Heading Off a Resort Referendum

When anti-growth activists threatened to wage a referendum petition drive to stop the proposed 1,800-acre Deer Valley ski resort in Park City, Utah, the United Park City Mines Company contacted GCA to win political and community support for the project. GCA launched a vigorous anti-petition campaign, a public opinion poll and a sophisticated strategic outreach plan. A strong citizens’ advocacy group, “Park City Citizens for Local Control,” was quickly organized to support the proposed development, now part of Deer Valley and Empire Canyon. The results: Faced with an aggressive, well-organized response, anti-growth activists abandoned their “Just Say No” position and sat down at the bargaining table with the developer to negotiate a deal. The client avoided an expensive and divisive referendum showdown and won City Council approval to annex land for new ski runs, a hotel, retail and recreational facilities, and 500 single-family and multi-family homes.

GCA’s projects are successful projects. Check out www.deervalley.com