Wade R. Budge is a land use and real estate lawyer with significant experience advising developers and owners in all aspects of real estate development. He has negotiated entitlements for master planned communities, industrials projects, retail centers, office buildings, subdivisions and mountain resorts throughout Utah. He also regularly represents clients in the use, acquisition, and disposition of real estate projects throughout the western United States. Wade has advised developers in obtaining public incentives and using public finance tools, including tax increment financing, to facilitate new and redevelopment projects and regularly advises clients with government relations matters involving state and local governments. Wade has negotiated public-private partnerships with dozens of local governments and with every one of the state's principal development agencies, including the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority and the Military Installation Development Authority.
Negotiated the acquisition of the largest Utah master-planned community, a community that is located on over 4,000 acres and is entitled for 20,000 residential units
Negotiated and obtained entitlements from the local municipality and state entities for the creation of the primary project area within the Inland Port
Led disposition team on the sale of multiple automotive dealerships across eight Western states in connection with a multi-billion-dollar transaction
Negotiated and obtained entitlements for the construction of a world-class, year-round action sports facility, with associated snow sports, lifts, and action sports infrastructure located in Park City, Utah
Led the team to acquire an over 250-acre site and establish a partnership to develop a mixed-use community along the shores of Utah Lake and adjacent to a new commuter rail train station
Negotiated and represented seller on an approximately $40,000,000 transaction to sell over 1,300 acres of undeveloped open space land located between two major ski areas and three resorts for use as a public and private year round recreational area
Acted as lead counsel in representing one of the largest nationwide automotive groups in acquiring and developing dealership properties and portfolio in eight states
Advised and represented developer/owner of a significant, multi-billion dollar retail, housing, and office project on obtaining entitlements and agreements for development from local regulating authorities
Represented property owners and sports teams in drafting zoning ordinances and associated development approvals for professional sports arenas, practice facilities and stadiums in multiple cities along the Wasatch front
Negotiated increment incentive agreement for retail business locating a new, approximately $90,000,000 business complex in a growing Wasatch front city
Advised multi-family developer on multiple projects involving tax increment financing to support affordable housing projects
Represented world renowned ski resort in obtaining permits and approvals required for an extension of resort area boundaries into significant ski terrain and associated development
Negotiated entitlements and ski resort use and access rights in connection with multiple hotel and condominium projects with local governments on behalf of developers
Represented developer of a 1,300 unit master planned community and commercial area in obtaining entitlements in Summit County, including negotiating affordable housing, public amenities and community benefits
Represented owner of Utah’s premier golf community in negotiating with governmental entity for approvals for development from local, state and federal regulators
Represented multiple developer and property owners on lobbying Utah legislature regarding laws affecting retail center operators, public financing, real estate transactions and development
Represented school developers and both public and private schools in entitling new school sites within residential neighborhoods
Advised and represented financial institutions on sales of many hundreds of millions of dollars of real estate owned through foreclosure or deed in lieu negotiations
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D.)