Santaquin encourages quaint look

SANTAQUIN — A peek into Santaquin's future could reveal a quaint downtown with a tree-lined Main Street including planters, carriage lights and benches along the sidewalk.

Awnings and drinking fountains would also encourage pedestrians to shop in the new walkable business district.

"I'd like to see it cozy and quaint," said Valerie Butler, who chairs an ad hoc committee looking into recommending new standards for Main Street businesses.

Officials appeared upbeat about the preliminary plans at a recent City Council meeting.

City leaders want to upgrade the town's main thoroughfare to encourage more business. New shops could be required to use masonry materials on half the front of their buildings, either stone, brick or stucco. The committee also favors monument-style business signs, Butler said.

Other changes could include residential apartments on second floors along the street. The committee considered recommending a parking garage to serve the street's few stores.

"We talked about it, but we didn't come up with anything," Butler said.

Mayor LaDue Scovill suggested that parking behind the stores would encourage pedestrian use and shopping.

Main Street between Center Street and 300 West is under the city redevelopment agency's control as part of an effort to encourage business owners to improve their shops and get rid of blight. RDAs have the power to grant business owners a property tax break over a period of several years with businesses expected to use the savings to enhance their businesses.

The Main Street beautification project spans the entire street and will use grants to fund some of the work, Scovill said.

"Main Street needs some help," Councilman Shane Durrant acknowledged.

While the city wants to encourage upgrades, property owners may complain about the standards and restrictions improving the street could bring, he said.

"I hope whatever we do it's timeless," Councilman Wes Morgan said. "Let's not be so restrictive that we keep businesses from coming in."

---

E-MAIL: rodger@desnews.com