Magna renovation starting new phase

Salt Lake County is ready to move on to the next step in its $1.3 million project to give Magna's downtown a new look.

After decades of talking about it, the county has begun giving the unincorporated township's historic Main Street a makeover. Phase 1 started last winter and included an upgrade of the storm drains and underground utilities.

County Mayor Peter Corroon, the County Council and representatives from the Magna Chamber of Commerce will kick off the second phase of the construction Tuesday at 11 a.m. at 8950 W. 2700 South.

Phase 2 will bring an improved street design and new curb, gutter, sidewalk and street lights through most of the project area, according to a news release from the county.

Magna's Main Street, 2700 South between about 8400 West and 9200 West, was a major shopping hub in the 1970s, according to Magna Chamber of Commerce vice president and longtime resident Ed Hansen. But he said that when the Kennecott mining company did away with its housing developments to the west of Magna, business dwindled.

Add to that the growing popularity of shopping malls, strip malls and big-box stores in more central parts of the valley and it's small wonder Magna's mom-and-pop shops have been struggling to get by.

Now, they hope the street's face-lift will bring back the golden days of Magna as a shopping destination for west-side residents eager for a shopping experience in a place with a historic, small-town feel.

Magna's Main Street features a string of businesses, museums and other buildings fronting the street, just off the sidewalk, free of the acres of parking lots other Salt Lake Valley cities are famous for — and in many cases are trying to get rid of.

The plan will ultimately include the creation of a specific architectural and landscaping look to reflect Main Street's history.

Housing will round out the project by playing a larger role in the downtown revitalization.

The entire project, being designed by J.U.B. Engineers of Kaysville and built with the contracted work of Miller Paving in Murray, is expected to be finished in October.

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