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Mormon Utah businessman to buy 500 more acres in Vermont for utopia community

This farm in Sharon, Vermont, was bought by the NewVistas Foundation of Utah, which is planning a large-scale development based on the writings of Mormonism founder Joseph Smith, who was born in Sharon. (Lisa Rathke/The Associated Press)
An obelisk marks the birthplace of Mormonism founder Joseph Smith in Sharon, Vermont (Lisa Rathke/The Associated Press)
Concerned residents attend a March public meeting in Tunbridge, Vermont, on a Utah businessman's plans for a large-scale development based on the writings of Mormon leader Joseph Smith. (Lisa Rathke/The Associated Press)
A statue of Mormonism founder Joseph Smith stands inside the visitor's center at Smith's birthplace in Sharon, Vermont. (Lisa Rathke/The Associated Press)
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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
April 30, 2016 - 2:10 pm
 

SHARON, Vt. — A Mormon Utah businessman who wants to build a massive, futuristic, utopia-like community in central Vermont says he’s about to buy 500 more acres of land for the project, bringing his total to about 1,400 acres.

David Hall’s development plans include housing for 20,000 people, offices, gardens, 48 basketball courts and 48 Olympic-size swimming pools.

The communities are modeled after Joseph Smith’s 1833 plans for the city of Zion. Hall has said the communities wouldn’t be religiously exclusive.

Vermont Public Radio reports that Hall would have more than a quarter of the 5,000 acres of land he says he needs if the purchase is finalized.

Hall says he had to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase more land, despite spending more than he had planned this year.

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