10 September 2007
Salt Lake Planning Commission
Attention Chair,
451 South State, Rm. 406,
P.O. Box 145480
SLC, UT 84114-5480
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing to express my dismay over the propose realignment of the light-rail route involving the construction of the viaduct on 600 West. Frankly I am surprised by this proposal which is costly, loses sight of the needs of West Side residents, and may negatively affect local businesses which are only now starting to thrive. Clearly the creation of a yet another physical barrier to the West Side will have a long lasting impact on the marketability of the neighborhood. As you surely know, access to transportation has a big impact upon neighborhood and the proposed 600 West would unfairly disadvantage a neighborhood that is only now rebounding after years of city and state disinvestment and neglect. Significantly, this could devastate the community well-being, trust, and the development of social capital that has been slowly, but surely, building over the past several years.
Commissioners, before making this decision, I would invite you to visit with community residents, advocate, and long-standing organizations, who deserve to have a say in this planning process as it will ultimately affect them the most. They deserve a place at the table to participate in local governance and decision-making. As you are our representatives, I would ask you to consider the appeals of your local constituents who are deeply invested in the neighborhood. This is a critical juncture in the West Side community and decisions such as these may change the course of the neighborhood, the community’s faith in local democratic planning processes, and the desire of residents to invest in their neighborhood.
As a community based researcher studying young people’s well-being growing up on the West Side, I implore you to take a much needed long term perspective and think through what the 600 West proposal could mean for the children of the West Side whose families have already suffered disproportionately from disinvestment, a history of poor planning decisions, redlining, crime, and a lack of opportunities. Why further isolate this community? I urge you to support the 400 West realignment which has potential to connect, rather then cut off, the community. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at 801 585 0437.
Sincerely,
Dr. Caitlin Cahill
Assistant Professor
Community Studies
September 11, 2007
Salt Lake Planning Commission
Attention: Chairperson
451 South State, Room 406
POB 145480
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5480
Re: TRAX Airport Alignment
Dear Planning Commission:
As the city grows there is definitely a need for TRAX to connect the airport to downtown SLC. 600 West is not downtown SLC, and is a residential area. 400 West is a much better option for many reasons, is already a commercial use and is much better suited for TRAX in the connection to downtown.
With various cities around the country moving to transit oriented development, 400 West is a perfect location to add transportation from the airport. It has all the commercial services and can connect to downtown, shopping, education, additional transportation… it just makes good sense!
In reading the various articles relating to the discussions with Boyer and the Gateway, 400 West IS the best location for access to Gateway. In my mind it will relieve some of the current traffic problems with everyone driving to the Gateway. The fact that Boyer gave a donation and now is trying to influence UTA also creates some ill will with the neighbors that are now being impacted with this potential decision as well as citizens that are not part of the neighborhood. This type of influence should not be tolerated.
600 West is a residential community and should certainly stay as one. Think about the impact that using 600 West will create:
Building a bridge would again separate the west side from downtown, which is what we have been trying to alleviate and create a community that adjoins downtown.
Having a huge viaduct above ground creates a very negative visual impact for the residential neighborhood. The North Temple viaduct already exists and should be used. A new viaduct would again invite transients to the area, which will remove the positive impact we have already created in the west side neighborhoods.
UTA says that the cost and timing is perhaps a bit better in using 600 West vs. 400 West. The fact is that if you use 600 West, you will significantly impact close to 500 residents negatively. Is this how you want to build your communities that have shown positive change and continued positive growth. The infrastructure is already at 400 West and it is the commercial area for development, not a growing west side residential area that does not want to find a further barrier in the future growth of the area.
Think of the traffic problems that will be created with the new development of condos at Citifront and the apartments on 600 West. There is far less impact on a commercial road than on a residential road with close to 500 residents on that road itself.
The fact that SLC had already committed to 400 West being a locally preferred route and then using the influence of a large developer to change their mind does not bode well with a community that has been creating positive growth and enhancing downtown residential living.
I believe that the Planning Commission should look towards the recommended acceptance of the 400 West route instead of the 600West realignment. It just makes sense from a business, financial, and community effort to provide the best solution to a growing city’s needs.
Sincerely,
Dale S. Nelson
Dale Smetana-Nelson
As a fairly new resident in Salt Lake City I can see where living on the West side definitely is the wrong side of the tracks. I was told by a Realtor when searching for a house that for resale purposes I needed to buy stay away from the west side. She was only doing her job looking out for my well being when I had to resell. What does that tell you about the west side.
It tells me the bias locals have against the other side of the tracks. How many of you even live on the west side and feel the impact of what you are trying to do? Having two viaducts in such close proximity seems like a disaster waiting to happen.
I live at City Front at the present time. There are several severely handicapped individuals who live here. Having a one way street for the emergency vehicles to access them has a major impact on the chance that one of them might die. One resident I know has had 3 heart attacks. A little boy had a severe asthma attack last week. Emergency vehicles having to make a tight turn because of a structure onto a one way street will slow them down when making seconds count. Have you considered that?
What about all the businesses that will be harmed when you do this? What about the high school kids who will have to transfer from the intermodol hub just to get to school in the morning when a station on the existing viaduct would let them just walk a half a block to 400 west?
Have you talked to the police and fire departments about the safety issues if you do this?
What good is the master plan if you keep changing it? How can investors plan of investing if you keep switching plans? Would you invest your hard earned money in a place where you couldn't trust the local government to keep their word?
Over and over I have heard how great it is to live in Utah, good honest hardworking folks with integrity who keep their word and work for the good of all. What good will this do the west side?
Sharon Tucker
Utah Housing Coalition
230 South 500 West, Suite 260
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
P: 801-364-0077
F: 801-596-2011
www.utahhousing.org
Promoting affordable housing to ensure healthy and stable communities.
The mission of the Utah Housing Coalition is to be the leader in housing issues and to promote the increase of accessible, affordable housing statewide. The issue of the plan to change the new TRAX route from the airport to 600 West harms affordable housing, which is becoming harder to find in Utah. The affected section of town has long been neglected, and finally is seeing positive development along North Temple and 600 West. The original route of TRAX to follow North Temple to 400 West would complement this development and allow it to continue. Over $30 million has been invested in revitalization programs that will be the first view of Salt Lake City for many visitors. The proposed change to 600 West will cause this investment to cease and will lead to more blight in the area.
Our organization is located at 230 South 500 West, so we are a part of this neighborhood as well. We are doing everything we can to help the West Side of Salt Lake City grow in a healthy manner, and changing the master plan is not helpful. Affordable housing is already been lost by the sale of mobile home parks, skyrocketing real estate costs, selling of the Single Room Occupancy (SRO) buildings, conversion of apartments to condos, issues at the Hartland Apartments, and the high influx of new residents to Salt Lake City. Changing the TRAX route to 600 West will add one more unnecessary item to the list of housing issues facing Salt Lake City in one of the few areas of the West Side currently making progress.
The Utah Housing Coalition strongly implores you to follow the Master Plan and keep the TRAX route on 400 West.
Tara Rollins
Tara Rollins
Executive Director
Utah Housing Coalition
September 11, 2007
Salt Lake Planning Commission
Attention: Chairperson
451 South State Street, Room 406
PO Box 145480
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5480
Dear Planning Commission:
It is my understanding that the future TRAX route from the airport to downtown Salt Lake City will be finalized soon. Accordingly, I would like to make sure that you are aware of my deep concerns regarding a route that follows 600 West.
First, the initial route for TRAX from the airport determined by Salt Lake City was 400 West. Considerable planning and decisions regarding development in the area have since been made because of this decision. To make a change when so many costly decisions have been made to improve the downtown area based on the original route decision for TRAX would undermine the effort to improve the city as a whole and especially thee west side of the city. Moreover, a 600 West TRAX route would require a large bridge that would unnecessarily separate the west side from downtown. Salt Lake City is a better city without barriers dividing neighborhoods. A bridge along 600 West would really create a visual barrier, as well and promote the gathering of transients in an area currently experiencing improvement in many ways.
There is also a growing new residential community along much of 600 West that would be negatively impacted with a bridge. 400 West is largely a commercial area, including, offices, the LDS Business College, the BYU Extension Campus and The Gateway Shops. The 400 West block between North and South Temple is functionally a Transit Oriented Development. Considering the social and demographic impact of the new route, 400 West is a far superior placement and the cost is materially the same for either location.
Please allow those on the west side of Salt Lake City the benefits I have outlined above and the reduced isolation from the rest of the city by locating the new TRAX line on 400 West, as originally planned. Also allow 600 West to continue its renaissance of
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Salt Lake Planning Commission
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residential growth and vitality. This will be in the best interests of all of Salt Lake City, its businesses and residents.
Sincerely,
Kevin Anderson