Council Candidates on the Trolley District

With the upcoming elections, residents in the heart of Ogden are contemplating their choices for Ogden City Council candidates. In an effort to help voters learn more about each candidate, we formulated a list of questions regarding the present and future of the Trolley District:

1. Historically the Trolley District was Ogden’s primary residential community. The neighborhood was connected to downtown via a series of streetcars that ran East-West along 21st, 23rd, 25th, and 27th streets, and the synergy between the neighborhood and the downtown resulted in a vibrant City overall. What role do you feel the revitalization of the Trolley District plays in the overall revitalization of the City of Ogden? How would you support community efforts to promote and enhance the Trolley District?

2. Currently Ogden City, in cooperation with UTA, UDOT, and other stakeholders, is undertaking a formal study of alternative alignments for an improved transit system (probably a streetcar) between downtown and WSU. Some of the proposed alignments would pass through the heart of the Trolley District and then continue south along Harrison Blvd., while other options would go south along Washington and then east on 30th or 36th, bypassing most of the historic Trolley District. What are your views on the trade-offs among the various alignments? Given the trade-offs and challenges, do you have a preference at this time?

3. Also relating to transportation issues, UDOT’s current long-range transportation plan calls for the expansion of Harrison Boulevard to 7-lanes. How do you think such expansion would impact communities along Harrison, including the Trolley District? Would you be an advocate for area neighbors in generating more sustainable and equitable solutions for Harrison? How would you approach the issue with the community and the associated public agencies?

4. Are there any other current issues that you think may have lasting impacts on the Trolley District, that area residents should be aware of?

So far we have received responses from the following candidates (click on their names to view their responses):


Municipal Ward 1
Jesse Garcia
Neil K. Garner

Municipal Ward 3
Doug Stephens
Patrick A. Dean

At Large Seat "A"
Mark B. Hains
Susan Van Hooser

At Large Seat "B"
Bart Blair
David Phipps(Disqualified)

Community Plan Update - Approved!

The Ogden City Council met tonight and unanimously approved our new community plan.  The approved version included changes or clarifications regarding future streetcar alignments and the widening of Harrison.  We will be sure to post a link to the final plan once it is available.  Thanks to all the community members who came out to provide input!  A special thanks to the planning staff, planning commission, and council for engaging Trolley District neighbors in this entire process.  This is a great start for our community, but we still have mountain of work to do!  Please stay tuned for all the many ways to get involved in continuing to improve and celebrate our neighborhood...

Reminder - Community Plan Meeting Tonight!

Tonight, October 20th at 6:00 p.m. at Madison Elementary School - The Ogden City Council will conduct a public input meeting to consider a proposed Community Plan for the East Central (Trolley District) Community.

The planning process began in September 2008. Since that time, citizens, Planning Staff and Planning Commissioners have been involved in formulating the proposed plan. Two previous public meetings have been held, and the Planning Commission is recommending approval of the Plan to the City Council as part of the Ogden City General Plan.

A copy of the plan is available at: www.ogdencity.com/en/government/city_document_search.aspx

It is important that you attend this meeting, to encourage the Council to ratify the plan previously approved by the Planning Commission, and crafted with the thoughtful collaboration of many Trolley District Community members.  There are also a number of issues that the Council may need clarification on - for instance:

• The official naming of the district to "Ogden's Historic Trolley District." 
• Harrison Boulevard's Future:  Please see the previous posting about the long range transportation plan, and our desire to have Harrison become a vibrant multi-modal corridor, rather than a 7-lane highway.
• The desire of residents to realize an eventual streetcar revival - Including dialoging with UTA about incorporating the district as part of the Downtown-WSU transit corridor (25th or 26th street alignment).  

If you are unable to attend the meeting you can submit comments by calling 801-629-8153, or email citycouncil@ci.ogden.ut.us

Additional Photos - Courtesy of the Standard Examiner

These photos were taken by Matt McKnight at the Standard Examiner for the article featured in last Saturday's paper.  We would like to thank the Standard for graciously allowing us to post these photos on our community blog!

WFRC - Transportation Planning Update

Monday night many Trolley District residents attended the first of three public open houses hosted by the Wasatch Front Regional Council.  This walk around style meeting gave residents an opportunity to view long-range transportation plans, and visit with representatives from UDOT and UTA.  Overall the event was very informative, and an opportunity for residents to give feedback to these agencies who are working to shape the roadways, transit, bikeways, and other forms of transportation across the entire region.  Here are a couple of key points:

• If you missed the meeting you can view the current 2007-2030 RTP (Regional Transportation Plan) online.

• UDOT, in partnership with several public agencies, has recently developed a new program called TravelWise aimed at diversifying their transportation focus - to include more than just vehicles and wider roads.

• Harrison Boulevard is currently slated for expansion to a 7-lane regional arterial.  Public input from these meetings might help to shape the future of this corridor.

• UTA was presenting information on the current WSU-Downtown Transit Corridor Study, noting that there is a great deal of resistance from UDOT for including any sort of dedicated lane transit on Harrison Boulevard - despite the fact that a multi-modal approach might be a better long-term transportation solution for this corridor.

Besides giving input on the long range roadway plans it is important for residents to give feedback on how we would like to see our transportation system focused over the next several decades.  Do we want to see more and wider roadways?  Or do we want a more diversified transportation system, including transit, and walkable and bikeable communities?  Planning for transportation means first planning for the future of our communities and neighborhood, then finding the best solutions to get us to where we want to go.  Often these agencies only hear complaints, as opposed to encouragement for sustainable and holistic decisions.

Please take a moment to submit your comments to Mary Guy-Sell (801-965-4872), 4501 S 2700 W, Box 143600, Salt Lake City UT, 84114-3600 / e-mail mguy-sell@utah.gov / fax 801-965-4551

New Name On Track - Our Story in the Standard Examiner

Thanks to the hard work and support of our Trolley District neighbors we are making progress in our effort to recognize and revitalize the area.  Today's front page headline in the Standard Examiner highlights the Trolley District.  I think it's a fabulous article, and a great platform for the community to tell its story!


I want to be sure to credit to all of the Trolley District friends and neighbors - your energy and optimism have made all of this possible!  We all owe a round of applause to our 14-year old webmaster Sheyne Anderson.  His technical genius and artistry gave us our great website!  And special thanks to Kelly, Sue, James, Chelsea, Stephanie, Zoe, Sophia, Bethany, Eva, Zeek, and Jessica for walking the neighborhood placing signs!  And we can't forget Bob McConaughy who first suggested the Trolley District name in our East Central planning meeting!

This is a wonderful community effort, and we would love to continue to engage area residents in our grassroots effort to celebrate and revitalize the Trolley District.  Please join us - send an e-mail to info@trolleydistrict.org - let us know if you would like a sign, to be on our e-mail list, or to help spread the word.


Thank you!

Wasatch Front Regional Council - Transportation Planning Public Open Houses

We received the following notice today from the Wasatch Front Regional Council. This is an opportunity for residents of Ogden and the Trolley District to weigh in on the future of transportation corridors in our community:

"The Wasatch Front Regional Council will sponsor three public open houses to provide information on the current Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and seek public comment on future transportation needs in preparation for the Update to the RTP that will be adopted in 2011 and will extend through the year 2040. The RTP is the template for all major highway and transit capacity expansion projects. Also, bicycle and pedestrian facilities will be addressed. As such, your input is sought as to what you would like to see in the way of future transportation planning and development for your community."

There are scheduled to be three open houses:

Monday, October 5, 2009

Weber County Govt. Center

Commission Breakout Room

2380 South Washington Blvd.

Ogden

4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Salt Lake County Government Center

North Building

2001 South State Street

Salt Lake City

4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Community Center Building

1912 West 1900 South

Syracuse

4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

One area of concern for the Trolley District, and all Ogden residents is the future of Harrison Boulevard. Current long-range transportation plans identify this corridor as a 7-lane regional arterial. The realization of such plans would result in increased traffic, noise, and pollution - as well as bifurcating the entire community. Now is an opportunity for community members and planners to envision a vibrant, multi-modal (complete street), and attractive Harrison corridor that meets the needs of the entire community.

For additional information please visit the Regional Council’s website at www.wfrc.org or at (801) 363-4250 (Salt Lake line) or (801) 773-5559 (Ogden line). Comments may also be given to Sam Klemm at sklemm@wfrc.org or mailed to WFRC, 295 North Jimmy Doolittle Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84116.