August 11, 2009 Neighborhood Meeting with Norm Chambers

Sponsored by the Federal Heights Neighborhood Association

Location: LDS Chapel, 1300 E. Fairfax Rd
7:00 p.m.
Attendance: about 70 residents
Presiding Officer: Beth Arnett, FHNA Public Affairs Officer

Minutes

Beth introduced speakers Norm Chambers, Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Affairs at the University of Utah, and Jason Davis, Deputy Director for UDOT Region 2, and special guests. Mike Barry, Salt Lake City Transportation Department, was absent.

Beth acknowledged FHNA’s Parking and Traffic Committees and gave email addresses:
For membership: fedheights@yahoo.com
For information about the organization: http://www.fedheight.blogspot.com/

Beth began by reading questions previously submitted in writing from neighbors.
Question: What is the cause of increased congestion and truck traffic on Wolcott, Federal Way and the intersection of 100 South and 1300 East?
Chambers: There are several construction projects in progress. One is a temporary parking lot for 82 spaces where the Military Science Bldg used to be.
Many questions about the parking structure ensued.
Chambers: Eventually, the temporary lot will be replaced by a parking structure for around 350 cars. It will probably comprise 4 stories, one below ground and 3 above. The lot will require an A sticker until 3:00 p.m., but will be open to a student sticker after 3:00.
Eventually, new parking will be built for the hospital behind (east of) the hospital.
Also, there are sewer and water main construction projects for the new USTAR center to be built on the golf course, which had no such facilities.
Alma Allred, Director of Commuter Services, provided a very helpful map of the University and its environs.
Question: What can be done about the dangerous Butler Av crosswalk at 100 South?
Chambers and Davis: the city is not likely to put in another stoplight so close to the Wolcott stoplight. Chambers expressed willingness to meet with the city to discuss alternatives, including flashers or other warning devices. Members noted the destruction of flags at the corner.
Question: Will there be changes in the current traffic patterns involving 1st and 2nd avenues and Penrose Drive?
Chambers and Davis: Unequivocally, no.
Question: Through traffic comes in from all of the avenues, from 3rd avenue to 11th, as well as from S. Temple and 100 South. It heads down University to 5th South because there are no stoplights except at 100 South. What has the University and UDOT done to reduce the flow of outsider traffic on this route?
Chambers: The university’s Neighborhood Traffic Committee has met for the past three years to discuss periphery traffic, though admittedly most attention has focused on Foothill Blvd. The next traffic committee meeting will be on Oct. 2 at 6:45 p.m. at the Stadium, 6th Floor. Chambers recommended that concerned residents attend.
Beth moved on to a question about N. Campus Drive: what are the University’s plans for this street?
A resident gave an impassioned defense of the area and asked the university to preserve it as it is.
Chambers: there are no plans for reconstruction of the area for at least 20 years. The University is renovating the Kennecott Bldg. and will need to use it for many years to recoup its investment.
Grave concern was expressed over the curve in N. Campus Drive.
Davis said he would visit the area, review the accident history, and suggest alternatives for increasing safety.
Beth asked for a report back to FHNA about the findings.
Resident: The changes eliminating the “Green Hill” are written into the Master Plan, which makes it part of the University’s thinking.
Chambers: if and when the University decides to go forward with that plan, there will be ample opportunity for neighborhood input.
Question: Please address plans to limit traffic from the north city and areas north of the city.
Chambers: The inconvenience of getting from Frontrunner to the University has deterred people from the North from taking Frontrunner. UTA has cooperated in establishing a new bus route, to begin the first day of school, that will go directly from the central station to campus and the hospital. He hopes that students will find it more efficient than driving.
Question: Have studies been done about how vehicular traffic affects air quality in University neighborhoods?
Answer: Not directly, though this is a concern. There will also be more trains from Sandy directly to the University in the fall, in hopes of cutting down car traffic.

Beth announced time was up and thanked the speakers for their time and information.

FHNA Sponsored Meeting on Traffic & Parking

The FHNA is sponsoring a meeting open to all Federal Heights residents regarding the traffic and parking impact in our neighborhood from the University of Utah's Master Expansion Plan. Speakers will be Norm Chambers from the University of Utah and representatives from both UDOT and City Transportation.

Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Time: 7-8 PM
Location: LDS Chapel 1300 E Fairfax (just south of Shriners Hospital)

Salt Lake City Police Department
Public Relations Unit
315 East 200 South • PO Box 145497 • Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5497

August 3, 2009 Contact Information
Press Release Sgt. Fred Ross
For Immediate Release
Phone: (801) 301-0552
Night Out Against Crime Activities Announced
SLCPD to take part in community events
SALT LAKE CITY – The Salt Lake City Police Department and the community are again partnering for the annual Night Out Against Crime tomorrow night.
“The solution to crime and public disorder is not necessarily more law enforcement,” said Chris Burbank, Chief of Police. “Significant impact is achieved when neighbors work in partnership with the Police to make their communities safer. Night Out Against Crime is a great vehicle to reach out to one another.”
Residents will be asked to turn on their outside lights and hold front porch vigils during Night Out Against Crime. Officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department – including specialty units like SWAT, K-9, Gang Unit and Bike Patrol – will attend a variety of community events, including parades, block parties and cookouts. Residents are invited to meet them at the following locations and times:
1409 E. Butler Ave., 6:30-8:30 p.m.
1033 S. Lake St., 6:30-8:30 p.m.
1100 N. 2200 W., 5-8:30 p.m.
Briarcliff Ave. and Grenoble St., 5-8 p.m.
1313 W. California Ave., 5:30-9 p.m.
1185 S. Windsor St. 7-9 p.m.
2200 E. Roosevelt Ave., 7-8:30
National Night Out Against Crime is a year-long community building campaign that is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

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