Planner Doug Dansie said an extra station would cost the city an additional $800,000, which isn't much given the extension's $35 million price tag, which will be funded by federal, state and city dollars. Rio Grande Community Council President Bill Davis said it would be "extremely short-sighted" for the city to base its decision on the expense of an extra station.

But UTA says cost is a factor. After all, it will have to fund the operation of an additional station, which is estimated at $150,000 annually, spokesman Justin Jones said. Moreover, it's already estimated that a ride from the intermodal hub to the TRAX City Center station on Main Street will take five minutes, even with one stop. Adding more time to that ride will decrease ridership, UTA maintains.

City planners disagree and say future high-density development in the area will require a stop on 400 West near 100 South. They maintain an extra stop will only increase riders.

Boyer and others, however, don't understand that logic since the area near 100 South is already developed around the Delta Center and most new development will happen west of there — an area that will be served by the one-stop scenario.

City planners have suggested Boyer's concerns are born out of a desire not to lose parking revenues, which could decrease if two stops are approved.

"Should Salt Lake City hamper development opportunities and limit transit access to the area to bolster Gateway's parking revenues?" a planning report to the commission asks.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com