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Show The Ogden Valley News Photo by Bruce Grandin of Eden. Your Community Newspaper July 15, 2023 USPS MARKETING MAIL POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 11 EDEN UT POSTAL PATRON EDEN-LIBERTY-84310 HUNTSVILLE-84317 OGDEN CANYON- 84401 HCR 843AO UDOT Announces Ogden Canyon Resurfacing Project: Commuter Delays Expected Liberty Days 4th of July fun. Photo courtesy of Rick Egan, Salt Lake Tribune. WFRC Announces Opportunities to Review & Provide Input on Draft 2024-2029 Transportation Improvement Program & Public Participation Plan The Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC), in conjunction with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), and the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), has identified hundreds of priority transportation projects totaling more than $10 billion to improve mobility, strengthen the economy, and enhance quality of life along the Wasatch Front. The public is now invited to provide input on the selected projects. The public comment period on the Draft 2024-2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is now open and runs through July 29, 2023. Members of the public can give input via an interactive map linked at wfrc.org/ tip-2024-2029-comment-map/ or by attending one of two open houses: • Tuesday, July 11 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Salt Lake Central Station at 250 S. 600 W. in Salt Lake City (area between the TRAX and FrontRunner platforms) • Thursday, July 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Ogden Intermodal Center at 2350 Wall Ave. in Ogden (bus loop area) Representatives will be available at both open houses to answer questions and take comments about the TIP projects. The Draft 2024-2029 TIP helps to meet current transportation needs while simultaneously addressing critical future priorities throughout the region. Projects are funded with federal, state and local resources for the next six years. Major capacity projects in the TIP are selected from Utah’s Unified Transportation Plan. Utah’s transportation agencies work together to develop Utah’s Unified Transportation Plan using extensive analysis and careful planning to identify and prioritize projects for the coming decades. The transportation system is planned and designed to consider growth, development and quality of life goals under the broader Wasatch Choice Vision. A variety of projects are included for funding in the Draft 2024-2029 TIP, including new on-route chargers at key locations for UTA’s WFRC cont. on page 3 The Future of Water in Utah: How to preserve this precious resourceableassupply population grows of high-quality water. Utah was fortunate Utah’s diverse landscape, from impressive mountain vistas to stunning red rock formations, sets the stage for a wide range of recreation opportunities and economic advantages. Perhaps less acknowledged but more important, though, is how Utah’s unique topography provides life-sustaining water for communities, agriculture, wildlife, and more. Well-positioned mountains capture the bulk of Utah’s annual precipitation, which is stored in the form of snow. This moisture then supplies the mountain streams and rivers that fill reservoirs. Precipitation also recharges the groundwater in wells and springs. These water sources supply the year-round running water in Utahns’ faucets and agricultural pipes, allowing for abundant life in an otherwise arid climate. Utah’s vitality and prosperity depend on a reli- to experience record-breaking snowfall last winter. Unfortunately, one good water year cannot reverse 20 years of below-average precipitation. Drought has threatened the future of Utah’s water supply and consistent population growth adds to this strain. State and local leaders recognize the need to plan for the challenges that come with growth— including managing Utah’s precious water supply—and welcome suggestions and input from the public through the “Guiding Our Growth” survey (guidingourgrowth.utah.gov). Water: It’s Everyone’s Issue - Water sustains nearly everything Utahns value, including families, food, production, community prosperity, natural habitats, wildlife, recreation, and energy production. All of these uses compete for the state’s finite water supply. “Utah is one of the driest states in the nation and one of the fastest growing,” said Candice Hasenyager, director of the Utah Division of Water Resources. WATER IN UTAH cont. on page 11 The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) will begin a resurfacing project of State Route 39 in Weber County from State Route 203 (Harrison Blvd.) to State Road 158 (Pineview Dam). The project’s objective, or aim, is to preserve the life of the roadway. This resurfacing process will help increase the longevity of the road surface, address roadway imperfections, and enhance motorist safety by providing good skid resistance for vehicles. The project will begin as early as July 10. Work hours will be Monday through Thursday, sunrise to 3:00 p.m. The project is expected to take 40 days to complete; however, schedules are subject to change due to weather and material availability. All lanes will remain open Friday, weekends, and holidays. During paving operations, expect lane closures. One-way alternating traffic will be required using flaggers and a pilot-car to lead vehicles through a moving construction zone. Motorists should expect moderate delays upward to 15 minutes, particularly during peak hours. After some variable patching of pavement along the route, the resurfacing work will begin at Harrison Blvd. at 12th St. and move eastward up the canyon. Be cautious and slow down near construction barrels and cones. Speed reductions will OGDEN CANYON cont. on page 8 Weber County Planning News By Shanna Francis County Moves Forward with Industrial Park Plans - Weber County Commissioners have been working on plans to create, what they’re calling, the “Promontory Commerce Center,” on the west side of the county, around 5900 West and 900 South, which would be accessed by 12th Street. The large industrial park is proposed to cover approximately 355 acres. In comparison, Ogden’s Business Depot is just over 1,000 acres. The project is being driven, in part, by managing partner the BlackPine Group. Representative Daniel Stephens noted that the center, at build out, would generate approximately $350 million a year in wages, and, indirectly, create 2,800 jobs. In response to the proposal, Weber County commissioners are looking to create a “Promontory Commerce Community Reinvestment Project Area” that would allow for use of tax-increment financing, or TIF funds to develop the necessary infrastructure in the business park. In early May 2023, the county commissioners approved a measure allowing county staff members to begin looking at creating three proposed public infrastructure districts (PIDs) in the Promontory footprint. PIDS are allowed to issue debt for infrastructure improvements that is repaid from property taxes or assessments to property owners. Instead of the developer paying for the necessary infrastructure, taxpayers help fund this construction element, i.e., roads, sewer and water, stormwater drainages, fire protection, etc. On June 27, the commissioners approved the three proposed PIDS. The approved PID governing document allows for the bonding of up to $150 million in debt, or $450 million in all between the three PIDs. The PID bonds have a 31-year window to be paid off. PIDS are also allowed to use taxincrement financing—deferring property tax revenue generated by new development in a zone that would otherwise go to traditional taxing entities like the county and school districts. The targeted property where the industrial park is being proposed is currently agricultural lands. Public Hearing on Ordinance Amendment to Implement Waterwise Landscaping Regulations - Weber Basin Conservancy District (Weber Basin) has been pressuring cities and counties to participate in “waterwise” programs aimed at saving water to accommodate increased development within the state. One so-called program is “flip your strip,” where grassy areas are ripped out and replaced by non-green materials. In response, Weber County is proposing a county-initiated ordinance that aligns with Weber Basin’s “turf removal incentive” program. The community can attend a public hearing on the issue July 18 at 5:00 p.m. in the Weber Center’s commission chambers on the first floor at 2380 Washington Blvd., in Ogden. Please see the public hearing notice on page 3. Ogden Pioneer Days: Celebrating Since 1934 The organizers of the annual Ogden Pioneer Days rodeo and community celebration are putting the finishing touches on plans to produce the summer’s biggest and best statehood celebration, which is held each July in Ogden since 1934! Only Ogden Pioneer Days can deliver the type of blood-pumping, hand-slapping, adrenaline-soaked good times that can appeal to both the iPod and Johnny Cash generations. Even with fireworks, a rock-and-roll soundtrack, and a JumboTron, Ogden Pioneer Days takes us back to where we came from—to the roots of our free country, to the hearty stock of men and women who trekked westward into the rocky, golden horizon of the Wild West. Events have been planned throughout July: an art show; the Lindquist Family Pops Concert and Fireworks, the Miss Rodeo Utah pageant, a Horse and Hitch Parade, the Grande Parade, and more are all part of this year’s celebration. To be sure, the capstone events of the celebration are the five nights of a PRCA rodeo at Ogden Pioneer Stadium—Wednesday, July 19 through Monday, July 24, with a break on Sunday, July 23—and the Grande Parade on Washington Boulevard on Pioneer Day. Visit ogdenpioneerdays.com/events-activities/schedule-of-events/ for dates, times, and places.\ Tickets for the rodeo are available at ogdenpioneerdays.com/prca-rodeo/schedule-tickets/ and also at Ogden Pioneer Days corporate offices, 1810 Washington Blvd. in Ogden. New $24.5 Million RAISE Grant to Improve Wasatch Front Area Transit Access Funds Planned for 15 Priority Projects The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded a $24.5 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant for 15 Wasatch Front region projects that will improve transit access. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) applied for the grant, in close collaboration with Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG), Utah Transit Authority (UTA), Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) and local communities. Residents will benefit from pedestrian and bicycle improvements made around 10 light rail stations and 13 bus stops serving our region. Improving access to transit is a shared effort among all transportation agencies and local communities. A critical component to strengthen Utah’s transportation network and increase transit access are connections in the first and last mile of individual travel experiences. This, in turn, provides greater access to the opportunities that foster upward economic mobility—education, employment, healthcare, social services, in addition to shopping and recreation. Projects take a variety of forms, including continuous sidewalks, improvements to intersections, new trails and paths, and so much more. The result is less traffic congestion, decreased pollution, more household savings and more access to services, jobs, and educational opportunities. Additionally, first- and lastmile connectivity is an important component of the Wasatch Choice Vision—our communities’ RAISE GRANT cont. on page 10 These five colorful lads are the Harding brothers: Harrison, Brooks, Connor, Garrett and Tanner. They have been coming to the Huntsville parade for over 25 years. The live in different towns throughout Utah. Photo submitted by Bruce Grandin. |