My Response To The Clipper Article

Melinda,

I write to you in regards to your recent article mentioned above. I am a resident of Centerville and do not favor the construction of a rail line system on our Main Street. And, I believe that the majority of South Davis County residents feel the same way.

Your article states, "Some sort of transit system has been a dream of residents and elected officials for a number of years." Later in the article you state, quoting Mr. Carpenter from the UTA, "After studying the alternatives, the Utah Transit Authority has found streetcars to be the locally preferred alternative, according to UTA spokesperson Gerry Carpenter. 'The response has been positive. We’ve had very, very good support.”

I thought you might be interested in some facts regarding the so called "locally preferred alternative" and the "very, very good support" that Mr. Carpenter mentions.

The UTA held several workshops during this process. During Workshop #1 held on March 8, 2007 at Bountiful City Hall the attendees from Centerville totaled six; Bill Davies, Tami Fillmore, George Fisher, Sherri Lindstrom, Cory Snyder, and Steve Thacker. I might note, that Bountiful had five attendees, Farmington had five, North Salt Lake three, West Bountiful five, and Woods Cross three. As you look at the list of attendees, you see that the overwhelming majority of those attending are city officials (elected and career), members of planning commissions, etc. There was very little, if any, citizen involvement.

The UTA held Workshop #2 on May 16, 2007 at Bountiful City Hall. The attendees from Centerville totaled five; Tami Fillmore, Steve Thacker, Sherri Lindstrom, Phil Sessions, and Cory Snyder. Bountiful had four attendees, Farmington had three, North Salt Lake two, West Bountiful three, and Woods Cross three. As you look at the list of attendees, you see many who attended both sessions. Again, the overwhelming majority of those attending are city officials, members of planning commissions, etc. There was very little, if any, ordinary citizen involvement.

Workshop #3 was held on September 26, 2007 at the South Davis Recreation Center. The attendees from Centerville totaled five; Tami Fillmore, Ken Jones, Sherri Lindstrom, Phil Sessions, and Nancy Smith. Bountiful had nine attendees, Farmington had five, North Salt Lake four, West Bountiful four, and Woods Cross five. As you look at the list of attendees, you see many who attended all three sessions. Again, the overwhelming majority of those attending are city officials, members of planning commissions, etc. There very little, if any, ordinary citizen involvement.

After these workshops were completed, the UTA held an Open House for the public on November 8, 2007 at the South Davis Recreation Center. The Open House was held from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm. There were sixty-one (61) people who registered. Thirty-three (33) people provided written comments as to their preference. The following shows the results:

• Enhanced Bus on Main Street - 9
• DMU on Commuter Rail Alignment - 7
• BRT on Main to Centerville with Branches - 6
• Rail on Main Street to Centerville - 12
• Rail on 400 West to Centerville - 1

In addition to the comment cards, participants were able to place dots on a board under the alternative they felt would be best. Seventy (70) dots were placed. Not sure how you get seventy (70) placed dots from sixty-one (61) attendees, but the results are as follows:

• Enhanced Bus on Main Street - 12
• DMU on Commuter Rail Alignment - 17.5
• BRT on Main to Centerville with Branches (400 West) - 5
• BRT on Main to Centerville with Branches (Main) - 5
• Rail on Main Street to Centerville - 23
• Rail on 400 West to Centerville - 7.5

The UTA interprets these comments and dots placed and concludes, that "Rail on Main Street to Centerville" is the locally preferred alternative. That option was selected thirty-five (35) times that evening. It is curious to note that bus options were selected thirty-seven (37) times that same evening. FrontRunner (DMU on Commuter Rail) actually was selected 24.5 times that evening, we have already built that option and it came in third. Perhaps some sort of bus option is actually the "locally preferred alternative" that we have been dreaming about.

Sincerely,

Brent Hintze

Centerville Resident

News Report - Davis County Clipper - February 25, 2010

Open house will help UTA move closer to streetcars

by Melinda Williams

Feb 25, 2010 90 views 0 2

THE proposed streetcar line is marked in red.

CENTERVILLE — Within the next few years, Centerville residents who want to shop in Bountiful may not have to drive.

A proposed streetcar system may carry commuters between Centerville and Bountiful, and on into Salt Lake City.

Utah Transit Authority has plans for such a system and is looking for feedback from residents as part of its draft Environmental Study Report.

An open house will be held Tuesday, March 2,from 4-7 p.m. at Centerville Junior High School, 625 S. Main, Centerville, to explain the project and gather input and suggestions. Public comments will be accepted through March 16, by contacting the website: southdavistransit@hwlochner.com.

Some sort of transit system has been a dream of residents and elected officials for a number of years. Systems considered included streetcars, bus rapid transit, an enhanced bus system and light rail. After studying the alternatives, the Utah Transit Authority has found streetcars to be the locally preferred alternative, according to UTA spokesperson Gerry Carpenter. “The response has been positive. We’ve had very, very good support,” Carpenter said.

He said there are always concerns among residents living near a proposed transportation system. Those who wish to share those concerns will have their comments recorded and incorporated into the record.

In the plan currently under consideration, the streetcar line will run from the intermodal hub in downtown Salt Lake City, running 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. There will be 10 new rail stations along the route, with two more planned in the future. Three park and ride lots will allow commuters to leave their cars.

Carpenter described the system as an intra-city system, moving at a slower pace than other transit systems. “We envision something like people getting on the streetcar in Centerville, riding it into Bountiful’s Main Street, where they could jump off and shop or get their hair cut,” Carpenter said.

He said there’s great economic development potential in it, not only attracting new businesses, but residents who want a more transit-oriented lifestyle.

Carpenter shared the example of Portland, Ore., which built a street car line several years ago. The line cost $57 million to build, but netted more than $5 billion in economic development. Property values also increased in the area.

He said people living in condominiums and apartments, such as are located at Pages Lane and Main Street, may find streetcars particularly inviting as a transit alternative.

Carpenter said that UTA estimates by 2030, 14,700 riders will use the line daily.

The ESR will look at factors which will be affected by the proposed build alternative, including land use, environmental issues, air quality, noise and vibration, cultural impacts, utilities and safety and security among them, as well as any mitigation requirements.

UTA will then take information gathered from the open house and incorporate it into the document before releasing the final ESR.

From there, “we'll be identifying and securing funding,” Carpenter said. Those sources haven’t been identified yet, but may include federal stimulus money, grants or some local funding.

Carpenter said estimated cost of the project is somewhere between $410-$480 million.

He said UTA officials see the project as an investment in the future of one of the fastest growing counties in the state.

mwilliams@davisclipper.com