Welcome to Lehi, a city that blends pioneer heritage with 21st-century growth. Established in 1850, Lehi is one of the oldest and fastest-growing cities in Utah. Tucked between Salt Lake City and Provo, it has evolved from farmland to Silicon Slopes.

In this City Spotlight episode, we take you behind the scenes with Kim Struthers, Lehi City’s Community Development Director, who has served the city for nearly 29 years to explore how what you see on the roads, in the neighborhoods, and on the trail maps is the result of decades of planning. From multi-billion-dollar tech investments and massive developments to transit-focused communities and conserved trails, this conversation uncovers how Lehi is thoughtfully balancing rapid growth with its historic roots.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

1. Road Expansion & Traffic Management

• Mountain View Corridor freeway extension from SR‑73 through Lehi toward Redwood Road is underway, easing commuting pressures

• Flex lanes on Pioneer Crossing will adapt lane direction between peak hours to improve traffic flow—as part of a $77 million UDOT plan expected to conclude by 2027

2. Tech Growth & Residential Expansion

• Texas Instruments is investing $11 billion in a semiconductor plant expansion, creating around 800 high-tech jobs in Lehi .

• D.R. Horton’s Inverness is a 2,400-unit master-planned community under development near TI, complete with a future temple site and integrated trails and parks.

3. Mixed-Use Developments

• The Skyview West project spans 100 acres along Timpanogos Highway, combining commercial, office, mixed-use housing, and fitness facilities

4. Open Space & Trails

• 900 acres on Traverse Mountain have been permanently conserved, ensuring public access and wildlife protection.

  Trails now connect Lehi to Traverse Mountain, Draper, and the Murdoch Canal Trail with multi-use paths and mountain bike routes.

5. Transit-Oriented Development

• The FrontRunner station area at Thanksgiving Point will feature 2,000+ new homes, offices, and retail, surrounding future transit hubs .

• Lehi is also exploring transit options along the old rail corridor near Cabela’s and participating in the Fresh Look Transit Study for regional connectivity

6. Schools & Lot Size Diversity

• Collaboration with Alpine School District ensures school sites are reserved in growing communities like Inverness and west Lehi.

• Zoning maintains a variety of lot sizes, preserving areas with half-acre or larger lots to maintain community diversity.

7. Civic Buildings & Downtown Preservation

• Lehi’s new City Hall, library, and police station feature historically inspired architecture reminiscent of the pioneer-era tabernacle

• The historic Main Street district remains central to civic identity and heritage.

Lehi isn’t just growing it’s evolving with purpose. From trail systems that connect communities to transit-ready developments that reduce car dependency, every project is part of a bigger vision. As Kim reminded us, city planning is more than maps and permits it’s about shaping places where people want to live, work, and stay. Whether you're new to the area or a lifelong resident, Lehi's next chapter is one worth paying attention to.

Learn More About Lehi:

Website: https://www.lehi-ut.gov/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lehi_city/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lehicity

When you think about a "port", you probably imagine shipping containers and oceanfront cities. Not Utah. But that is exactly what makes the Utah Inland Port such a powerful and surprising development.

In this episode of the Utah Real Estate Podcast, we sat down with Ben Hart, Executive Director of the Utah Inland Port Authority, to help explain what the inland port is, why it matters, and how it could affect nearly every Utahn whether you are a homeowner, business owner, or just someone waiting on a delivery.

What is the Utah Inland Port?

The Utah Inland Port isn’t a single building or a warehouse. It’s a network of infrastructure projects across the state rail, road, and air systems designed to make it easier and more cost-effective to move goods in and out of Utah.

As Ben explained, most of what we use each day from clothes to furniture to construction materials has to come from somewhere else. Utah doesn’t have direct access to the coast, so we rely heavily on trucking. That means more traffic, slower deliveries, and higher shipping costs.

The port authority’s mission is to upgrade that system. “We’re trying to build smarter ways to ship,” Ben said. “That means strengthening air cargo, expanding rail, and investing in the infrastructure that helps businesses grow while easing the burden on our roads.”Why It Matters to Everyone

You don’t have to be in the shipping industry to feel the effects. For most Utahns, the benefits will show up in simple ways: fewer trucks on the freeway, quicker shipping times, and less pollution.

Projects like the new rail hub in Cedar City are already reducing highway traffic. “They used to send thousands of trucks up to Salt Lake,” Ben shared. “Now, with direct rail access, they can ship more efficiently saving time, money, and emissions.”

And for rural communities, the benefits are even more direct. In Garland, Utah, a partnership with the port helped bring in a $50 million investment and 500 new jobs through a company called Lakeshore Learning. These kinds of wins create ripple effects new income, housing demand, and long-term growth.Small Business, Big Impact

While the port helps large companies move freight, it also opens doors for smaller businesses looking to scale. Ben pointed out that many local manufacturers already supply major companies like Boeing but need better access to national and global markets.

“Once these businesses realize they can export globally without leaving Utah, it changes the game,”

What About the Environment?

Naturally, a project of this scale raises environmental concerns especially regarding the Great Salt Lake. But Ben emphasized that protecting Utah’s natural resources is part of the plan.

In the last year alone, the Port Authority directed $2.5 million to preserve sensitive wetland areas. It has also committed to working only with low water-use industries near the lake and has implemented strict protections in places like Weber County.

“We’re not here to build at all costs,” Ben said. “We’re here to grow responsibly, and that means preserving the land we depend on.”Looking Ahead

According to Ben, what excites him most is the long-term, generational impact of the work being done. The Port Authority is currently active in 15 counties, with project areas stretching from Cedar City to Price. The goal is to create a more efficient, more resilient economy for Utah’s future.

“If we do this right, people may not even notice,” he said. “They’ll just get packages faster, spend less on shipping, breathe cleaner air, and have access to better jobs. And that’s a win.”

Learn More:

Utah Inland Port Authority
http://inlandportauthority.utah.gov

Ben Hart – Executive Director Bio
http://inlandportauthority.utah.gov/leadership

Connect with Us:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/utahrealestatepodcast
Facebook: http://facebook.com/utahrealestatepodcast
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/utah-real-estate-podcast

What if your empty garage, RV pad, or unused driveway could start paying your utilities—or even replace your side hustle? In this episode of the Utah Real Estate Podcast, hosts Steph Shoell and the Silver Dollar Man sit down with Joseph Woodbury, Co-Founder and CEO of Neighbor, a platform that's redefining passive income through storage and parking rentals.

Neighbor empowers homeowners, businesses, and even major REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) to turn underutilized space into steady income—without the stress of traditional rentals. Joseph shares how everyday Utahns (and folks across all 50 states) are generating anywhere from $100 a month to six-figure incomes with almost no effort.

We discuss:

• What types of spaces are in highest demand (hint: garages + RV pads!)

• How one Utah teacher is making $10K a year passively

• The insurance and legal protections Neighbor provides

• The concept of full property monetization

• The surprising social impact of renting to your neighbors

Whether you’re a homeowner with a spare garage, a landlord looking to double your cash flow, or just someone curious about new ways to earn without lifting a finger—Neighbor might be your next big move. Learn more & start hosting at: neighbor.com/host
Joseph Woodbury – CEO of Neighbor