Renovation begins on Magna Main Street

MAGNA — Historic Main Street in Magna is one step closer to a renovation that has been years in the making.

A groundbreaking ceremony held Tuesday launched phase two of the $1.3 million renovation project that will give the street a face lift. Construction will begin today in the unincorporated township to install new curbs, street lights, gutters, sidewalks, streetscaping and landscaping beside the street.

"It will make it more appealing and allow for transition for development of small businesses on Main Street," said Ed Hansen, Magna Chamber of Commerce vice president and longtime Magna resident.

Leon Berrett, Salt Lake County Public Works operations manager, said the people of Magna have wanted a renovation for years. Phase one of the renovation started last winter with the upgrading of storm drains and underground utilities.

"It's basically an ultimate makeover, what they call an 'extreme makeover,' " Berrett said.

During the 1970s, Main Street — located at 2700 South between about 8400 West and 9200 West — was a shopping hub, Hansen said. But the closure of the Kennecott mining company housing developments west of Magna shifted people out of the downtown area and it was natural for businesses to move.

Berrett said road improvements, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and new landscaping could entice more people to the area.

"We're really looking at an economic stimulus as our main goal," Berrett said.

Phase three of the renovation will involve economic development and helping new businesses in the area.

Hansen said the Magna Ethnic and Mining Museum, which is housed at 8138 Danbury Drive, may move to the old J.C. Penney Co. building on Main Street. He said J.C. Penney was a key anchor on the street until the store moved to the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City.

"We feel we can move this museum along here and make it a real focal point on the street," Hansen said.

Hansen said he would like to see Magna's library move to its own building on Main Street across from the old J.C. Penney building, creating a cultural and education center for the town.

During phase two, scheduled to end Oct. 5, the street will be restricted to westbound traffic — but the string of businesses and museums just off the sidewalk on Main Street will remain open during construction.

"It's just a good old downtown with just a Mayberry feel to it," Berrett said.

The renovation plan will include architecture and landscaping reflecting Main Street's history.

"I think it's great," Hansen said of the renovation. "History is always rich and it's good for our youth to understand what the history is and how it developed."

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E-mail: nclemens@desnews.com