Centerville residents lambaste streetcars
Mar 04, 2010 269 views 3 
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If built, the system proposed to run along Main Street here would wreck the city’s quality of life, cost too much and create a safety hazard, worried residents said.
Robyn Mecham, a third-generation Centerville resident said she’s visited about 100 homes scattered throughout the city, and found only five residents who didn’t object to the plan. “The other 95 totally oppose it,” she said.
Utah Transit Authority held an open house at Centerville Junior High School to explain the streetcar project and gather input and suggestions for a draft Environmental Study Report.
The plan calls for the streetcar line to run from the intermodal hub in downtown Salt Lake City, along Beck Street to U.S. 89 to Bountiful’s Main Street, ending at Main and Center Streets in Centerville, with a bus connection taking commuters into Farmington Station.
UTA spokesperson Gerry Carpenter said they were pleased with the turnout. Noting the strong opposition to the plan, Carpenter said it’s not a done deal. “It’s never a done deal until the tracks are in the ground and the trains are running.”
Centerville resident Scott Collins said the price tag of about $400 million is “nuts. I’d like UTA to tell us how much per person that works out to.”
Bruce Smith presented a petition containing nearly 1,000 names to UTA, all in opposition to the plan, with more names to come.
He said residents are opposed to the plan for a variety of reasons, including the fact that Main Street was chosen as the street. “UTA is understandably in the business of building transit, but we are in the business of building community.”
Bruce Pitt, a businessman with two properties on Main Street, said he’s presenting a separate petition to UTA on behalf of Main Street businesses.
He said of 20 plus businesses on Main Street, 90 percent of them are opposed to having the streetcar located there.
He and others have placed signs in front of their businesses voicing their opposition.
He said business owners believe having the streetcar run down Main Street will only ruin the businesses located here.
Main Street resident Rebekah Pierce said she’s concerned about the noise generated by the streetcar. However, more important to her, is safety and security issues.
“There are lots of little children in the area, including my kids who use the crosswalk across Main Street to get to school,” she said, adding, “even with a crossing guard accidents can happen.” She also is concerned about the 25 mph proposed speed limit. “Twenty-five miles per hour is too fast.”
Citing problems at TRAX stops, Pierce said she’s concerned for the security of the neighborhood, as people wait to get on or exit the streetcars.
UTA and environmental activists have said that a streetcar down Main Street will help in creating a walkable community.
“I’d like to see Main Street developed into a walkable community, but the trains won’t take me to Dick’s or to Target. I don’t see how it will help me,” Pierce said.
Cami Layton said UTA needs to improve what they currently do, increasing bus service during the morning and evening commute. “We want the resources we have to be used more responsibly.”
She said many in Centerville are unhappy with the city’s elected officials. “They’re not representing us.”
There were few people at the open house who favored the plan.
But Bountiful resident Eric Fenton was among those.
He cited the ease of use for the streetcar system, believing it will bring more people into downtown Bountiful to shop.
Carpenter said comments made Tuesday night will be included in the draft ESR for consideration, adding, “It’s critical we have community support for federal funding.”
mwilliams@davisclipper.com
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