Comments about ‘Rethink North Temple plan’

This assessment is really an investment for the property owners along this dreary stretch. It could make the area more attractive for future investment. But too many live for the moment and care nothing about investing in the future. By the way, I don't really have a dog in this fight. Just my observations.

If the property owners along North Temple have a counter-proposal that would do many of the same things, for a better price, the city would listen. But I haven't heard anything like this, except for the Larsen lady that just likes to gripe about how they're taxing her to death.

Many of the businesses could use a dust-up to improve the image of North Temple, and it WILL improve traffic. Look at 400 South after Trax went in. Traffic increased, ridership brought new people to the area and the businesses popped up everywhere. For the new TRAX line, the airport and downtown are not the only locations, the Fairpark is located down there as well. Diamond Lil's & the Red Iguana are semi-destinations that people frequent, and TRAX will only help that. Plus the amount of workers that work near the airport that may jump off one train for breakfast and back on later. There are possibilities. It would be better if the city could handle more of the burden up front, then bill the property owners later, as the economy improves.

I agree with StanFunky. I understand that businesses everywhere are struggling, and for some, this may break them. But frankly, this is shortsightedness on the part of the North Temple businesses. That area has been an eyesore for many years, and while the amount that UDOT/SLC are asking is a lot, the businesses have the most to gain. They are the first businesses that would stand to gain increased business from people going into Salt Lake from the airport. People on long layovers would be more inclined to stop, if the area were improved. But, if I were a visitor from out-of-state, I wouldn't stop in that area. I'm a resident of Utah, and I don't even like going there, but I would probably go more often if it were improved.

These businesses have really struck a blow to themselves. Their property values would have gone up, their business would have increased, and ultimately the investment would have paid off. I too hope they put together a counter-offer, and that this isn't just a flat rejection.

How about cutting a couple of the salaries for the CEO & his chronies to pay for it?

What some people may not realize is that the assessment was not going to be billed until after construction was completed in 2013.

So the property owners would have had the extra features in place for probably at least 18 months before they had to pay for them.

They would have had the increased property values and increased visitors because of the upgrades, which means increased revenue long before they had to pay for it.

Yet, they complained. They wanted the upgrades now without having to pay for it. All the other areas paid for the upgrades and saw the increases in business and value.

The biggest problem with North Temple is the land bankers. They only want the increase but don't want to pay anything for it. They feel it is their right to get stuff for free.

Is there any way that this could be built in phases? As business improves for these property owners, they can in turn invest something into the project and eventually the project becomes what was intended to be in the first place.

Build the airport TRAX branch as cheaply as possible. It's value in adding to the utility of the rest of the TRAX network will not be diminished. If the business owners don't think they can afford a Cadillac facility, honor their wishes.

Has everyone forgotten what light rail did to Main Street businesses? KILLED THEM. (I for one STILL avoid Main Street. It is congested and a nightmare to drive on.)

So while everyone says, "They don't have to pay for them until after they are finished," and "It will increase business," that is all well and good, but right now construction is hurting those businesses and it will be some time before some of them recover.

In my humble opionion, go visit main street. You admit it avoid it, but then claim Trax is killing the businesses. Yes some businesses fail, but others are doing good given the economy. Businesses fail for a number of reasons, but most failures have to do with poor business plans and inability to change with the economic conditions. Go see for yourself. And do us a favor, park the car and walk. It takes all of 25 minutes to walk from 400 South to South Temple.

During construction of any venue businesses are usually impacted greatly. They lose much of their business due to construction. So in a sense, they already pay to be part of the good that all will benefit after the completion of the project. That's why I'm wondering if the project can be built in phases to allow these businesses a chance revive the business they once had. As business improves beyond that then these business have something to offer. How can these business be expected to have anything to contribute to the project when there is no money coming in for them to be able to contribute? Maybe funding needs to be expanded to come from more places than just these businesses. I do hope they go forward with the project and that eventually it will contain all they have hoped it to be, but find a way to do this without causing these businesses to go out of business in the process.

No, it cannot be built in phases. It is better to do all of the work at one time, so they are only facing the construction impacts once. If you do the line first, then come back to do the improvements, then they have to deal with construction impacts twice.

Trax is important to SLC and the continued growth and development of that city intrastructure as a whole. But, cost considerations versus ability to recoup cost must be considered in any project. Currently, I believe every mass transit idea that has been funded by both the state tazpayer and county/cities is a loser as far as making $$$ to sustain itself. The question in my mind is when does this turn around and is this so valuable to the community that we have to do it now?

There are two separate, only partially related items that several people seem to be getting confused about. The first is the construction of the light rail line to the airport. The second is the beautification of the North Temple corridor.

Construction of these two projects comes from two separate entities, and two separate budgets. They just happen to be taking place at the same time because (miracle of miracles!) both agencies are coordinating with each other.

The light rail project will look pretty much the same no matter what Salt Lake City and the local property owners decide. The only reason for the street upgrades is to make North Temple prettier. It could certainly use it, but if the property owners don't want to pay for the deluxe model, then Salt Lake needs to settle for the economy solution.

If Salt Lake is embarassed that the airport TRAX traffic will see a less-than-flattering picture of the city as they ride down North Temple, then they need to consider how much of an upgrade they are willing to pay for. But don't count on the local property owners. They've already said they don't care.