TRAX station is courted — now

SANDY — Groaning under the weight of success, officials with Jordan Commons and Salt Lake County's South Towne Exposition Center say putting in a new TRAX station at 9400 South would alleviate a lot of traffic and parking issues.

The newfound consensus seems to be such a station would be a great idea, but questions remain: Who would pay for it? When would it be built? How would it affect another nearby station and traffic in the area?

The irony has not escaped UTA general manager John Inglish. Way back when TRAX was in its planning stages, a 9400 South station was offered and flatly turned down by Salt Lake County and representatives of Larry H. Miller, the man behind Jordan Commons.

"It simply wouldn't be this way had our advice been heeded at that time," Inglish said, recalling a meeting with Sandy, Salt Lake County and Larry H. Miller Group.

Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan recalls being at the meeting when UTA offered to put in the station. At the time, Inglish said, UTA had heard that Miller had plans to build a family entertainment center and the county had plans for the convention center.

Dolan added he was shocked when both Miller's people and Salt Lake County quickly rejected the offer.

"Frankly, we were turned down pretty flat, as I recall," Inglish said. Also at that time, county commissioners were generally cool on the idea of TRAX and there was the feeling that there were too many unknowns about light rail.

Years later, all parties, including UTA, say the area could desperately use a light rail station.

"They do need a station there, they seriously need one," Inglish said, but added that there are a variety of issues to be resolved, including funding, impact to nearby residents and parking.

"Right now we're trying to assess what the impact would be and what we can do with this area," said Sandy city spokesman Ryan Mecham.

Mecham said Sandy and UTA recently worked with Envision Utah to produce the first study for the station. Dolan said the neighborhood and surrounding area appears to be supportive of the station, but residents have expressed concern that too many cars would be crammed into the area. Dolan said many would like to see the stations used as a "kiss and ride" point, where TRAX riders are dropped off by others.