The Provo City Council on Tuesday gave final approval to a major redevelopment of the Provo Towne Centre, clearing the way for a partial demolition of the existing mall and a conversion of its parking areas into an open-concept, mixed-use campus. The vote was 5-1.
Project aims and what stays
The proposal, led by developer Brixton Capital, would retain the mall’s primary anchors — Target, JCPenney and Cinemark — while removing other sections of the building and reimagining portions of the site as new housing and community space. The developer envisions a roughly 2-acre outdoor gathering area intended for farmers’ markets and community events.
Council reaction and rationale
Supporters at the council meeting acknowledged the plan is not perfect, but said inaction risked long-term decline. "If we don't do anything and we just stay the course, what's going to happen is we're going to see a blighted area," Council Member Jeff Whitlock said in urging approval. He described the approved version as a substantive improvement over earlier proposals and warned that rejecting the project could prompt the developer to abandon the property.
"Is this project perfect? No. If I had a magic wand, I'd probably change a lot of things. But it's a complicated puzzle trying to solve a lot of various factors." — Council Member Jeff Whitlock
Displacement of Shady Acres residents
A contentious component of the deal is the required removal of the adjacent Shady Acres mobile home park. Under the development agreement, the owner must provide each household with 18 months to vacate and $10,000 in relocation assistance. That assistance drew criticism from affected residents.
Longtime resident Kay Larsen, who has lived in Shady Acres for 30 years, told KUER that the relocation assistance will not cover the full cost of moving. Larsen estimated it would cost about $20,000 to relocate her double-wide home to places such as Price or Chester. She warned that abandoning the home would leave her starting over at age 79 and questioned whether she could sell the home if she moved.
Other residents said they were relieved by the 18-month timeline, which provides more time than some feared, but many urged the city and property owner to increase support.
Community context and next steps
Members of the public at the meeting described the current mall as an eyesore, using terms like "depressed" and "a fossil" to describe the failing retail center. Proponents of the plan argued that the partial demolition and new uses would revitalize the site and provide gathering space for the neighborhood.
- Vote on the project: 5-1 in favor
- Developer: Brixton Capital
- Relocation assistance for Shady Acres households: $10,000 and 18 months to vacate
The approved plan preserves major retailers while allowing for new residential units and public space. The long-term success of the project will depend on implementation details, market conditions and how the relocation requirements are executed for Shady Acres residents. As redevelopment moves forward, displaced households and city leaders will face decisions about housing options, financing and whether additional assistance will be provided.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Anchors to remain | Target, JCPenney, Cinemark |
| Outdoor gathering space | Approx. 2 acres |
| Relocation package | $10,000 per household; 18 months to vacate |
| Council vote | 5–1 in favor |
The council’s approval represents a pivotal decision for a large swath of Provo’s retail corridor, yet it also raises immediate questions about housing stability for residents of the displaced mobile home park. City officials, the developer and community advocates will need to address those questions as plans move from concept to construction.
