Vernal City is excited to announce the successful acquisition of the Lamplighter Inn property at 120 E Main Street in downtown Vernal. The acquisition is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to implement the Downtown Plan, a community-driven vision. The approximately 4-acre property, situated in the center of Vernal, across from the Uintah County Public Complex, has remained mostly vacant over the years and fallen into disrepair due to a lack of investment. Following years of public input, negotiations with the property owners, and careful evaluation of various options, Vernal City Council successfully negotiated the purchase of the property for public use to support the revitalization of downtown. Reaching this agreement means that the pending condemnation proceedings will cease, and the court petition will be withdrawn. After much deliberation, the negotiated price was accepted as it fell below the midpoint of the property owner’s appraisal and the City’s appraisal and offered the significant advantage of avoiding the condemnation process, which would have incurred substantial legal fees and resulted in lasting property restrictions. The majority of the acquisition cost will be covered by a federal grant awarded in 2022 to Uintah County, in partnership with Vernal City. With this acquisition complete, the City is well-positioned to pursue further grants to fund the necessary clean-up and construction efforts to complete the community’s vision of developing this property into a multi-seasonal public gathering space. More than 1,000 residents participated in shaping the Downtown Plan, which included utilizing this property as a public town square. The property will be designed to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors by serving as a public gathering space to host community festivals, events, and activities. The City has secured the Terracon/MHTN team to facilitate the planning process, which will include more opportunities for public engagement. The planning process will start immediately. Community members are encouraged to get involved, share their ideas, and help shape the future of this downtown town square. “Vernal City looks forward to community involvement in this exciting project to revitalize our downtown,” said Mayor Doug Hammond. “The purchase of the Lamplighter Inn property is in response to years of resident requests to clean up this part of downtown. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the community and downtown businesses to create a plan for the future use of the site.” The site’s revitalization will address long-standing concerns about blight and will contribute to the economic vitality and sustainability of downtown Vernal. The current tenants within the hotel which include a salon, restaurant, and the Hotel Haunt will be able to remain in business during the planning and design processes. The planning process, financing, environmental remediation, redevelopment, and construction is anticipated to occur over the next five years. For more information on the Downtown Plan, visit www.vernal.gov.
