A long-vacant stretch of downtown Springville that locals know as Allen's Block is suddenly the hottest topic on Main Street. Clyde Companies quietly bought the empty block, put up fencing, and started early cleanup work. Now the developer is asking neighbors what should rise in its place, a move that could reshape the south end of Main Street into housing, shops, or a civic gathering spot.
Developer seeks public input
Local reporting shows Clyde Companies is coordinating with Springville and Provo officials on broader Main Street efforts while collecting ideas specifically for Allen’s Block. The firm, working through an entity called Springville Rising, has launched an online feedback page where residents can submit suggestions, according to KUTV.
What the buyer says
Clyde Companies President and CEO Jeremy Hafen has framed the purchase as a hometown investment, saying, "We live in this community, we care about this community, and we are excited to give back to this community." The block, which the company plans to brand as "4th and Main," is already ringed with temporary fencing and is slated for asbestos mitigation and demolition as part of an initial cleanup phase. Company officials say they are looking for a long-term plan that respects the site's history and culture, according to the Daily Herald.
Site history and planning context
Public records place the property inside Springville's Main Street South Gateway (MSSG) zoning district and show that Allen's Block has been on the city's planning radar for years. A public meeting record lists a commercial site plan review for a mixed-use project on the former Allen's Block, illustrating how downtown zoning rules have shaped earlier proposals, according to Utah Public Meeting Notices.
Neighbors weigh in
Even before any renderings are rolled out, residents are tossing out ideas online, suggesting everything from a small performance plaza to local-first food and arts spaces. One commenter argued against filling the block with chain stores, writing, "No franchise-type places." The discussion has folded into Springville's arts identity, as the nearby Springville Museum of Art hosts the 54th Annual Utah All-State High School Art Show this season, according to the Springville Museum of Art.
What happens next
Clyde Companies has fenced off the block and says it will handle remediation work before any major construction begins. The developer is gathering public input through the online feedback page while it weighs options for the site. City review and permits will still be required before demolition or new construction can move ahead, and both developers and city staff say this early outreach phase could take months before it turns into formal plans, per KUTV.
