Bountiful residents oppose streetcars
by Tom Busselberg
BOUNTIFUL — Not everyone in Bountiful is waving the flag in favor of streetcars or commuter/light rail.
“Bountiful Against Rail” comprises a group of residents who have hit the pavement this week. They’re informing neighbors of UTA’s plans to install a double track rail system down the city’s Main Street.
They want to get as much public comment to UTA by the Tuesday, March 16, deadline as they can. Comments can be emailed to southdavistransit@hwlochner.com. For more information on the proposal, visit www.rideuta.com/projects/ southDavisTransitStudy/default.aspx.
Their sentiment is joining that of many Centerville residents who last week said they oppose a streetcar down their Main Street.
The proposed line would run from downtown Salt Lake City to Centerville, with a bus connection north into Farmington.
“We are upset that we’ve received no information about this project from our city officials,” said Verlon Duncan, a member of the group and Bountiful resident.
“That’s why we’ve organized...to inform people and invite them to get involved. There has to be a mechanism for the will of the people to be known,” she said.
Almost a year ago to the day, Bountiful Mayor Joe Johnson expressed strong support for a streetcar coming to the city’s Main Street. He and several other government officials viewed and rode on streetcars in several European cities. A public meeting was held to explain streetcar possibilities.
Duncan said the group “is concerned about many aspects of the plan including increased congestion, parking limitations, and pedestrian safety.” She said there are 14 schools within a quarter mile of the route. Other concerns include cost, a potential decrease in property values for homes along the route, and an increase in crime.
Duncan said “Salt Lake City has demonstrated there is a real crime problem at their park and ride lots such as theft, auto damage, attempted rape, and mugging. This proposed system may bring gang and criminal elements into our peaceful neighborhoods.
“We are concerned about the added road congestion as we contend with trains on Main Street,” she said. There are also concerns about how decreased parking on Main would impact local businesses.
“We are concerned our taxes will be raised to fund a project we don’t event want,” Duncan said. She said the $411 million to $473 million cost “does not even come close to the federal New Start funding requirement level of need,” meaning no federal money will be awarded.
The group also disputed projected growth figures by UTA of nearly 200 percent in daily transit trips. “In reality, the majority of this growth is projected to happen in Woods Cross and North Salt Lake, not Bountiful or Centerville.”
“Running a rail system down our Main Street would change the whole feeling of our community,” Duncan said. “We love the hometown suburban feel. That’s why we chose to live here. If we wanted a railroad in our backyard we’d move to downtown Salt Lake.”
Johnson has said a streetcar would bring more people to downtown Bountiful, helping revitalize the area and support local businesses. It would also aid senior citizens and others.
Those wanting to get involved or learn more about Bountiful Against Rail can email Bountifulagainstlightrail@yahoo.com.
tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
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