Kevin Costner to build film studio in southern Utah, St. George mayor announces during address

Kevin Costner to build film studio in southern Utah, St. George mayor announces during address.

A developer in southern Utah and actor Kevin Costner are teaming up to build a film studio valued at over $40 million to St. George.

The most significant development to come out of St. George Mayor Michele Randall's State of the City speech to the audience on Tuesday at the Dixie Convention Center is that.

A local title firm partner, Macrae Heppler, made the following pledge in a video played during the event: "It's going to be a massive, massive addition to the performing arts industry here in St. George."

The Hollywood actor and filmmaker is collaborating with Brett Burgess, president of Development Solutions Group, Inc., to establish Territory Film Studios on a 500-acre industrial complex close to St. George Regional Airport. A total of 152,750 square feet will be dedicated to two sound studios, an office building, and a production warehouse for set design. The studio's strategy also includes providing public tours.

Burgess is unsure of many of the specifics yet, but it will also feature a restaurant with a "Costner-themed" that will cater.

Following the mayor's comments, Burgess told The Salt Lake Tribune, "That's kind of Kevin's passion."

Costner was so frustrated last year trying to locate a warehouse to film some interior shots for "Horizon: An American Saga" that he became interested in constructing a studio. An estimated $90 million was invested in the St. George economy by the four-part series, which would portray the settlement of the West during the Civil War era. The cast and crew of the show numbered over 400.

According to Joyce Kelly, sales manager for the Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office, who assisted Costner in looking for potential filming locations in southern Utah for the series, "Horizon is the largest film production that's ever been filmed in Utah."

Costner, by all accounts, fell in love with St. George and indicated interest in establishing a studio there. When Burgess was called in by Greater Zion officials to help Costner locate a temporary location for filming some inside shots, he entered the picture.

The studio, according to tourism officials, will be yet another shining star in the economic community of southern Utah. Kelly added that it is desperately needed.

"There are 4,000 students enrolled in film schools across Utah, and there isn't much of a reason for them to stay here," she stated. After graduating, our pupils are forced to find other employment. With any luck, our students can now graduate and go on to work on further movies at the company. Importantly, the film industry really pays a wage that allows families to survive.

The studio is anticipated to begin construction in the fall of next year.

Upcoming Events.

Although Territory Studios was the main event during the mayor's speech, it wasn't the only one. A premium movie theater and bowling alley are two of the other upcoming attractions that city officials highlighted, but they didn't elaborate on. They will be constructed close to Desert Color, a sizable master-planned community that is situated just off the Southern Parkway.

Randall and Heppler also hinted at other ventures along the parkway, such as Intermountain Desert Color Parkway Emergency Services, a hospital facility that Intermountain Healthcare plans to build on 30 acres approximately one mile east of Interstate 15.

A Utah Tech University west campus and related innovation district are also planned for the airport region. These will be built on 183 acres the university has already acquired with money provided by the Legislature.

Randall raved about the upcoming opening of Strap Tank, a well-known brewpub that will be situated someplace off Dixie Drive, closer to downtown. In addition, she gave an update on the new $45 million city hall project, which is now being built at 61 S. Main Street.

The population of St. George has increased from 13,000 in 1980, when the current city hall was constructed, to approximately 100,000 now.

Randall declared, "Pure and simple, we've outgrown it." "This new building comes with a public parking structure, a lovely plaza, and 4,300 square feet of civic space in addition to giving us adequate space to properly conduct city business today and in the future.”

pressing harder on Dixie

Over the years, "Dixie" has become a well-known namesake in St. George, but it has also generated controversy. The region was dubbed "Utah's Dixie" by early settlers who were dispatched by pioneer leader Brigham Young to establish a cotton mission because of its warm climate, which reminded them of the American South.

Some lifelong citizens fiercely opposed the name change of Dixie State University to Utah Tech in July 2022. The word "Dixie" conjured up thoughts of the Confederacy and white supremacist, according to many who support the change. Opponents countered that the name "Dixie" paid homage to the region's history