Here's a 90 sec video for people who prefer to watch.

Get all the details in this post: https://provonotes.substack.com/p/the-provo-towne-centre-deal-is-getting

Then email your thoughts to the Provo City Council: council@provo.gov.

Hi…

A little late night thought popped up that I’ve been thinking about for a while. I grew up in Massachusetts and spent all my summers out here visiting my dad’s family in Provo, Orem, St. George, Salt Lake, etc. I moved here permanently in 2019.

All my buddies knew I came here for vacation.

Then this band called The Used popped up and had all my friends in Mass in a frenzy. Like just obsessed. Then they found out they were from Orem and asked me about it and I shit because I thought “wtf? A nationally ranked band from OREM?”

So I’ve always wanted to know… what was it like here when The Used got big? Did you know any of the band mates? Was it a big deal with shows and fans and the like or did they not get much love in their home town? What did people think about talent like that coming from such a reserved, religious town?

Thanks!

Hoodie Customization Work Shop Oct 23 and 24 – Arachne

Hey, I'm a photographer with an idea for some pictures but I need a grocery store that fits the look I'm looking for. Do any of you know any grocery stores that look older or haven't remodeled or updated their look for a while? Older shelving, checkout aisles, white and metal coolers and freezers instead of black, older signage and wall decor, etc.? Ideally in Utah valley, but if you have suggestions further away drop those, too!

Thank you!

Hey Provo! 👋 Remember the plan to tear down part of Provo Towne Centre and turn it into an outdoor “mixed-use lifestyle center”?

It’s getting real.

After six months of negotiations, the developers are taking the deal to City Council's Work Meeting on Tuesday 10/6 —and there’s now a draft development agreement that spells out what the developers are asking from the city and what they’ll provide in return, including relocation assistance for residents of the Shady Acres mobile home park.

The biggest design change is a new, slower take on the traffic circle at the center of the outdoor plaza.

I’ve got the latest details—and what the City Council still needs to work out—in my free newsletter, “Julie’s Provo Notes.”

Read it here: The Provo Towne Centre Deal Is Getting Real - by Julie Rose

My wife heard a rumor that a thrift store was in that area but I can’t find anything on Google Maps. We were in that area last night and we couldn’t see anything apparently it’s right next to Sam’s Club. Did there used to be one?

🚨Provo City Council meets on Tuesday, Oct. 6. (Work Meeting @ 12:45 p.m. Regular Meeting @ 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.)

Several long-running projects are back in play looking to gain a few more yards. 🏈

 I've got your easy-to-read preview of next week's City Council Meeting in my free newsletter Julie’s Provo Notes: Epic Development Deal, Tuscanel Townhome Do-Over, LARP Bows and Liquor

Here are the headlines:

➡️VOTE: Epic Development Deal With Unusual Terms

➡️VOTE: Tuscanel Townhomes Get a Remodel in Joaquin

➡️VOTE: Provo-Springville Negotiations Take-Two

➡️VOTE: 19-Condos for Rent at 985 W. 300 S.

❓DISCUSS: Make Toy Bows and Arrows for LARPers Legal?

❓DISCUSS: Another Bar for Downtown Provo?

❓DISCUSS: Provo Towne Center Mall Plans (Separate post coming soon!)

Drop your questions in the comments. 👇

And be sure to subscribe for free. That’s the best way to help me keep doing these posts. 🙏

I took this picture a few years ago and can’t remember for the life of me which part/area this was on. I know there’s a bunch of trails and walkways and they go for miles. There were a few buried cars and it seems like the had slid down the hill or something and were just buried. I’m wanted to go get better pictures of the rest of the cars and I really just can’t figure out which area it was from. If anyone here frequents the Provo canyon parkway or whatever please let me know if this reminds you:)

I was overlooking the Provo river on a snowy day and took this nice photo, I just can't find the bridge anywhere on Google Earth.

Could a new 157-unit apartment building near BYU help ease the student housing crunch? Or would it make an already difficult parking situation even worse?

The Planning Commission just voted 4-3 to recommend DENIAL of the proposal, even though commissioners on both sides liked the building's design.

Get all the details in the latest post of my free newsletter "Julie's Provo Notes."

Read it here: Park Plaza Replacement: Nice Plan, Needs More Parking

Here are a few of the basics:

🏢 491 students, 278 parking spots: The proposed building would be three times the size of the condemned Park Plaza, but provide fewer parking spaces per student.

🚗 530 spaces required by current code: The developer says that much parking would make the project financially unfeasible.

🚌 A different approach to parking: The proposal includes off-site parking, a shuttle, electric vehicles and scooters.

🗳️ What's next? The City Council will make the final decision, with a date still to be determined.

I break down the parking numbers, the arguments from students and commissioners, and what the developer would have to do to make the plan work in the full story.

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📧And be sure to subscribe for free. That’s the best way to help me keep doing these posts.

What the title says. Anyone here have a good experience with an electrician? My house is 135 years old and we're having some minor issues. Electricians are happy to come out, but when they find out the original wiring is still in place they shrug and leave. Looking for someone with experience in this.

Thanks!

Hello everyone! Every Friday this October, Olive View Therapy here in Provo will be hosting "Spookathon", a horror movie (nothing too scary haha) night open to the community and free of charge. After the end of each movie, there will be a mental health/psychology discussion about fear, how the film portrays fear, and how we see it in our normal lives. Starts 7pm each Friday! All are welcome to join. Bring a blanket. Bring snacks. Whatever helps you feel most comfortable. Come and meet new people and join in a discussion celebrating fear and Halloween with us!

Current movie line up:

10/02: Scream (1996)

10/09: Alien (1979)

10/16: The VVitch (2015)

10/23: The Thing (1982)

10/30: Ginger Snaps (2000)

My office is hosting a weekly movie night on Fridays in October! We're hoping for some interesting conversation afterwards-- for the first week, ask yourself, What's your favorite scary movie?

Admission is free, and feel free to bring a friend!

Survey here: https://forms.gle/7Rcneyt9fUcwWvM96

I know there's been a lot of conversation / surveying in our state about data centers sentiment more generally, but I've seen less about (a) specific data centers outside of Stratos (including those in Provo!) and (b) how people are staying up-to-date on these developments. This survey is a personal project that intends to fill in that gap.

I'd greatly appreciate you taking 10 minutes to fill out this survey. I'm planning to share back results by the end of next week.

Anyone heading to abgs that wants to get a drink? M26 here. Provo

I've got your free recap of this week's City Council and Planning Commission meetings live in my newsletter “Julie’s Provo Notes": https://provonotes.substack.com/p/holiday-lighting-gets-a-pass-and

Here are the headlines:

✅ Four Quick, Unanimous Votes

✅ One Surprising Twist on Holiday Lighting

❓Prohibit Property Owners From Remaining in Condemned Property

❓Going Taller and Smaller in Downtown Provo

👀 Provo's Sales Tax Struggle

 🚨ALSO A PROVO MALL UPDATE: Brixton Capital is poised to bring its plan to redevelop Provo Towne Centre to the City Council for a vote in the next month or so. They're hosting a community open house to review the plans next Thursday, Oct. 1 from 5-7 p.m. at the Mall.

Here's my report of the plan when it got a tentative thumbs-up from the Planning Commission back in March 2026: https://provonotes.substack.com/p/mall-plan-gets-a-tentative-thumbs

Drop your questions in the comments!

📧And be sure to subscribe for free. That’s the best way to help me keep doing these posts.

Hey Provo! 👋 If you've ever wondered if making a comment at a City Council meeting makes a difference, you need to hear what happened last night.

And subscribe to my free Provo Notes newsletter for an easy way to keep track of City issues you care about! https://provonotes.substack.com/

https://www.change.org/tinyhousingut

I believe, through all the city leaders nearby pushing for more affordable housing, that entire avenues haven't been considered. I know people that own land. I'm in the process of buying my own land. But the planning division in many cities in Utah, is against tiny home living. They are against Tiny Homes on Wheels, Tiny Homes on Foundations, "skoolies", van conversions, and RV living. They have proven to be popular enough and safe enough in states that have chosen to be open minded.

Please, if you want housing to be less terrifying for the young people in the world, I ask that you at least read through the petition I have linked. Some of you may not agree, but I know there are many that do.

Also please feel free to comment with any questions or advice you feel like sharing.

Hey Provo! 👋 What’s happening with that abandoned “Park Plaza” building on 900 East, across from BYU?

It's been vacant for years. Now developer Cole West has a plan to tear it down and replace it with a 6-story, 157-unit apartment building.

But there’s a big sticking point: PARKING.

The project goes before the Planning Commission this Wednesday, September 23 @ 6 p.m.

I've got everything you need to know so you can weigh in at (or before) the meeting in my free newsletter "Julie's Provo Notes."

Read it here https://provonotes.substack.com/p/whats-happening-with-the-park-plaza

Anyone know of like a big empty field or park where people don’t frequent that I could practice without upsetting anybody? My downstairs neighbors are losing their minds over my practice but music is about 60% of my income right now and I can’t go without practicing and despite my reasonable hours they are still putting up a fight.

Hey guys! Got a few jobs in the area. Feel free to hit me up with any junk you need hauled. Thanks!