.Westown Shopping Center Prepares for Major Construction in West Valley

March 1966 marked a major turning point in the development of one of Utah’s most ambitious retail projects: the Westown Shopping Center. Located at 3500 South and 4000 West, this new shopping destination was poised to become the finest and largest of its kind in the state.

Leon “Pete” Harman, president of Harman Enterprises, announced the reorganization and strengthening of the development company, 35–40 Inc., with new stakeholders and leadership joining the effort. Notable additions included the Mark B. Garff, Ryberg and Garff Construction Company, and the Okland Construction Company, both of which purchased stock in the company and signed on to build the massive project.

The updated leadership team included:

Leon "Pete" Harman, President, Harman Enterprises, Inc.
Jack Okland, President, Okland Construction Company, Executive Vice President
Eric Ryberg Jr., Partner, Ryberg and Garff Construction Company, Vice President
Arch D. Coats, Executive VP, Midwest Realty and Finance Inc., Secretary
Parley J. Jacobsen, Comptroller, Harman Enterprises, Inc., Board Member

Pete Harman expressed enthusiasm for the strengthened team, stating the new partners brought exceptional construction ability and vision to help create a landmark center for Utah.

Plans for Westown called for more than 40 acres of commercial development and an expansive 567,600 square feet of retail space. The center would provide parking for nearly 3,500 cars, making it highly accessible for shoppers throughout the Salt Lake Valley.

The anchor tenants for the center were to include:

A one-story, 121,000 sq. ft. department store
A three-story, 137,000 sq. ft. department store
A 24,750 sq. ft. variety store
A 177,500 sq. ft. collection of small retail shops
A 25,500 sq. ft. supermarket
A 5,000 sq. ft. tire, battery, and accessories store
A café, food court, and other service offerings

Access to the shopping center would be provided from both 3500 South and 4000 West, creating convenient entry points for east-west and north-south traffic. At the time of the March announcement, land clearing was already underway, including the removal of residential homes along 3500 South. Drainage infrastructure had also been completed in anticipation of major construction beginning soon.

The development team had already secured lease agreements with several major tenants, including Woolco and the Auerbach Company, and reported that over 82% of retail space was already under negotiation or lease.

The March 1966 announcement represented not just the start of a major construction project, but the realization of a grand vision for West Valley City’s commercial future. The Westown Shopping Center promised to be a transformative destination for retail, dining, and community gathering—an ambitious project backed by Utah’s most experienced developers.

1966: Westown Power: Part 5