The University of Utah and the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) formalized ahistorical land transfer agreement on Monday, Aug. 19. The transfer highlights the state’s and the U’s dedication to military support.
The USAR forces at Fort Douglas will move to a new development at the National Guard training site Camp W.G. Williams in Bluffdale, leaving the deed of the 50 acres on the eastern side of campus to the U.
Shawn Fuellenbach, the Utah Army National Guard’s assistant adjutant general, said the relocation would not have been possible without state funding.
“As far as the land transfer, it’s really a land purchase,” Fuellenbach said.
The Utah Legislature granted the U $100 million to develop the new USAR headquarters at Camp Williams. This land deal makes Utah the only state to subsidize a military relocation like this.
The Utah Army Reserve Ambassador Robert Breck said the funding will support all parties involved.
“The deal was made with $117 million from the state to fund not only building the facility and purchasing the land but ensuring a smooth transition from the armories that are leaving Fort Douglas to the University of Utah taking over and doing with it what they need to do,” Breck said.
The new facilities at Camp Williams will offer more modern infrastructure with room for expansion compared to the current Douglas Army Reserve Center. It is set to open in the spring of 2026.
Breck said that while Fort Douglas is a historical and meaningful site for many people, the new space and location will benefit USAR.
“We’re going to have more classroom space, we’re going to have more storage space,” Breck said. “it’s just going to be, for the Army Reserve soldier, a better place to conduct more realistic training because it’s not a confined space.”
Breck said USAR already uses Camp Williams for some unit training, and the relocation will eliminate the need for travel.
Fort Douglas was originally 10,525 acres when it was developed in the late 19th century. Over time, the U has received 1,534 acres of the previous fort property. This has allowed for the development of U of U Health Hospital and Clinics, the Natural History Museum of Utah, Red Butte Garden and more.
The University of Utah Communications Specialist Matilyn Mortensen wrote that these new 50 acres will be used for health science research, student housing and recreational space.
Fuellenbach said the transfer highlights the state’s understanding of the significance of these institutions.
“That’s really the big message here is, is the support they provided, realizing the importance of supporting the military here,” Fuellenbach said. “And then they recognize that Fort Douglas property is vital to the University of Utah in their growth.”
