Council backs 2 TRAX stations near Gateway

Over the objections of The Gateway, the Salt Lake City Council approved two light rail stations near the downtown mall.

The council supported two stations Thursday while eyeing future development adjacent to the mall, and in doing so, frustrated Roger Boyer, Jake Boyer and Kem Gardner, developers of The Gateway.

"It is essential that this neighborhood is served the best transit system that they can build here," Councilman Soren Simonsen said. "I have complete confidence that The Gateway will not be harmed in any way." But Roger Boyer said that he — not the City Council — knows what's best for his development.

"Maybe they're more wise than we are about our project," Boyer said. "If Gateway is not successful, then no development around Gateway will be successful."

TRAX will extend between its current terminus at South Temple and 400 West and the Intermodal Hub at 600 West and 200 South, with two stations at 125 S. 400 West and 525 W. 200 South. The motion for two stations passed with a 5-2 vote, with Councilmen Dave Buhler and Eric Jergensen supporting one station.

Boyer objects to the station at 125 S. 400 West because it will hamper left-turn access to a parking garage, a serious restriction for the mall because its visitors almost exclusively arrive in cars. Council members unanimously supported having the mayor's staff members work with Boyer and Gardner to improve the Gateway's parking garage during and after the light rail construction.

Boyer said that 65 percent of the traffic to that summer parking garage on 400 West comes from the south, and the mall risks losing customers if it becomes too difficult to park. The action left Gardner doubting reassurances from the council about its consideration for Gateway.

"They certainly mouthed the platitudes that they are" concerned, Gardner said. "I don't want to say they don't want to help us, but it's hard for us to see how blocking the left-turn lane into the parking structure" supports the mall.

There is the possibility that in constructing the station Gateway can keep a left-turn lane into its summer parking garage, but constructing that lane could take away sidewalk space and street parking on the east side of the street by the Dakota condominium building.

Similarly, the station could shift westward, eliminate parking on the west side of 400 West and allow more room for the left-turn lane and traffic lanes on the east side of the street. The city and the Utah Transit Authority will have to decide which scenario they prefer before designers can begin drafting plans, said Tim Harpst, the city's transportation director.