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Show O 68th Year Thursday December 31, 1981 No. 53 ' 20 Pages Roosevelt, Utah 25 Cents Roosevelt to get school, but what? A new high school, an elementary, or even a new middle school! Just what does the Roosevelt area need next is the question before the Duchesne Countv School Board. In talking with school board member Kay Trowbridge, she stated that it was the concensus of the board to build in Roosevelt next, but so far the board is undecided on just what to build. SNOW ISNT ALL BAD! If you take a little snow, add an incline, and mix in some kids this is what you will have . . . The board met with the principals of the couniy and even they had mixed build. Kav noted .H"1.'"'" "7 wiV-Se people she 0. has talked to have been evenly split on their desires of just what is needed. The school district has had a building priority list Ho which they refer for building new schools. This list was changed two years ago allowing Tabiona to construct their new school, dropping Roosevelts proposed elementary back. The Tabiona facility was started and now the planning for a new school in Roosevelt has begun. Kay discussed openly some of the problems and positive points associated each of the talked-abou- t schools. Many people have voiced their opinion in favor of a new high have pointed out that schooLThey escalating construction cost will almost make a new high school cost prohibitive if constructed in the future. Kay was concerned with the amount it would take to build a new The amount it would high school. take to construct a new high school would tie up quite a few years of our building budget, she slated. smiling faces. For all of us that had to shovel walks and drives, there is another side to life, that we sometimes forget. Kay pointed out that we are not a bonding people. She explained there was only a difference of 17 votes in passing the bond election for the construction of East Elementary and the addition at Altamont High School. She remarked that a factor of us not being a bonding people is that we are not a voting people in and around Roosevelt. In connection with a new high school she explained the existing high school could be remodeled to fit the needs of a middle school concept. The junior high school could also he remodeled to house the upper elementary grades and therefore ease the crunch of students at the elementary s. She said that a new high school would create a lot of remodeling costs to go along wi'h the already high costs of a new high school. Also problems existing with Uintah County as to an equitable contract for students already attending Union would still exist and may be compounded with the possibility of more Uintah Couniy students enrolling in the middle school. Kay was excited when talking about the middle school concept. You just cant beat it," she said, but explained that it should be the concept that we accept and not be forced into it by the economy. If a middle school were constructed transportation problems are compounded with the addition of another campus. Right now the Roosevelt area has four separate schools which students Continued on paqe 3 Roosevelt takes step Concerns voiced on to positive planning redevelopment plan Even though the Roosevelt City Council passed an ordinance which will establish the redevelopment district, the opposition was not yet over. However, even with the opposition, the Roosevelt City Council explained the project is being undertaken because they feel it will be in the best interest of everyone involved. The action last night (Monday night, December 28) was a very positive step by the Council in recognizing some deficiencies in the downtown area," said Gary Jones, APA representative. Jones, the man who aided Roosevelt in developing their redevelopment district, said the main purpose of the district is to improve the downtown area of Roosevelt so as to keep it prospering. The Council was mow interested in than helping existing businesses said attracting new businesses, Jones. He was also at the public hearing Monday night to help answer questions posed by concerned parties. One of the first questions dealt with the effect the district would have on property owners within the district Rumors had spread that property owners within the district would not be able to sell their property at will Jones put any such assumptions to rest No. It would have no affect on property owners regarding their right to buy and sell property," said Jones. He added that no zone changes would take place. Another question raised was what benefits would the residents see. "It depends on the kinds of projects the district undertakes, Jones stated. Jones said the district can undertake a myriad of projects, some of which will definitely benefit the entire community. The major goals of the redevelopment district have been expressed in the Statement of Development Objectives" contained in the report of the Roosevelt Master Plan. Some of the goals, while too numerous to mention aU, are to coordinate and improve the transportation and circulation, system of Roosevelt; provide improved pedistri-a- n circulation systems; removal of structurally buildings to facilitate the return of land to its highest and best use; stimulate and attract private investment, thereby improving the citys economic base and increase employment opportunities; provision for improvements of public streets, curbs and sidewalks, other publie rights-of-way- , street lights, and landscaped parking. The redevelopment district also has been designed to eliminate small irregular lot subdivision and overcrowding of n the land and to upgrade buildings. A survey was also conducted last February and March to determine the desires of Roosevelt businesses. According to Mark Stewart, Roosevelt City Council, businesses were given surveys and asked to list the four things they viewed as being the most important issues for the redevel-men- t district to work on. The number one problem area, which the 20 returned surveys indicated, was parking. Of those responding, 75 percent felt this was the most important. The second most important problem, listed by 65 percent of those rtsponding, was that of cleaning up vacant lots and percent of the buildings. Fifty-fiv- e responding merchants said greater merchandise selection was their third greatest concern, while 45 percent said the improvement of building appearance was fourth in importance. Stewart stressed the importance of such a survey in the fact that the district is concerned with planning for the future. Its a planning type thing, said Stewart It is taking care of problems before they become critical." Stewart said the desire of the redevelopment district is to stimulate new business but also to maintain the downtown area. Jones and Stewart both stressed that fact the district will not likely become involved in major programs for the next few years. The City should take the next year to look at a proposed project and make plans for it," said Jones. He pointed out the redevelopment district must establish itself before they can bond for any major projects. This was also and the reason the residential undeveloped areas were included. Jones used the example of Brigham City. Gary said Brigham City established their district in 1978. Diving the first yesr they had a tax increment of $15,000-117,00Jones said this was because of inflation and several projects. He stressed that no major projects were undertaken until this year. Jones said the district purchased some land this year and sold it to a developer who build a large $3 million complex. He said that complex has provided an increment of another $15,000, making their total yearly $35,000. increment approximately They can now use that as leverage to said bond for major improvements, Jones. He said without the undeveloped areas, the increments will never become large enough to satisfy bonding agencies. The reason being, run-dow- without the undeveloped sress development cannot take place. The only increments that could take place would be from minor improvements and inflation. Inflation is another area where concern has been expressed. Mayor Ralph Shields said he feels any estimate of the district's assessed valuation doubling within the next ten years is way off base." The mayor said he feels inflation will account for some increment, but not thst much of one. Even though the ordinance to form the Redevelopment District has been passed, the agreement regarding its benefits is still up in the air. However, the City Council, as well as Gary Jones, feel the right decision has been made, one which will, in the long run, Continued on page N 3 The Roosevelt City Council, Monday night, passed an ordinance which forms a redevelopment district for Roosevelt City but many in attendance left the public hearing still against the felt their district while others questions had not received adequate answers. Has the City given consideration to what the projects would be?" asked Gordon Snow. We ought to have a purpose. The City Council explained that no definite projects have been decided upon, but general problem areas have been defined. Such a problem area would be that of parking. Gordon was also concerned with the impact the District will have on the various taxing entities. He requested some figures or estimates that may give those in attendance some idea of what the ! 'n . I l F'-- rr41 1 impact would be, realizing that such impact would change, depending on the changes in assessed valuations and the amount of new development that takes place. According to the Duchesne County Assessor's office, if the assessed valuation of the redevelopment district were to increase by $200,000, the amount lost, or that amount which would otherwise be paid to the County, would be $12,454. The County general fund would lose about $1,564 while the School District would lose about $6,838. Roosevelt City would see a loss of $3,574. It should be remembered that these figures have been selected solely for purposes of example. Lynn Snow expressed a concern there may be a possible shift of the tax burden. He said he realizes the amount lost LHH! I IM!-!- ! !! If M d fe ra 11 Lw iWmrrsTiT.hn it REDEVELOPMENT The shaded areas outline the redevelopment district boun- dories. The City Council passed an or-dinance Monday night, December 28, it lit I till i 'if F which established the district. The dark areas are commercial while the light are residential. The area contains approx- imately 300 acres. right now will nut be great, but continued by posing the question of what happens down the road when the cost of government, as well as the demands upon it, increase. He was concerned with who would pay for these increases. It concerns me that the resolution is already drawn and there are questions that haven't been answered. Commissioner Loryn Ross expressed similar concerns. The County has so much expense that isn't flexible, said Ross. He pointed out that as these non flexible expenses, such as wages, increase, the from will have to come money somewhere. He added that while this chances are that is happening, demands upon County services will also be increasing, thereby increasing the need for funds. The impact from this will depend on the valuation said increases that are experienced, Commissioner Ross. If the district (redevelopment) is locked at the 191 taxing levels, the rest of the people in the county will have to cover the increased costs. Another concern the commissioner expressed was that of just how big the increases in valuations would be. Mr. Ross said he expects the valuations to double within the redevelopment during the next ten years. That is based on what has happened in the last ten years. Ross said that increase will be without additional construction and improvements, but just as the redevelopment district sits now. He said inflation would have that impact. The County Commissioner also expres sed a concern about the upcoming need fur an addition of several mills to pay for the construction of the new hospital. The new development wont help pay for the hospital, said Ross. He pointed out it is too early to determine exactly what the impact will be, and again stressed that it depends on the valuation increases within the district and how soon they occur. Concerns were also expressed by the Duchesne County School District. We're very concerned because each time a new home is built we pick up some children. said Lowell Caldwell Superintendent. Caldwell pointed out that as the area attracts new businesses, people will have to fill the jobs. He said local people may take the new jobs, but that will still leave openings for workers. Caldwell explained the district is gaining between 200 and 250 students each year, the majority of that in Roosevelt. The Superintendent said Districts main concern is the Continued on page 3 |