Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion provided an update to the Vernal City Council on Wednesday regarding the Lamplighter property and upcoming public engagement opportunities. In February of this year, Vernal City announced the successful negotiation to purchase the Lamplighter Inn property at 120 East Main Street largely utilizing a federal grant awarded to Uintah County in 2022, in partnership with Vernal City. The acquisition was pursued due to necessary environmental clean-up needed on the property with a vision to transform the property into a public gathering space as part of revitalizing downtown. Bennion reported last night that the planning firm the City is working with will have concept plans ready for review in the coming weeks and a public online survey will be released around August 20th. A booth will also be set up during the Dinah SOAR Days festivities to further welcome public engagement. When asked about the timeline on the project, Bennion shared that the U-shaped motel is being prepped for demolition this winter and an EPA grant is being applied for to help with the other phases. Once the concept for the property is approved, it will be a 4 to 5 year process to complete.
