Clearfield hoping to move commuter rail station site

CLEARFIELD — Plans to help revitalize Clearfield by moving its proposed commuter rail station are tentatively moving forward.

City officials recently reviewed the final report of a marketing consultant hired to study revitalization opportunities and offer suggestions for future growth.

Three members of the Clearfield City Council voiced approval June 1 of the marketing plan, which recommended moving Clearfield's rail station one mile north and building a transit-oriented development across from City Hall.

Based on that approval, the city will begin negotiating with the Utah Transit Authority about a possible move of the station.

"I think we have pushed this long and hard," said Councilman Ivan Anderson, sitting with his back to a view of the recommended station site. "I think nothing good will come of having this south of us."

Cost of moving the station, including construction of a parking structure, are estimated at around $24.5 million, said Steve Meyer, UTA manager of commuter rail construction.

Before even considering whether to move the station, UTA needs a firm commitment on the money, Meyer said. The authority must also be assured that final federal approvals of the project are not impacted.

"I want a commitment now," Meyer said. "Why go through the effort to do (further) environmental work if you don't think you can come up with that kind of money."

He continued, "We can't put ourselves in a position to move forward with that financial burden that could hit the project. We have a site in Clearfield where we own the land, and there is a pretty minimum amount of work that I need to do to make that function."

The planned station — sixth along the planned Weber-County-to-Salt-Lake-City commute rail line — is on a 73-acre parcel about one mile from City Hall. UTA plans to use the site to store commuter trains overnight.

Clearfield officials and their marketing consultant, Economic Development Team, say the existing site will do nothing to revitalize Clear- field's image.

Commuter rail is an opportunity, they say, something that will be wasted at a site with little sur- rounding development. Over the past five years, the city has worked to redevelop the site where it wants to move the station. A new City Hall was constructed, and local stores were encouraged to revamp.