From Deseret News archives:

Site of rail station debated

Clearfield residents are invited to offer input at meetings

Published: Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005 10:17 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
CLEARFIELD — The proposal to move the city's commuter rail station is playing out in the mayoral race, but it is an issue that transcends politics.

Residents can learn more about the station at a pair of informational meetings planned in the coming weeks.

On Thursday, officials will gather input about the design and location of the station in a meeting scheduled from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the city offices. A second meeting will be held Dec. 1.

Over the past year, Clearfield officials have worked with a consultant to determine whether the station should be moved downtown. At present, the Utah Transit Authority is planning to build the station on a 70-acre site near 1000 East and State Street.

Officials who support moving the station — including Clearfield Mayor Tom Waggoner — say greater economic development can occur if the station is located downtown. The station can be a destination point, they say, helping to draw people into Clearfield from around the region: Clinton, Sunset, Syracuse and West Point.

Story continues below
But moving the station may prove costly. Steve Meyer, UTA manager of commuter rail construction, estimates it will cost the city $24.5 million to move the station from its present site. The cost includes expenses to build a parking structure.

During the October primary elections, mayoral candidate Mark R. Shepherd criticized Waggoner for wanting to move the station, asserting the cost is too great for benefits not yet proved.

Shepherd beat Waggoner in the primary election by a mere 18 votes, allowing him to move on to the general election to face candidate Dan W. Phelps.

Phelps says he is open to moving the commuter rail station, but only if it is based on economics that pan out.

Despite his loss, Waggoner is waging a write-in campaign to retain his post. He says moving the station will help Clearfield revitalize its downtown and spur development.


E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

Montana had its coldest October in 30 years.

Utes' Wynn in for awakening

Wynne impressed me against TCU. Hopefully he did learn from the game and...

Her album arrived today via Amazon. A diverse medley of songs, it truly...

Y.'s Hall, U.'s Dale earn accolades

Want to talk BCS? Are you serious? With who? It's 2009... Utah or BYU...

Utah, BYU are top choices

It would be nice too see three teams THRASH BYU back to back thus year. If...

Utah Jazz: Okur feeling better

What are the teams gonna do when jazz get healthy? I like this lineup dwill,...

The truth is that many people who harbor ill feelings toward the LDS church...

Correction: town hall meetings

Did Matheson really reach 100,000 voters, or were there duplications in the...

Jazz players react to RSL title

Obviously the NBA would never go to a format that would decide a game based...

First of all being a Osmond fan of many many years, then to know him and his...

Advertisements