W. Jordan road plan spurs lawsuit threat
La Mar Coon, owner of 21st Century Business Park, told the City Council in a letter Tuesday that he was considering a lawsuit because a proposal to close New Bingham Highway between 5600 West and 6400 West would cost him and other business owners millions in property devaluation.
"I'm going to have to sue them if they don't shape up," he said in an interview. "It's ridiculous."
Coon and 17 other business owners, including Kennecott Utah Copper, oppose a city proposal to close part of the highway to ease the flow of traffic in West Jordan. Coon owns about 78 acres along the segment of the highway that would be closed, if the plan is approved. Traffic would be diverted to a future extension of 9000 South, and to 6400 West and Dannon Way.
Coon said his property is worth as much as $16 million, but without the highway nearby, his property would be worth only about $11 million.
"That's the appreciation West Jordan is showing us after bringing in about $250 million worth of quality businesses," Coon said. "We have been very patient out there, and West Jordan has given us nothing but headaches."
Larry Bunkall, assistant director of government and public affairs for Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation, also attended the council meeting to express his company's concerns. He said New Bingham Highway is critical to the mine because it is the only state-approved route to transport haulage truck components.
Tom Burdett, West Jordan's community-development director, said the closure of the highway segment would not occur until at least 2016, when the extension of 9000 South is complete. The 9000 South extension will be a large-capacity road, with seven lanes of traffic to control the flow of traffic, Burdett said. The road could accommodate Kennecott's large truck parts.
Mayor David Newton declined to comment Wednesday on any lawsuit threat. He said he will talk with state highway officials about the Bingham Highway's future within the next few weeks.
"I have questions about the closure as well," he said.
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