Park City and Deer Valley eye public-private partnership for Snow Park

Snow Park Base Transformation rendereing Photo: Deer Valley Resort.

Deer Valley will pay $15 million towards the creation of a regionally significant transportation and parking facility. These funds may also be used for affordable housing in connection with that facility.

PARK CITY, Utah — In a recent development, Park City and Deer Valley have outlined a proposal for a public-private partnership aimed at supporting the Snow Park Village redevelopment and related infrastructure improvements. The proposal, still under consideration and pending City Council approval, revolves around a series of measures designed to enhance transportation, parking, and housing facilities in the area.

Key elements of the proposed partnership include:

Deer Valley will pay $15 million towards the creation of a regionally significant transportation and parking facility. These funds may also be used for affordable housing in connection with that facility. A Management Committee will provide stewardship and fund oversight.
- As partners, the City and Deer Valley commit to secure additional public and private partners to maximize the level of investment and scale of benefit.
Deer Valley will return to the Park City Planning Commission to seek approval of an updated Master Plan Development (MPD) application and final Subdivision Plat(s) that include, but are not limited to, the following transportation and parking mitigation measures:
- Integration of Deer Valley’s lift infrastructure with U.S. Highway 40 to distribute resort access more efficiently across the mountain, thereby reducing crowding at key entry points and diverting some of the traffic and parking away from Park City.
  - Deer Valley will create a network of gondolas to connect the Mayflower base area to Snow Park Village.
  - To support the expanded gondola network, Deer Valley will seek to expand maintenance facilities at Silver Lake.
  - Deer Valley will also expand restaurant/skier services at Silver Lake.
Deer Valley will build required affordable housing (at least 67.1 Affordable Unit Equivalents) within Park City limits and with immediate proximity to public transit.
Establishment of a Public Infrastructure District (PID) to enable Deer Valley to invest in public infrastructure at the project site following MPD approval— including roads, intersections, crosswalks, transit, parking structure, utilities and public pathways.
Park City will vacate the requested right of way on Deer Valley Drive in accordance with the terms and conditions above upon approval of the MPD by the Planning Commission.
- A reduction in day skier parking by 20% compared to existing conditions. The hotel, residential, dining, retail, and entertainment parking spaces will be prohibited for day skier parking. Deer Valley will also implement a paid parking plan to distribute arrivals and departures more efficiently.
- A new public transit center at Deer Valley. Plans for the new transit center will be reviewed by the Planning Commission in conjunction with the updated MPD application and final traffic circulation plan.
- Ensure access to Doe Pass Road for emergency, utility, and public vehicles, with maintenance responsibilities retained by Deer Valley.
- Construction mitigation plans will maintain public access to Deer Valley Drive and minimize off-site hauling and construction traffic.

Further analysis and review by the Planning Commission is anticipated as part of the MPD process. This initiative represents a significant step towards advancing this project through a collaborative effort between public and private sectors.