Rethink North Temple plan

Timing, as the saying goes, is everything.

If the nation's economy were on sound footing, subsidizing improvements on North Temple, along the new TRAX line, probably would still pinch some property owners.

But with the economy sputtering, paying an assessment of $110 per square foot of North Temple frontage would bust the budgets of some businesses, which are suffering from the economic downturn but also from the disruption of light-rail construction and the destruction of the North Temple overpass.

If these property owners do not participate in the project, city officials say it will have to be smaller in scope and the city's contribution to the project will likewise be impacted.

While this project conceivably will improve property values along the corridor — 500 West to 2400 West — it is also understood that given current economic conditions, property owners would prefer to invest their money into their businesses or use it to simply make ends meet. Some 60 letters of protest were presented to Salt Lake City in mid-July, which could be a deal-killer for the assessment. That would mean "back to the drawing board" for the Salt Lake City Council.

Indeed, it would have been great to have all of the improvements envisioned by planners. But there seems to be a number of nonessential elements that the City Council could eliminate from the project, such as stamped and colored concrete near TRAX platforms, landscaping and high-efficiency LED street lights.

Perhaps planners could conceive of a less-expensive yet still innovative alternative that would tie together the corridor and encourage greater participation in funding it.

The improvements likely would raise property values along the TRAX line, but some who oppose the assessment say they are skeptical of the projections. Will the TRAX line truly be a boon to businesses along the corridor or will it primarily benefit commuters and people traveling to and from Salt Lake City International Airport?

These are legitimate questions. We hope the City Council can come up with some alternatives that are more affordable for property owners along North Temple or come up with a project with fewer bells and whistles.