Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan announces new State Capitol to be built in Sandy

Mayor Tom Dolan wanted Utah’s professional soccer stadium. Then he wanted Utah’s first Broadway-style theater. Now he wants Utah’s State Capitol?

In a news conference over the weekend, Sandy’s four-term mayor announced that beginning 2012, construction will begin on a new Utah State Capitol in an undetermined location in downtown Sandy. “As all Utah residents are aware, Sandy is quickly becoming Utah’s largest and most politically influential city. We’re building the Real Soccer Stadium. We have Jordan Commons, Utah’s largest and classiest entertainment complex. If all goes to plan, we’ll build a Broadway-style theater long before Ralph and his brother Billy even draw up blueprints. Doesn’t it make sense that Sandy should also have Utah’s State Capitol?”

Dolan briefly laid out plans for the State Capitol, which currently sits on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City, to be demolished by 2009. The land on which the current Capitol now sits would be sold to commercial realtors, with retailers such as Mervyn’s expressing interest. The new State Capitol in Sandy, which would replace the current 92-year old Capitol, would be twice as large as the existing Capitol, and would feature a minimum of seven domes.

While Sandy residents were ecstatic to learn the news, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker had a different opinion. “Salt Lake City has been home to the State Capitol for nearly a century, and several million dollars were recently spent on renovations. If Tom thinks he’s taking the Capitol away from us, he can answer to this.” Mayor Becker then proceeded to put up his dukes. Governor Hunstman, when asked for his opinion, simply stated “Hey, it’s cool by me. I’m running with McCain for veep, so I have other issues on my mind at the moment.”

Mayor Dolan would neither confirm nor deny the rumors that the new Capitol would display a 16-foot statue of Mayor Dolan holding a soccer ball.

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