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.