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Show Report Says Bountiful Roads Adequate By GARY R. BLODGETT BOUNTIFUL With the exception of a couple of "trouble spots," existing roads leading into Bountiful would he adequate to handle traffic for a downtown mall or shopping shop-ping center. THIS REPORT to the Bountiful Redevelopment Rede-velopment Agency hoard of directors (city council) last Wednesday night emphasized that no major changes or improvements would be needed, according to a recent traffic study. John Hampshire, representing Machan, Hampshire and Properties (MHP), said the extensive study was made by J.H.K. Associates Asso-ciates of Denver during the past couple of months. HE NOTED that traffic studies and other pertinent information was provided to the Denver firm by representatives of the Bountiful Engineer's Dept. "This is not a slanted study," Mr. Hampshire emphasized. "Many figures and reports from the engineer's office were used in the study and J.H.K. did the analysis analy-sis of the report." MR. HAMPSHIRE told the board that the level of traffic into the city is presently classified as being "A-Level," or a minimum mini-mum amount for the existing road structures. struc-tures. "With the addition of a downtown mall or major shopping center, the traffic level would be increased to a B-Level," he said. " This level could be increased to a C-level, or heavy use level, on weekends and during peak shopping periods like Christmas." MR. HAMPSHIRE stressed that a lot of study went into the possibility of making l(X) East and 1(H) West one-way streets but that the advice is strongly against this proposal. prop-osal. He outlined the intersections of 400 North just east of Main Street. 300 North on 100 East, and Main Street and Center as being "potential trouble spots." HE SAID additional traffic signals would be needed at these intersections to regulate turns. Also, it was suggested that only a right-hand turn be allowed northbound off of Main Street at 4(H) North. Gary Machan. also representing MHP. told the board that he no has "letters of interest or intent" from stores wanting to lease 106.800 square feet or about one-third one-third of the total space for a planned shopping shop-ping mall HE SAID he was not at liberty to disclose the names of major department stores ho have expressed an interest in locating in Bountiful but that "I have talked to three or four who are very interested." But Mr. Machan was quick to note that there still is no definite plans or design for a downtown mall only a concept for an overall shopping center. "MANY PERSONS have the misconception misconcep-tion that a downtown mall is definitely going into Bountiful and that a design and plans have already been approved," he said. "This simply is not true." He noted that the present study is for development of all downtown Bountiful from 400 North to 500 South on both sides of Main Street. MEANWHILE, a local survey team. Thomas Kennster of Centerville. is conducting con-ducting an extensive economic and marketing market-ing study which should be completed in 30 to 60 days. "By the end of the year we should have the results of all studies and if they are impressive we will be ready to move ahead with actual development next spring," said Mr. Machan. "But if our concept is wrong or the studies not favorable, we'll be the First to admit it." HE SAID he is confident that two and perhaps three majors will be interested enought to locate in Bountiful and they could anchor any type of shopping center that is finally approved. |