West Valley Center Enters a New Era: Redevelopment and Appraisals in 1988

1988 – Redevelopment and Appraisals at the West Valley Center

Just a few years after the West Valley Center (formerly Granger Shopping Center) received its facelift and name change, the city of West Valley began planning further redevelopment. In 1988, the City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, approved a $15,000 payment to appraiser William R. Lang to determine the value of several businesses at the Market Street Shopping Center, which was located across 2700 West from Valley Fair Mall. The properties to be appraised included Goodyear, Standard Optical, Barnes Boots, Rupp Dance Studios, dental offices, Spa Fitness Center, Haney’s Furniture, Thriftown, Clothes Hamper, Children’s Playhouse, Taco Time, Andres, the Red Feather, Zions Bank, Hammond Toys, and Weight Watchers. The appraisal report was scheduled for delivery to the Redevelopment Agency the following month.

The redevelopment plan envisioned new retail stores and smaller shops, with the south five acres of the Market Street center reserved for the construction of the new West Valley City Hall and the northern seven acres for commercial development. The City Council also approved an agreement with American Savings & Loan, located at 2727 W. 3500 South, allowing the financial institution to maintain ownership of its property while keeping it as a “first-class office building” with well-maintained landscaping and exterior improvements. American Savings agreed to withdraw any objections to the redevelopment plan, and the Redevelopment Agency agreed not to exercise eminent domain on the property without the owner’s written permission during the seven-year statutory period in which condemnation powers could be used.

This period marked another stage in the ongoing evolution of the West Valley commercial corridor, blending long-standing businesses with plans for new development and civic infrastructure.