The Cottonwood Paper Mill, a historical structure with over a century of history, is caught in the crosshairs of a demolition debate as the current owners claim that it is both dangerous and financially unfeasible to restore. Despite the engineers' reports deeming the building "structurally unsalvageable," some residents and preservation advocates argue that the building still holds potential for reuse and revitalization. According to ABC4, the Cottonwood Heights Planning Commission has been urged to explore alternative options, such as finding preservation partners or donors to save the historic site.
At a recent public meeting, voices from the community strongly opposed the complete demolition of the mill, which has served not only as a paper-making facility but also as a dance hall, craft store, and haunted house throughout its lifetime. "I want to see it reused and revitalized so it can be part of the community," Robyn Taylor-Granada with the Historic Properties Program told ABC4. She strongly believes that the building can still be an active part of the community rather than merely a memory.
Community member Kyle Richards echoed this sentiment to KUTV, saying, "There is a good use for this, and it’s not to demolish it." Richards, along with others, argues that the right investment and vision could breathe new life into the property. Proposed earlier plans to develop the site into condominiums sparked concerns over the loss of such an integral part of local heritage.
The debate has also highlighted the mill as an attractive nuisance, drawing trespassers and fueling safety concerns. Dan Hammer, an attorney representing property owner Doug Shelby, expressed in a statement to KUTV, "It’s dangerous. It’s an attraction. It’s structurally unsound. It’s more expensive than we can bear to make it safe." Hammer also shared a personal anecdote, revealing that he, too, had trespassed at the mill during his high school years.
The fate of the Cottonwood Paper Mill is still up in the air, with the planning commission delaying its decision for another meeting on March 4, as reported by ABC4. Despite the property owners' claim that they've tried to maintain the building, devastated by natural disasters decades ago, they now feel compelled to request its demolition. Nevertheless, as the planning commission and city council have yet to give their final approval, residents like Taylor-Granada remain hopeful. She insisted to FOX 13, "I believe they can come to a solution that requires a path forward that doesn’t include demolition."
