OCR Text |
Show - Keep Up with the Times - VOLUME 97 NO. 34 to Oh County is one step closer to beginning upgrades by ANDREW WEEKS Assistant Editor Downtown August will Magna soon get upgrades along 2700 South. At an open house held at the Senior Citizens Center on Tuesday evening, Aug. 17, county representatives presented first draft plans to the public on what will happen along Magna's Main Street The representatives answered questions and encouraged those who attended to leave written comments and suggestions, which Leon Berrett, operations manager for the Public Works said will be Department, looked at more closely in the coming weeks. "These are the preliminary plans," he stated. "We wanted to show the public (the drafts) and get the community's input At the next meeting we'll show them the final plans." The next open house will be held in about a month, he said, with initiatory woik to begin in early October. The Magna Renovation Project as it is called, will include new sidewalks, curbs, gutters and streetlights, and new trees and other streetscape features. The roacT itself will also receive a new overlay. "We won't tear up the road and put a new one down like UDOT does," Berrett explained, "but we will lay new asphalt and give the road a new crown." Cost of the entire project is slated between $800,000-$900,00the first $100,000 to the first phase. going will come from Money 0, IMmmsi FMCT Community Development and Building Grants, RDA funds and the Public Works said that Berrett Department at the moment he's not sure how many phases the project going to be doing the roadway." Benett sa:d he's been working on the renovation idea for more than a year, ever since the will include; the first will likely be between 8950 West and 9000 West 'County crews will here in October, and then in the spring we'll contract the remaining work out When we do that we'll have a definite end time." JUB Engineers, Inc. has drafted the preliminary plans, and will also be drawing the final plans. "At this point we really want feedback from the com- Senior Center raised concerns about rough munity," said JUB Project Manager Paul Burnham. "This project is limited to right of way. There will be no new facades on buildings or other things of that nature, we're just 19-2- 5, 2004 jeft ffaeeDS'lfti sidewalks and other tripping hazards. He said he realizes that a lot of people would like to see downtown Magna become a more enticing place for people to do business, and that residents and business owners alike should be happy about the progress that is being Photo by Andrew Weeks made in that direction. Residents attended an open on Tuesday, Aug. 17, to see draft "We actually have plans that the county presented to upgrade Main Street. money designated to this to spade more interest and sometime in October. We're project At this point we have a it. We more growth here." Berrett excited about conand really preliminary plan, said struction work will begin hope this will act as a catalyst moves to historic homestead! is by LISA HENRIE The difficult challenge Contributor restoring the property, as its needs are monumental from basic clean up to anew heating and air conditioning unit Mostly, they need volunteers, donations and carpenters. To begin to reduce the enormity of this undertaking, a Utah the from group Magna FACT (Families, Communities Agencies, rewrites history Together) everyday for families in crisis through their unrelenting acts of .kindness and determina-- , tion. Currently located at 9124 West 2700 South, FACT is a private, nonprofit 501c(3) n agency, which was established in 1996. They serve the needs families in Magna of at-ri- throughout zip codes 84044 and 84128, and originated as a federal "Safe & Stable Families Grant" Magna served 2,300-plu- s utir individuals during 2002-0of who 96 percent were victims 3, of domestic violence. This team does it all out of an office area no larger than approximately 20 feet long by eight feet wide. Parking is limited to the street; there is virtually no privacy for the families -mostly women and children who have escaped from abusive spouses - when they meet with the advocates; and food Itf v - CHIPMedicaid coordinator Louise Miller. The "old red brick LDS farmhouse," as it has been known for many years was built near the turn of the last century, is located on the east-sid- e in poverty feel like they are shunned by society. We want them to feel a part of the community; that's why we're here and why this home is the perfect spot" Webb works alongside Certified Mediator Mary FACT and Hammond, -- - ' mt ' : of Magna Main Street It has a tong history from the time it was the homestead of Utah Pioneer Hiram Theron Spencer to when Kennecott Utah Copper operated it During the latter decade, it deteriorated and became a haven for drug users, squatters and vandals. Somehow, though, it has stood the test of time to offer renewed purpose As residents and visi- Contributor The Magna Chamber of Commerce welcomes all residents and business owners to participate in discussions for the 2005 Fourth of July Celebration, to be held Thursday, Aug. 19 starting at 6:30 p.m. Location of the discussions will be the Senior Citizens Center, located at 8952 W. 2700 S. : Photo by Lisa Henrie for others. "We are donating the property as 'conditional use,' meaning for historic preservation and utilization of the residence into something beneficial for the community," said Louie Cononelos, Kennecott's director of public relations and government affairs. The farmhouse is setback on a large property that will allow for rear parking and an enclosed play area for children, while their caretakers receive assistance from the FACT team. structure has The two-stoi- y a large front porch where Webb envisions a white slat porch swing, a main floor fireplace adjacent to two more rooms and adjoining kitchen, and three smaller rooms upstairs. It has a full basement which, when the project is completed, will be used for Fitzgerald. The project evokes deep emotion for the team visibly apparent in their eyes. "We didn't want to see this historic building tom down. We made the application for it and now we can realize our food storage, clothing and other supplies. "I've decorated this house vision," at least 20 times in my head!" Laughed Webb. "This will be an extension of what weve already been doing. Plus, it gives us a visiin the ble presence Community," said FACT Board Chairman Norman Help make "05 fireworks happen by USA HENRIE mJW Workers prepare an old homestead to be used for new Magna FACT offices, allowing for bigger and better space. reaches the roof. "Moving into this house means everything to us," said Victim Webb, Advocate. "It means a lot to the families we serve because they can have a safe place, a welcoming place to come to right on Main Street Families J V : fAd'ti.Ptrjr. and clothing storage nearly Kathy A tors hand works or carnival were part of this year's celebration. The Chamber, along with members from the Magna Area Council, would like to ensure a return to tradition with a successful Independence event. Magna remains one of the few Fourth of July events. Community support is key experienced firstthis year, no fire- self-funde- d Fitzgerald's remarks in the article, between $13,000-$15,00- 0 is needed to have to the continuation of this 92-pl- us year tradition. "It takes more than just dollars ... we need some a 'quality' Home Town days celebration. Some account the decline of the celebrations to a burnout of the same dedicated volunteers continuing their service year after year. angels along the way," said Area Council member Norman Fitzgerald in the July 24-3- 0 Magna Times article 'Magna breaks from tradition.' "We need a committee." Magna has also lost out on the highly popular and attended Home Town to According Days. This is the community's chance to get involved and bring in fresh faces. i Hammond said. very thankful to Kennecott for considering us for this." In order for FACT to qualifor the property, they needfy ed to meet three criteria: be a non profit 50 c(3 ); have a certain number of people to serve; and certain type of services. Tins was the easy part. "We're 1 Department of Corrections volunteer labor force was onsite and began cleanup last Friday, Aug. 13. Supervised by Officer Cecil Hawthorne, this unconventional assembly of volunteers looked forward to the chance to "do something positive" for the Magna community. 'They (offenders) get a satisfaction out of it (volunteer work) because they have committed crimes against communities. It is their chance to give bxk what they took," said Hawthorne. Most of these offenders committed crimes ranging from vandalism to illegal drug salesabuse and gang related offenses. While the Utah Department of Corrections estimates that vandalism remains at around 65 percent, this kind of program is showing some promise by helping the offenders leam new skills to matriculate into society. "This team can do just about anything from rough to landscape," carpentry Haw thorne said. "We're glad they're here," added Webb. If you would like to donate materials (including equipment, such as a refrigerator, stove, office furniture, swing set etc.) or funding, please contact the FACT office at or by labor, 250-481- 1, at MKH2KAOL.com. |