The Next Big Discussion: PROVO CITY'S INTERMODAL HUB AND DOWNTOWN

This post comes from Sherrie Hall-Everett.

On Tuesday, September 27th, at 5:30 pm, residents are invited to participate in a workshop at Provo City Hall (351 W. Center Street) to explore the future of the city's downtown area.

The workshop will focus on the intermodal hub and the downtown area between the Hub and Center Street. The Provo Intermodal Hub was selected as one of six sites in the region to do detailed planning work to encourage *transit-oriented development* (TOD), which is a mix of housing types, shops and office buildings within one-half mile of transit stops. For more information on the overall effort, which is getting national attention, please go to www.wasatchchoice2040.com.

Market research indicates that Utah County will add 200,000 new households by 2040 and that 25% (50,000) of those households will want to live in an "urban setting" within walking distance of shopping, jobs and transit. The workshop will give residents the opportunity to have a voice in transforming the area into a vibrant center which will give people new living choices consistent with market demand, revitalize an area close to downtown, enhance city revenues to keep taxes down, and provide a new gathering place. As the historical center for Utah County jobs, education, culture, etc., Provo has the opportunity to capture a larger share of the projected growth by transforming its downtown to capture more growth around future commuter rail and bus rapid transit lines that will be arriving in the next several years. These new transportation facilities, as well as Provo's existing downtown amenities, provide the opportunity for renewed economic and residential growth in the downtown.

RSVPs should be given to Mary at MDavies@envisionutah.org or (801) 303-1459. Residents are also invited to participate by taking a survey at www.provo.org starting on Tuesday.