Spring officially begins on March 20 and we will soon be working in our yards, taking walks and noticing more of what is happening in our surroundings. With the unseasonably warm weather, more of our residents have been out and about and noticing the many new things that are happening in the city and in their neighborhoods. There are many projects springing forward right now and I would like to list just a few of them.

University of Utah: Mid-Valley Health Center (north of Fashion Place Mall) — this is a multi-phased project with a total of three proposed medical buildings. The first phase is home to the Dermatology and Ophthalmology (Moran Eye Center) departments. Their ribbon cutting was held on February 23.

IHC Cottonwood Clinic (T.O.S.H. campus) — construction has started for a structure to house additional physician offices and a pharmacy facility.

Fashion Place Mall — the new Dillard’s store is in final construction with an anticipated late summer opening. Further construction plans at Fashion Place include the announcement of a box-anchor tenant (to replace the current Dillard’s space) and the addition of 50,000 square feet of retail space. Announcement of the anchor store should be coming soon.

White Pine Dental (approximately 600 West on 5300 South) — property is in the framing phase for construction of a new dental office.

New Hillcrest Jr. High School — the school will be completed by May. Landscaping will begin soon and the campus will be ready for the start of school this fall. The existing Jr. High will be demolished in September or October. Currently there isn’t a decision as to the future use of that property.

New Murray School District Offices and Transportation Facilities (corner of Vine and Commerce Street) — construction is moving quickly and anticipated completion of the complex is fall of this year.

TNT (5669 S. Commerce) — the existing building on the property has been demolished and construction has begun for a 37,888-square-foot indoor skeet and shooting range. Anticipated completion date has not been announced.

Starbucks and Chipotle (north of Chick-fil-A) — demolition has begun for the existing buildings (note: some of the structure of the Freeze barn has been preserved for the Murray Museum). We are happy for these two new stores to be in Murray.

These are just a few of the more than 500 new business licenses issued this past year. We are excited for the addition of these beautiful buildings and for the progress taking place in continuing to make “Murray, a City Without Equal.”