News
Media Inquiries
Muriel Xochimitl
muriel@xfactorutah.com
Cell: 385-225-6418
KUTV 2 | Utah's vision for air mobility by 2034 involves hailing an air taxi like it's an Uber
Imagine ordering an air taxi on your phone, just like an Uber, and picking it up at a “vertiport” — an air taxi hub not far from your home.
It may sound like something from “The Jetsons,” but Utah is seriously aiming to make this a reality by the 2034 Winter Olympics.
FOX13 | Why a Utah group is dedicated to preserving the chapel of a former prison
The Utah state prison at point of the mountain has been nearly completely demolished. All that is left standing is the prison’s chapel, a building prisoners actually rioted to achieve and developers are now working to preserve.
The Salt Lake Tribune | Trail of neglect: Could the big leagues along the Jordan River turn SLC into a ‘river city’?
What’s on deck that could transform how Utahns interact with the Jordan River? A pair of major developments, millions of dollars in city and state funding, and even a half-baked proposal for a new state park.
Salt Lake Business Journal | Nationwide search nets local Mike Ambre as The Point executive director
The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority board has announced the appointment of Mike Ambre as executive director of The Point, a 600-acre planned community at the former site of the Utah State Prison in southern Salt Lake County. The appointment follows a nationwide search.
Utah Business | Mike Ambre named The Point Executive Director
After an extensive nationwide search, the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (Land Authority) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Ambre as executive director for The Point. Ambre has a proven track record of exceptional leadership managing large-scale public projects. As the executive director, Ambre will oversee all aspects of the 600-acre development, ensuring it continues to reflect Utahns’ vision and values.
Utah Policy | Mike Ambre named The Point Executive Director
After an extensive nationwide search, the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (Land Authority) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Ambre as executive director for The Point. Ambre has a proven track record of exceptional leadership managing large-scale public projects. As the executive director, Ambre will oversee all aspects of the 600-acre development, ensuring it continues to reflect Utahns’ vision and values.
Tech Buzz | Mike Ambre Named The Point Executive Director
The Mountain State Land Authority has appointed Mike Ambre as executive director for The Point. Previously, Ambre served on the Land Authority board as the division director for the Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management.
Airports International | The Point picks NEXA for AAM studies
The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority in Utah has chosen NEXA Advisors to study the feasibility of advanced air mobility (AAM)
NEXA, an advisory firm in the aerospace industry, has been commissioned to conduct an in-depth study of the market demand, financial feasibility, regulatory framework and infrastructure needs for potential vertiports, air taxi service and drone deliveries at The Point.
Utah Business | The Point Selects NEXA Advisors to Study Air Taxis and Drone Delivery
The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (Land Authority) has announced the selection of a world-renowned team of experts, NEXA Advisors, to study the feasibility of advanced air mobility (AAM) at The Point.
Tech Buzz | The Point Selects NEXA Advisors to Study Air Taxis and Drone Delivery
The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority has announced it has selected NEXA Advisors (Mclean, VA), to study the feasibility of advanced air mobility (AAM) at The Point.
That’s something the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority wants to know.
KSL | Utah studying idea of drones, air taxis being part of old prison site
Major changes are already being planned for Utah’s old prison site at Point of the Mountain, but could those changes include drones and other “advanced air mobility” options?
That’s something the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority wants to know.
Salt Lake Business Journal | Matheson to leave his position running the show at The Point in Draper
The man who has spearheaded The Point, a major development involving 600 acres of state-owned land in Draper, is stepping down.
Alan Matheson, who has served as executive director of The Point since mid-2019, will leave to serve in a position managing land and water resources at Rio Tinto Kennecott, where he will lead a team to create and implement a strategy for the use of the company’s 90,000 acres of land and water rights in the Salt Lake area.
Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity | Podcast: Alan Matheson & Brandon Fugal — The Vision for The Point
In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Alan Matheson, executive director of Point of the Mountain State Land Authority, and Brandon Fugal, chairman of Colliers International.
Utah Policy | The Point launches nationwide search for executive director
The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (Land Authority) has announced a nationwide search for an executive director to oversee all aspects of development at The Point.
Utah Business | The Point launches nationwide search for executive director
The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (Land Authority) has announced a nationwide search for an executive director to oversee all aspects of development at The Point.
The Wall Street Journal | A Hot Jobs Market Is Fueling a Housing Boom Within Utah’s Silicon Slopes
The U.S.’s hottest job market in 2023 was Utah’s tech sector, nicknamed Silicon Slopes for its proximity to the Wasatch Mountain Range. Heavily concentrated in the state’s north region, startup and established tech companies run about 80 miles from Ogden to Provo, with Salt Lake City in the middle.
The Salt Lake Tribune | Utah loses its go-to guy on the massive Point of the Mountain redevelopment
Alan Matheson is jumping to Rio Tinto Kennecott, so The Point will need a new point person as the state’s largest public redevelopment project begins to build.
Silicon Slopes | The Future of Utah's Innovation District | Alan Matheson, Executive Director
Alan Matheson, the executive director of the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority, joins Clint Betts and Garrett Clark for this episode of the Silicon Slopes podcast.
Fast Company | These 6 urban design projects are helping make cities safer and more resilient
The urban design category of Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards honors landscapes, public spaces, initiatives, and policies that make cities cleaner, more efficient, more beautiful, and more equitable for their citizens.
KSL | Work begins on first phase of ‘The Point’ development at old prison site
Dirt is moving on the site of the old state prison in Draper. Work is now underway on phase one of the massive new development known as “The Point.”
Crews were working Friday to install natural gas lines around the 600-acre site. Within a few months, other infrastructure, including roads, water lines, and parks, will be installed.
Tech Buzz | Alan Matheson Named CEO of the Year by Utah Business
Utah Business has just named Alan Matheson, The Point executive director, CEO of the Year. This award honors CEOs who have led their organizations with strength, courage and endurance. Appointed in July 2019 by the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (Land Authority), Matheson has brought a wealth of experience to the most significant development in state history.
Utah Business | Alan Matheson Jr. 2024 CEO of the Year
Each year, we celebrate Utah’s most accomplished professionals—the CEOs who have led their organizations with strength, courage and endurance and have made it their mission to change the way we do business in Utah. Congratulations to this year’s honorees.
The Salt Lake Tribune | Utah Olympic organization secures 21,000 hotel rooms for Winter Games. Some are in Wyoming.
It may not have a second Olympics, yet, but at least the group organizing the push to bring the Winter Games back to Utah has a roof over its head. Maybe even a Red Roof.
The Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games has secured more than 85% of the 24,000 hotel rooms it is required to have on hand if it hosts the 2030 or 2034 Olympics. The hotels range from The Grand America to a four-room bed-and-breakfast. And the footprint spans as far south as Nephi and as far north as Logan.
Some rooms are even in Wyoming.
Deseret News | A lot of Utah hotel rooms are already booked for a 2034 Olympics — here’s why
More than 21,000 Utah hotel rooms are already booked for a 2034 Winter Games, including some that have yet to be built.
Even though the International Olympic Committee won’t make the final decision on a site for 2034 until July, the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games has been signing contracts with hotel properties along the Wasatch Front and beyond.
EDC Utah | Perspectives on The Point
Recognized as one of the most important economic opportunities in Utah’s history, The Point consists of 600 acres of state-owned land that is being built into Utah’s Innovation Community.
The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (Land Authority) and their private-sector master developer The Point Partners (comprised of partners Lincoln Property Company, Colmena Group, and Wadsworth Development Group) recently signed an agreement for Phase 1 development. The first 100 acres will include a walkable promenade; Central Green; regional trail connections; transit-oriented development; a balanced mix of jobs, housing, retail, shopping, entertainment; and more.
ABC4 | The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority is releasing their plans of new development
VIDEO: The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority is releasing details on their plans to develop an innovation community.
Deseret News | ‘The most significant quality-of-life opportunity for Utahns’: Why we are building The Point
The new year is an opportunity to reflect on past endeavors and establish goals for the future. As co-chairs of the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority, we have had the distinct honor and privilege to serve on the board overseeing redevelopment of the 600 acres of state-owned land in Draper known as The Point. As longtime Utahns who are raising our own families here, we are committed to ensuring this development benefits Utahns today and for many generations to come.
APA Utah News & Events | Utah Officials Unveil Key Design Details for New Suburban Neighborhood at The Point
An empty field and a historic chapel are now all that remain on the Draper site that was home to the Utah State Penitentiary for more than 70 years.
The now scrubbed-bare site is a blank screen where Utah’s federal, state and local government officials are projecting a vision of a thriving new urbanist, technology and research community.
Draper City Journal | Development agreement signed for The Point’s Phase One infrastructure will start this spring
The Point will start taking shape this spring after a development agreement was signed for Phase One. Leaders attribute that progress to fewer regulations in Utah allowing for innovation and people working collaboratively.
FOX 13 | Detailed plans show what's in store for first phase of The Point
The redevelopment of the area that was formally the site of the old Utah State Prison took a big step forward Monday with the signing of an agreement to bring a multi-billion dollar housing, office, shopping and entertainment venue to Draper.
ABC4 | The Point bringing over 3,000 homes and multi-use entertainment center in Phase 1
Redevelopment for the former site of the Utah State Prison is about to begin with the building of over 3,000 residential units, a multi-use entertainment center and more.
According to details released by the Point of Mountain State Land Authority (POMSLA), Phase 1 of the redevelopment will establish “the heart” of the new community at the point of the mountain.
Utah Business | Landmark redevelopment plans announced for The Point
The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (POMSLA) has released detailed plans for the first phase of redevelopment for The Point that reflect Utahns’ vision. For redevelopment efforts to start in earnest, POMSLA will sign a landmark agreement with its private-sector development partner, Innovation Point Partners.
Deseret News | Development on former prison grounds will ‘change lives,’ leaders say
On a site that for more than 70 years housed thousands of men and women in the custody and care of the Utah Department of Corrections, the innovative mixed-use development The Point has reached “a major milestone.”
KSL | Redevelopment plans announced for first phase of The Point at former state prison site
The Point aims to be a living-working community that will feature high walkability, with everything within a 15-minute walk from its heart, a river-to-mountain range trail accessible from the community, which will include retail, entertainment, innovation, educational, office and residential spaces all within approximately 600 acres, according to the plan’s framework.
Deseret News | Could a giant companion sculpture to the Statue of Liberty be coming to Utah?
Right now, it’s just an idea freshly arrived on the radar of state officials, but a plan to build a 300-foot statue at the former Draper state prison site, described as a companion piece to New York’s Statue of Liberty, has taken its first steps toward a potential home in Utah.
KUTV 2 | Strong reaction to proposal for 300-foot statue at old prison site in Draper
KUTV 2News broke the story this week that officials leading the development of the old prison site are considering building what’s called a “Statue of Responsibility.”
The statue is envisioned as a supplement to the east coast’s Statue of Liberty. Efforts to build it in California have failed, so now the group pushing it wants to try constructing it in Utah, somewhere on a 600-acre area known as The Point.
Deseret News | Social media, crisis centers and ... zoning? Gov. Cox is looking for solutions to mental health crisis
Gov. Spencer Cox is convinced Utah, and other Western states, can set an example for the country on how to tackle the mental health crisis.
In a gathering of Western governors Tuesday, Cox displayed his knowledge of mental health research and shared examples of what he saw as Utah putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to expanding options and improving mental health outcomes.
Draper City Journal | Materials, a historic chapel, and people are given second chances at The Point
Sustainable practices and second chances are happening at the site where the prison once stood.
The majority of the materials from the old prison have been recycled, the historic prison chapel has been saved, and some of the demolition workers are former inmates who’ve turned their lives around.
Media Releases
Mike Ambre Named The Point Executive Director
The Point Selects World-Renowned Team to Study Air Taxis and Drone Delivery
The Point Launches Nationwide Search for Executive Director
Nick Duerksen Named Land Development Director for The Point
Landmark Redevelopment Plans Announced for The Point
Final Demolition Efforts Signal New Beginning for The Point
Final Demolition Efforts Underway at The Point
Don Willie Named Director of Operations for The Point
The Point Phase I Development Plans to be Released
Old State Prison Demolition Ushers in New Chapter of Utah History
Utahns Invited to Attend Prison Demolition
Partner Announced for Most Significant Development in Utah History
Land Authority Seeks Development Partner to Build Utah’s Innovation Community
The Point and Rocky Mountain Power Sign Landmark Agreement for World-Class Sustainability
Officials Release Landmark Plan for Prison Site Redevelopment
Scott Cuthbertson Named Director of Operations for The Point
Officials Seek Public Input on Prison Site Redevelopment
The Point Selects World-Renowned Firm to Create Unprecedented Master Plan
The Point Takes Next Steps to Initiate Master Planning Process
Officials Launch Major Planning Efforts to Redevelop State Prison Site