Orem eyesores may topple soon

OREM — Drivers zooming down 800 North in Orem are faced with a stark contradiction.

The south side of the bustling city street, which acts as a gateway to Provo Canyon, boasts white picket fences, tidy rose bushes and manicured lawns.

The north side is not faring so well. More than two dozen houses have been abandoned along the heavily traveled route, creating something of a shantytown.

The landlord?

Utah's Department of Transportation, which has been buying up the houses since October 2003 to make way for widening 800 North from 400 West to 1100 East.

UDOT estimates that by 2030, Orem's population will increase by 33 percent, and traffic is expected to increase by about 50 percent to 100 percent on 800 North. The thoroughfare's widening is expected to cost some $49 million.

"I'm really glad to see them finally widen 800 (North)," said Greg Brown, who lives on the north side of the street.

"It really needs it," he said.

"There's too much traffic now. It backs clear up to my house from Main Street every day."

Residents on the north side of 800 North told the Deseret Morning News that UDOT informed them about the project four years ago, allowing them plenty of time to find new houses and relocate.

"We've been trying to communicate with the residents and businesses in this area since 2002 in one form or another, so they've been able to stay up to date on what's going on," said Geoff Dupaix, a UDOT public involvement coordinator. "We take communication with the public very seriously."

It's that communication, according to residents, that has kept the project from turning into a difficult place for them to live — even with the row of unsightly properties lining the street.

"Obviously, it's not fun to move, but they have tried really hard to be helpful," said Linda Cowburn, whose family owns a hair salon located on the north side of the street and has lived there for the past 35 years. "(UDOT) has been really, really nice. Since we've known it was going to happen for a long time, it's not that bad. We've been expecting it for so long, it's almost a relief that it's finally happening."