The county also welcomed large companies to the area this decade, including Adobe who announced an expansion into Lehi in 2010. Tyson Foods is also building a plant and Facebook is building a data center in Eagle Mountain.

Read the full article here.

For two weeks in December, a section of the Lehi rodeo grounds is transformed into a familiar New Testament scene.

Visitors who enter “A Babe is Born” are greeted by a variety of farm animals, actors and a stable with a rock wall backdrop, where Joe and Tori Coccimiglio, dressed to represent Joseph and Mary, watch over baby Jesus in a live Nativity reenactment.

It’s a timeless story with a universal message, Joe Coccimiglio said.

“The story of Christ’s birth is one of joy and being a family, experiencing real love,” he said. “Regardless of your faith, I think everyone can experience and enjoy that.”

The live Nativity in Lehi is one of many along Utah’s Wasatch Front this month that are helping to usher in the spirit of Christmas.

Pope Francis recently voiced his support for Nativity scenes as “simple and admirable” signs of Christian faith. The leader of the global Catholic Church signed an apostolic letter encouraging the placement of Nativity scenes in workplaces, schools and town squares, according to the Associated Press.

Read the full article here.

Aisha Kerala never made a gingerbread house before, but on Saturday afternoon at the University Place Mall in Orem, multiple people approached her to ask how she made the icicles on her house, or the detailed bricks, or even if she’d consider selling it after the competition was over.

“Honestly I just entered (the competition) because I love Christmas,” said Kerala, of Spanish Fork, who won first place out of 30 entries at the mall’s second annual Bakers of Utah Gingerbread Competition.

University Place wanted to give local at-home bakers a place to present their work and promote themselves, said Cindy Nguyen, marketing director for University Place.

The 2019 competition grew immensely from last year’s, Nguyen said. Last year, there were only nine gingerbread house entries. Over 1,500 votes from the public came in over the last week, in comparison to just 500 last year.

Read the full article here.

Santa and his Christmas friends will give a Christmas concert where you can Ho-Ho-hum along. This outdoor concert will be about an hour long and there will be hot chocolate, treats and giveaways.

Where: The Orchard at University Place; 575 E. University Parkway, Orem

Cost: Free

More info: https://live-university-place-production.pantheonsite.io/events/santa-friends-christmas-concert

Read the full article here.

Orem will be home to one of 10 locations for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Giving Machines this Christmas season.

According to a press release from the church, a Giving Machine will be located at University Place in Orem starting Nov. 26.

“This year we will be adding new locations for our Giving Machines,” said Elder Brent H. Nielson, General Authority Seventy in a press release. “This unique way to give not only blesses the life of the giver, but also lifts the receiver in locations all around the world. Our hope is to offer opportunities to Light the World one by one.”

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The popular #LightTheWorld campaign is expanding this year to 10 new locations, according to a statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The campaign places “Giving Machines”at various locations. These machines accept money that is then used to help support local charities such as EyeCare4Kids, the Utah Food Bank, Neighborhood House and Utah Refugee Connection.