Party Lines: Should There Be Streetcars in Davis County?

Party Lines: Should there be streetcars in Davis County?

by Rob Miller

Mar 25, 2010 | 105 views | 0  | 6  |  | 

My first thought on having streetcars in Davis County was, that would be pretty cool, but I need to be clear that this is an issue that I have not given much thought until the Clipper gave us this topic. So, to better understand the issue I visited several Bountiful and Centerville businesses and residents to get their thoughts. After my discussions with those who would be most affected by the current Main Street plan I have come to the conclusion that even as an advocate for public transportation I cannot endorse the current plan.

Although I know that there are advocates for the streetcar plan, the consensus of those I spoke with is that the current plan will not serve us well for several valid reasons.

Cost to Davis County Residents: The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has determined that the cost of the “Davis Streetcar Project” is $411 to $473 million. That is a lot of money and my concern is this project doesn’t meet the Federal New Start funding requirement. If this project is not self sustaining we will see an increase in taxes and to that I am opposed.

Need to Davis County Residents: UTA has cut bus services to save $3 million. If we are indeed cutting bus services then why would we engage in a new project when we are indeed cutting the current bus service already in place? Bountiful is estimated to grow only at 3 percent to 2030, and Centerville will only see 8 percent growth during the same time period. I just don’t see that this project is necessary at that rate of growth.

Decreased Property Values for Davis Residents: Although UTA has stated that values will increase along the streetcar route I am suspect. Have homes near the FrontRunner increased? My best guess is that housing along the route will actually decrease over time. One thing we should be aware of is the fact that the UTA study is based on High Density Residential, General Commercial and Office uses to facilitate the proposed increase in ridership numbers. It may look good on paper, but we should also know that the UTA encouraged the cities involved to rezone properties on Main Street and that their conclusions come from building and housing that does not yet exist.

Safety, Crime and Congestion: If this system is built there will be safety issues with my greatest concern being that of children who are traveling to school during peak hours on foot or on their bikes and we need to understand that there are 11 school crossings on the proposed transit route.

Salt Lake City has already demonstrated a real crime problem at their “park and ride” lots, and there is a serious concern that this route will bring increased crime into the heart of Bountiful and Centerville.

And, if you have driven on Main Street in Salt Lake City lately then you will understand why I love living in Bountiful. Everything from North Salt Lake to Farmington is 10 minutes away by car. 

Party Lines: Should there be streetcars in Davis County?

by Todd Weiler

Mar 25, 2010 | 89 views | 0  | 1  |  | 

I am generally in favor of public transportation projects. Whenever I travel to New York or Washington, D.C., I go out of my way to ride the subway. I lived in Los Angeles for a couple of years with no viable transit options. I found it very disappointing.

I also use both FrontRunner and TRAX. In fact, I rode them both last week. I would definitely use the proposed streetcars. There are good reasons to invest in public transportation. Not only does it help the poor, elderly and disabled, it also promotes economic development and redevelopment. Anyone who is sick of sitting stuck in traffic should be in support of this project.

Projects like the proposed streetcars are a step in the right direction. One of our nation’s greatest national security vulnerabilities right now is our dependence on foreign oil. Since most of our imported oil comes from unstable parts of the world, we could be forced into unwanted wars, or even face fuel cutoffs like we had in the 1970s. As fuel prices rise, which long-term they inevitably will, more and more people will be looking for alternatives.

With a streetcar, you don’t have to keep your eyes on the road. You can read a book, talk to a new friend, or just sit back and relax. You don’t have to worry about anything because someone else is doing the driving. Streetcars are also better than buses, which sometimes can be difficult for people to understand where they go. People are more comfortable when they see the tracks so they know where they are going. In the 1920s, General Motors began to purchase streetcar systems and convert them to buses. The strategy worked. They knew that if you offered people buses, most would chose to buy a car instead.

As for cost concerns, the current dominance of roads is due to massive subsidization by the government. Highways also require an enormous amount of money to support.

Nothing about our current imbalance in transportation is a free market outcome. Gas taxes do not cover road expenses.

Both TRAX and FrontRunner allow passengers to board with bicycles. I understand that streetcars would as well. This gives people an enormous amount of flexibility in pedaling east or west to the transit corridor. That is what I do, and it offers the added benefit of a little exercise.

I understand that it is natural to fear change. Most of the same arguments against streetcars were used against light rail 10 years ago. By any reasonable standard, TRAX has been a huge success. I respect the opinion of those who disagree with me, but I think the streetcar idea has potential. Perhaps it should be put to a vote of the people before more taxpayer funds are expended. 

"I Love Main Street" - Bountiful Residents To Hold Rally

Anti-streetcar group to hold rally

Mar 25, 2010 | 58 views | 0  | 2  |  | 

BOUNTIFUL — An “I Love Main Street” rally to protest UTA’s streetcar plan will be held March 29 at 7 p.m. at the Bountiful University of Utah Extension east parking lot (between 100 S. and 200 South), off Main.

Participants are asked to wear green and white, as well as bring balloons and posters expressing support for local businesses and Historic Main Street’s character. An example of the kind of poster rally organizers are looking for is “Citizens for Enhanced Bus Service with Park and Ride Lots.”

The group organizing the rally is also mailing post cards to every property owner in Bountiful explaining the three options for Main Street that UTA has proposed, the group’s concerns, and how to access the project’s public comments site.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com

Main St. Plan Doesn't Push Streetcars - Davis County Clipper - March 25, 2010

Main St. plan doesn’t push streetcars

by Jenniffer Wardell

Mar 25, 2010 | 60 views | 0  | 2  |  | 

CENTERVILLE — City officials would like to emphasize that Centerville’s Main Street Plan doesn’t say a thing about streetcars.

Centerville Community Development Director Cory Snyder reviewed the plan during a recent work session, emphasizing to the gathered residents that the plan simply states that mass transit of some kind would be good for Main Street only if it didn’t widen the already existing road.

The mayor and city council sent a letter to UTA earlier this week emphasizing that city officials had not expressed a preference for a certain type of transit option.

“I think many of our residents are getting the idea that the city is pushing the streetcar plan, but that is definitely not the case,” said Centerville City Manager Steve Thacker, specifying that the streetcars are UTA’s idea. “The plan states that we think public transit is important on Main Street, but only if it could be done within the existing roadway. We never specify a certain type of mass transit.”

Though the plan was already approved by the city council in 2007, city officials will hold an open house and public hearing on the plan sometime in the next few months.

“We’re reopening the issue for public comment if people want to weigh in,” said Thacker. “We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity.”

The Centerville Main Street Master Plan was designed to give city officials general guidelines on future development in the area. Though the specific changes will differ depending on which area of Main Street a new building is being built, the general thrust of the proposed plan and zoning changes include less parking and landscaping for new buildings and greater flexibility in potential use.

jwardell@davisclipper.com

Centerville officials haven't endorsed UTA streetcar plan - Davis County Clipper - March 25, 2010

Centerville officials haven’t endorsed UTA streetcar plan

by Melinda Williams

Mar 25, 2010 | 62 views | 0  | 2  |  | 

CENTERVILLE — Centerville City officials say they cannot endorse the “build” alternative proposed in the South Davis Transit Draft Environmental Study Report.

In a letter to the Utah Transit Authority, city officials outlined several areas they believe need clarification as to the city’s stance on the proposed streetcar system. The letter was signed by Mayor Ronald G. Russell and every city council member.

UTA spokesperson Gerry Carpenter said the agency knew the city would be bringing up concerns. He added the specifics brought out in the letter need to be addressed and will be.

Thus far, UTA has heard from 840 people concerning the streetcar project. About one in 10 of the comments have been supportive, Carpenter said.

The public comment period continues through March 31. Those wishing to comment may email southdavistransit@hwlochner.com or by fax at 801-415-5850 or by mail at South Davis Transit Corridor Project, c/o H.W. Lochner, 1245 E. Brickyard Road, suite 400, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84106.

According to Centerville’s letter, many in the city are concerned that Centerville officials favor the rail transit option, or that the Main Street plan identifies rail as the city’s preferred transit option. “These perceptions by the public are inaccurate.”

In the body of the letter, Centerville officials are adamant the city has not identified a preferred transit mode. “More specifically, we have not indicated that we prefer rail transit.” City officials say they expect the decision to be based on several additional processes and whether there is funding.

Carpenter said the city is right to point out this is just a study and that no funding has been allocated. He said there will be several additional steps the agency must take before any option is approved, and that at each phase, public comment will be solicited.

In the letter, Centerville officials also said it wasn’t the intent of the city’s Main Street Plan to indicate the community’s preference for a specific transit mode.

The letter told UTA, “We have previously advised you that an important component of our Main Street Plan is that we do not want the roadway to be widened in any significant way and that any improvements to the right-of-way should be limited to the enhancement of sidewalks and pedestrian spaces.”

Noting that many Centerville residents are concerned that the alternative has been deemed the “locally preferred alternative,” Carpenter said the phrase doesn’t mean the alternative has been adopted. “It’s an industry term to denote the build alternative used in the study,” he said. “Every concern still needs to be addressed, reviewed and discussed in the final version.”

City officials also noted they have heard from residents concerned about safety issues. Officials ask that other routes be considered, or that the build alternative end at Pages Lane if those concerns cannot be addressed adequately.

“That’s a legitimate concern for the Centerville area,” Carpenter said, adding if the build alternative ends at Pages Lane, UTA will look at other ways to take care of commuters who may otherwise have used the streetcar through Centerville, such as buses along the route.

The city asked UTA to move forward immediately with further analysis and planning for improved bus service and better east-west connections.

Carpenter said UTA wants the project as a way to improve transportation. That may include buses, rails, FrontRunner, trails or other transportation alternatives to move people through the area.

“We want it to be something people use,” he said. “Whatever we do in south Davis needs to meet the needs of the community.”

mwilliams@davisclipper.com

Centerville's Leaders Respond To The Draft ESR

Maybe City Leadership Can Make A Difference?

West Valley leaders say no rail on 5600 West
By Rebecca Palmer
Deseret News
Published: Sunday, March 21, 2010 9:58 p.m. MDT

WEST VALLEY CITY — City leaders are pushing back against a plan endorsed by the Utah Transit Authority that would put light rail along 5600 West.
City manager Wayne Pyle sent a letter to the transit agency in late February saying that city planners don't foresee the suburban road as a good fit for permanent tracks.
The Deseret News received a copy of the letter through a Government Records Access and Management Act request. The letter was part of the city's response to plans for bus rapid transit lanes for 5600 West between 2700 South and 6200 South. The bus lines are expected to be built within five years, but no funding is available for the project.
In later phases, the rapid transit line is planned to be expanded to I-80 on the north and 11800 South on the other end.
The federal government has approved plans to build transit adjacent to Mountain View Corridor, which will ultimately link up with 5600 West in several spots.
If successful, the 5600 West bus line is planned to become a light rail line. Because of that projection, UTA is interested in buying needed right-of-way property for multiple TRAX stops.
"The property impacts at intersections are unacceptable," the letter from Pyle to UTA reads. "We don't see a need to buy right-of-way for a 350-foot-long future light rail transit station that may never be built. We believe bus rapid transit will be sufficient long-term and that there will not be a need for light rail transit."
First-year Mayor Mike Winder agrees with city staff on the issue and is encouraging UTA to save money on the project. Bus lines are about one-fifth the cost of rails, he explained.
"I think if you look at the type of housing densities light rail transit needs to support it, I'm not sure that 5600 West will have that kind of density," Winder said.
Currently, 5600 West runs along a collection of big-box stores and a few schools and gas stations. However, the street is mostly bordered by suburban homes on single lots. It ends with a four-way stop that leads to a dead end at about 6600 South.
Despite disagreements over the future of the street, UTA and West Valley remain committed to working together, both sides said.
UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter said the transit agency's plans for light rail could go unfulfilled for decades.
"Community support is critical to whatever is ultimately built," Carpenter said. "It's always better to overplan and underconstruct than the other way around."
e-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com

Public Comment Period Extended

Legal Notice – UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY

NOTICE OF EXTENSION OF COMMENT PERIOD AND CONTINUED AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT

South Davis Transit Corridor Project

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has extended the comment period for the Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) for the South Davis Transit Corridor project that defines the purpose and need for the project, alternatives considered, potential for environmental impact, and mitigation measures that might relieve potential impacts. The 30-day public comment period has been extended to 45 days and will now occur from February 15, 2010, to March 31, 2010. Comments on the DESR must be postmarked, e-mailed, or faxed to the South Davis Transit Corridor Project by March 31, 2010. For inclusion in the official public hearing transcript, letters or comments must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2010. Please reference the project name within the comment.

Comments can be submitted in the following ways:

On the project Web site at: http://www.rideuta.com/projects/southDavisTransitStudy/submitComment.aspx

• By e-mail to southdavistransit@hwlochner.com

• By fax to (801) 801-415-5850 (write “Attention South Davis Transit Corridor Project” on the fax)

• By postal mail to the following address:

South Davis Transit Corridor Project

c/o H.W. Lochner,

1245 East Brickyard Road, Suite 400

Salt Lake City, Utah 84106

Copies of the Draft ESR are available during regular office hours for public review at the following locations beginning February 15, 2010:

§ Davis County Library, 38 South 100 East, Farmington, Utah

§ Davis County Library – South Branch, 725 South Main, Bountiful, Utah

§ Centerville City Library - 45 S. 400 W. Centerville, Utah

§ Salt Lake City Public Library – Main Branch, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah

§ UTA FrontLines Headquarters, 669 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah

Copies of the Draft ESR are also available during regular office hours at the municipal offices of Salt Lake City, North Salt Lake, Woods Cross, West Bountiful, Bountiful, Centerville, and Farmington. The Draft ESR and further project information are also available at http://www.rideuta.com/projects/southDavisTransitStudy/default.aspx

Further information about the project can be obtained by contacting the South Davis Transit public involvement team at 1245 East Brickyard Road, Suite 400, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84106, or 801-415-5800.

John Inglish, General Manager/CEO

Transit Oriented Development - Do We Want It?

I happened to drive near the Sandy Civic Center TRAX stop today and discovered a TOD (Transit Oriented Development) that Sandy City has underway or did have underway. I thought you might enjoy taking a look.

This TOD is located adjacent to the TRAX station in Sandy.

Foundations are in the ground and ready for Phase II.

The TOD has many amenities for the residents.

Centerville's South Main Street Corridor Plan has as one of it's objectives, "9.E. Establish future transit stops near the Mixed-use Districts to create a transit-oriented development. Establish pedestrian links to and from any transit stops." I have thought a great deal about such developments. The ESR mentions Portland, Oregon as an example of a transit system that contributed to new transit oriented developments. I don't have any first hand experience with Portland, but we do have 10 years of TRAX experience to examine. "... some of the claims by TRAX proponents have not come true, either. The predictions that TRAX stations would spur transit-oriented developments and businesses have never quite taken hold, despite attempts" ('10 years of TRAX - only the beginning,' Deseret News Article, 12/6/09).

What do you think? Should we spend a half a billion dollars of our money and see if we can attract TOD's to Centerville's Main Street?

Is There Room On The Bus?

The Alternative Analysis Draft Report published in April 2008, addressed "future traffic conditions" in 2030 if we adopted the No-Build Alternative. The AADP states on page 37, "Generally, the overall traffic conditions in the study area indicate acceptable levels of service (LOS A through D), except for the CBD (Central Business District) of Salt Lake City."

I made a statement and put forth a question on November 12, 2009. I said, "Our buses are currently under utilized, do we need a rail system?" I wanted to provide you data that is obtained from page 1-10 of the ESR and Kerry Doane of the UTA. I noticed that the ridership contained in the ESR was from 2008. I have the ridership numbers for 2009 and "available daily seats." With that information, we can calculate the "available seats used" for each route. When considering "percentages" it is important to understand that routes have different characteristics; peak only versus all-day, express versus local, three county versus two-county. Some service has passengers getting on and off throughout the route which is difficult to quantify a percent full. Other routes are typified by passengers getting on early in the route and staying in their seats for nearly the whole trip. Look at the numbers and you decide if there's room on the bus.

Average Daily Ridership on South Davis County Bus Routes
	Daily	Daily	Seats	Percentage
	Ridership	Ridership	Available	Seats Used
Route	2008	2009	2009	2009
455	1326	1458	2070	70.4%
460	111	43	360	11.9%
461	102	117	315	37.1%
462	106	102	270	37.8%
463	117	72	225	32.0%
470	3913	3721	3825	97.3%
471	366	156	270	57.8%

How Do I Get Involved?

Many people have asked, "What can I do to help stop this rail system from coming to our Main Street." Here is some contact information that will help you.

Centerville Residents Contact: Bruce Smith at 801-298-1453. You can also send me an email through this blog.

Centerville Business Contact: Bruce Pitt at 801-292-6240.

Bountiful Residents Contact: Verlon Duncan at 801-295-4173.