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Show ee Se continue to the loading ramp of the Town Ski Lift. A: that could dd a lot of value to Sweeney’s properties, because they would become Me) Proposed Ski Bridge Over Park Avenue: Is It Good for Skiing or Bad for Old Town? “ski-in, por it was only a matter of time. When the Park City Planning Commission and City Council gave approval in the mid-1980s for the Park City Ski Area to build a chair lift terminal at the top of Park Avenue, it could spell only big development there. That time may be close at hand. The Sweeney family has proposed a 40-foot-wide ski bridge that — it is planned to be a large structure — but it would permanently close Woodside Avenue — one of only two streets that run the entire length of the historic section of town. In addition, The Park City Ski Area is planning to install snow making machinery that will make for better skiing but also will be noisy. would often used during night-time hours. he proposal is a good one, says Pat Sweeney. In exchange for the city allowing the bridge, Sweeney says his family would reduce some of the allowable density in buildings that already have been approved. In addition, the Sweeney family would dedicate some of their land, on the west side of Park Avenue, as a public park. And, of course, the skiing would improve because the ski run would continue the Quittin’ Time ski run across Woodside Avenue and over Park Avenue at 8th Street to their condominium development and commercial property. The proposal would create a ski resort at the bottom of Main Street. The Park City Planning Commission and City Council will vote whether to allow the ski bridge in the coming weeks. Not only would the ski bridge change the looks of town a great deal Snow making machinery is most * Arbitration ° Facilitation / Real Estate ¥ Construction ¥ Environmental / Governmental /¥ Development ¥ Employment ¥ Family business P. F. Sincock & Co. 1776 Park Ave. #4 © Box 770-254 Park City, Utah 84060 SIDEWALK — the most profitable designation in the ski industry. Presently, skiers must walk about 100 yards from the end of the ski run to the ski lift terminal. By contrast, if the bridge is not approved, the Sweeneys say they plan to build to the maximum on both sides of Park Avenue. At a public hearing, residents spoke in favor and against the bridge. Park City businessman Fred Moore, who owns property in the immediate area said the ski bridge would be good for skiing and tourism and make Park City like the great resorts of Europe. But other residents, like Scott Hanson and Mary Wintzer said the bridge would be too much impact on the historic district of Park City. Wintzer said the uniqueness and ark P:. * Training ms City merchants may be paythe price of recognition, or they are going out of business because they can’t meet that price — increased rents. Getting your town on the We've resolved hundreds of personal, business, professional and community disputes . . . plus provided training in conflict management skills. Let's explore how we can help you. Y Partnerships KIER BRIDGE international map of tourists stops difficult. Staying in your that happens may also trick. That is what Main chants are saying as they is town once be a good Street merwatch their rents go up. During the past year, 22 businesses on Main Street went under. That represents more stores going out of business than in any other year. The question is why? 3 801-649-21 Were has they Park poor businessmen City’s popularity speculation over the and 2002 or the Winter Games pushed rents beyond the price its renters can afford? In Atlanta, Ga., where the Summer Games are one year away, rent gouging has been no secret. But here, in Utah, the Olympics are still 6 1/2 years down the road. One DANA Honesty, Integrity Experience Stag Main Street businesswoman Sheila Haloff, says there may be a number of factors leading to increased rents. “It's hard to put your finger on WILLIAMS PREMIER REALTY historic value of Old Town could be compromised by the bridge. “I don’t understand why we are doing this,” she said. And Hanson said Old Town would be greatly impacted by the project. “We are talking about a lot of impact so people don’t have to take off their ski boots.” Wis the ski bridge idea was proposed several years ago, representatives from the Park City Fire District argued that closing Woodside Avenue would make access to upper Woodside more difficult when responding to fires and medical emergencies. That time, the bridge was denied. @ Main Street Merchants Must Pay Price of Success { DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES ° Mediation ski-out” PARSING GARAGE ENTRANCE (ON STH STREET — 2 GROUND FLOGR COMMERCIAL BELOW SKIER BRIDGE ARCHWAY OVER p it,” Haloff said. it from have ©6068 01-649-4400 800-825-8889 B both a point, “You have sides. The to look at landlords taxes are going up.” it may be more than that, she said. “And the fact that the Olympics are coming.” PAGE 14 Haloff, who owns and operates Rugged Elegance, a clothing store, says Main Street merchants are trying to make everyone, including the Parl City Council, aware of the rent problem. “I wish there was something they (the city council) could do. I just don’t know what that would be,” she said. In the past five years, rents along Main Street have just about doubled, from about $12 per-square-foot to about $24 per-square-foot. Joe Tesch, president of the Historic Main Street Association, thinks there may be some Olympic greed in thé air. “We think rents are going up drastically.” And at least some landlords along Main Street are not signing leases beyond 2001, Tesch noted. hat could set the stage for some drastic increases just before the 2002 Games. But Tesch is quick to point out that the matter needs more study. Which is precisely what the Main Street merchants are doing now, he said. “Once we find out what the rents are, then at least people renting stores will know when their lease is out of line.” Rent controls don’t work well, Tesch explained. But, he added, if rents get too high on Main Street, Park City will lose its unique flavor. “That’s what happened in places like Aspen... All the shops will be national chains.” @ |
