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.

From Your City Council Representative

I am posting information from our City Council Representative, Sherrie Hall Everett. 

The Municipal Council will decide Tuesday Night whether or not to raise your Property Tax. I just posted a blog entry discussing the proposed property tax increase. [see it here]

In that post I talk about three reasons we are having this discussion. I want your informed decision about the level of services we offer in our city, the timing of these proposed increases and the reality of the city budget issues we are trying to help our citizens understand.

At the bottom of that post is a survey. I hope you will take it.
I hope you will get your neighbors to take it, too. It will provide me with some valuable insight as I work to make a decision for the community and for you.

I'm not anxious to raise taxes for a lot of reasons I cover in the blog. A paramount concern is the current state of the economy and the rates and fees that have already been adjusted in the budget. We've held multiple information meetings and have had some very good discussions with many throughout the city. I've heard from many of you that you have appreciated the transparency and effort. The audio from the Lakeview Information Meeting will be posted on the city website sometime this morning. <Note from Neighborhood blogger: I looked for the recording and couldn't find it Monday afternoon>

It is time for us to all understand and engage in the opportunity to decide together where we want to go as a city. Taking this survey and leaving your thoughts in the comment section will be a great help.
Here's a link to the information posted by the Council.

The final decision

You may also come to the public hearing on Tuesday, August 9th.

   Truth in Taxation Hearing
   Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.
   Council Chambers
   351 West Center Street
 
Working to keep you informed,
   Sherrie Hall Everett

Westside Story

Although we are not technically part of the area of Provo called "Provo's West Side", we are connected and often impacted by their growing pains.  The name West Side came about by description and not by any official act.  However, the City is now entertaining thoughts on changing the name officially for that area of Provo and a survey with several suggestions is found on the city website.  Feel free to voice your opinion or suggest a new name.
For more information on the reason for the name change, see the Herald article.

Looking Ahead at Provo City

West Provo neighborhood leaders are holding discussions with the Mayor and Provo City Council members regarding the future of Provo City and you are invited to join in the conversations.  The first of the series of discussions was last week (See the April 11 post); the second is at 7 PM on Thursday, April 21st at Lakeview Elementary School. 
The topics being discussed this week are:

• West Side Connector
• Long Range Transportation Vision
• Provo River Delta Restoration
• Vision 2030
• Airport
• Economic Development
• “Lake District” Name Change
• Utah Lake Commission

City Council Representative Sherry Hall Everett has more information on her website. The third discussion in this series is scheduled for May 12th.

Vision 2030

Vision 2030 is Provo's process for defining a 20 year vision for the Provo community. Be part of that vision. Meet Mayor John Curtis and Council Member Sherrie Hall Everett an at informal discussion about growth for West Provo on Tuesday, April 12th, 7 PM at Lakeview Elementary School. Come learn about infrastructure, economic development, the airport masterplan, Utah Lake Commission, land use and  transportation planning, and their impacts on city budgets and your property tax.  Transportation topics can include plans for the Northwest Connector, Westside Connector, Geneva Road, I-15, and Center Street. 
Our Council Member has on her website tools that allow you to receive email notices of future dates in this series of discussions.  You can also participate in surveys and submit questions for future.