Latest news with #UtahTransitAuthority
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Layton leaders OK development plan around FrontRunner station, hope for ‘vibrant area'
The areas around the Clearfield, Ogden and Roy FrontRunner stations in northern Utah may have more long-term development potential than in Layton due to availability of open land. In fact, the proposed Layton Station Area Plan — approved by the Layton City Council last month, but still subject to certification by the Utah Transit Authority — spells out some of the limitations. 'While minimal vacant land exists for larger-scale development, opportunities exist for smaller-scale new development that will benefit the station area and the goals of the Layton Station Area Plan,' reads the planning document. At any rate, Layton leaders — like officials in other locales with FrontRunner stations — are obliged by state law to craft a plan, and even if future development options are limited, officials see potential. 'We want this to be a vibrant area,' said Weston Applonie, who heads the Layton Community and Economic Development Department. The Layton FrontRunner station is located at 150 S. Main in the city's historic downtown area. In contrast to the Clearfield, Ogden and Roy stations, with 56, 30 and 80 acres of adjacent land proposed for redevelopment, respectively, and ambitious long-term development aspirations, much of the area around the Layton station is already occupied by 'stable development.' That, the plan says, includes residential neighborhoods and commercial and business areas. At the same time, UTA owns just four acres of property around the Layton station, which is used for parking. 'As for development, UTA is working with the city to potentially expand FrontRunner park and ride capacity,' said UTA spokesman Gavin Gustafson. UTA owns about 18 acres around the Roy FrontRunner Station and 17 acres around the Ogden FrontRunner station, which is factored in the long-term mixed-use development proposals in each locale. Broadly, station area plans are meant to serve as blueprints for long-term growth around FrontRunner stops that align with UTA hopes of promoting transit-oriented development at the locations. Central in transit-oriented development is higher-density housing, theoretically creating a pool of FrontRunner users and thereby bolstering use of the light-rail system as the population along the Wasatch Front surges and helping alleviate congestion on the state's road network. In Layton, even if there are land limitations, the station area plan — building on earlier planning documents for the area crafted by city leaders — notes medium-density and mixed-use redevelopment opportunities in some pockets. Indeed, east of the FrontRunner station across Main Street, a six-story 253-unit apartment building and two smaller commercial buildings are taking shape on land that used to be part of Cedarwood Mobile Home Park. City leaders' hopes, according to the plan, are to create a 'vibrant, urban center.' More specifically, the document — which will face scrutiny from both the Wasatch Front Regional Council, a planning body, and UTA officials — calls for 'a mixture of uses and amenities to attract both daytime and nighttime populations.' Even more specifically, development priorities in the coming five years include installation of a pedestrian bridge near the FrontRunner station connecting Kay's Creek Trail on the east side of Main Street to the west side of the rail line. The plan calls for continued support for the development of future phases of the development on the east side of Main Street, called Layton Station, and efforts to promote 'multi-story moderate- to high-density housing' in the zone. The Layton Station mixed-use project, not to be confused with the Layton Station Area Plan, eventually calls for removal of the portion of Cedarwood that remains so the land can be redeveloped, though Applonie said city leaders haven't yet received a plan proposal. The area around the FrontRunner station isn't meant to replace the bustling commercial area around Layton Hills Mall, said Applonie, but rather to be 'developed in its own vibrant way.'
Axios
2 days ago
- General
- Axios
Scoop: UTA to skip Utah Pride and all 2025 festivals during review
For the first time since 2022, the Utah Transit Authority will skip the Utah Pride Festival, following a pause on all festival and parade participation for the remainder of the year. Why it matters: Utah GOP lawmakers have previously expressed concerns over UTA's participation in the state's largest annual LGBTQ+ celebration. In 2023, text messages revealed some of them urged UTA to pull a rainbow-decorated bus that was set to appear in the parade. State of play: UTA spokesperson Gavin Gustafson told Axios that sitting out this year's events is necessary to "conduct a comprehensive review of our fare agreements, ensuring consistency and responsible stewardship of public funds." Gustafson said UTA board members and administrators made the decision in April and that it's centered on Ticket as Fare agreements, which allow tickets to approved events to serve as UTA passes. Zoom in: Axios obtained an April 2 email sent to senior leadership by executive director Jay Fox calling for the immediate cancellation of "all current agreements, plans, purchases, or discussions related to any UTA festival and parade participation this year." The email said the agency plans to provide a report in October to state lawmakers detailing the agreements and "their value." It also included talking points and guidance for responding to questions around the directive because it "may raise questions and concerns," and it told management to expect employee disappointment over the decision.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Provo, Orem leaders hope new UTA service will fill ‘gaps' in fast-growing county
Utah County remains the state's fastest-growing county, which requires extensive planning, including ways to handle new transportation challenges. 'Growth is coming and we have got to get ahead of it,' said Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. 'We can't sit and wait until it's a problem.' She sees public transit as a potential solution for moving more people around more efficiently than having everyone drive. Orem Mayor Dave Young's city has FrontRunner, bus rapid transit and traditional bus services. Still, both he and Kaufusi say there are still 'gaps' in connectivity — something that they hope will be fixed by Utah Transit Authority's newest Utah County service. The state agency extended its UTA on Demand service to Utah County for the first time last month, adding an 8.6-square-mile zone covering the west side of Orem and Provo, including destinations like Provo Airport and Provo City Hall. The microtransit service blends traditional bus operations with ridesharing, allowing customers to hail a van with other riders heading in a similar direction. Both mayors say it should help west-side residents connect with the transit options that are easier to find east of the FrontRunner line, while offering better connections to key places like the fast-growing airport. 'This on-demand service really is the final touch in making that happen,' Young said. 'This is designed to bring that final level together.' UTA first tested the concept in southwest Salt Lake County in 2019, reaching an area that experienced similar transit gaps. It became a permanent fixture two years later, before the agency added new service areas to Salt Lake City's west side and parts of Davis and Tooele counties. Ridership has grown as a result. The agency reported having 2,207 average weekday boardings in April, an 18% increase from last April and its highest monthly average since adding the service. UTA Director Jay Fox hopes the trend continues as it extends to a crucial part of Utah County. 'One of the reasons on-demand coming here is a pretty big deal is because it's been so successful everywhere else,' Fox said. 'You know right away that bringing it to an area, it's going to connect people to places they couldn't connect to before directly; it's going to be an incredible success. ... For both cities, it's going to just drive so much mobility.' It could also spark new transit service down the road. UTA used heat maps to carve out a traditional bus service route in southwest Salt Lake County that also debuted last month. The same could happen in Utah County. In the meantime, UTA on Demand will be available within the Orem/Provo zone from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day from Monday through Saturday. One-way rides are $2.50, the same cost as a bus.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man allegedly steals $30 tool kit, punches security guard in Salt Lake City
SALT LAKE CITY () — A 51-year-old man was taken into custody early Monday morning after allegedly stealing a tool set from a home improvement store and punching a security guard on his way out, according to court documents. Jay Frank Hemphill, 51, is facing a second-degree felony robbery charge after allegedly stealing a $30 tool set on Sunday, May 4. Documents say Hemphill was attempting to walk out of a store near 1330 S 300 W in Salt Lake City without paying for a tool kit when he was approached by a security guard. Buildings damaged in explosion at Salt Lake City gas station, investigation underway The guard tried to stop him from stealing the product when Hemphill allegedly punched him in the face, breaking his glasses. Police said he 'took off running' after the incident and boarded a Trax train. The Salt Lake City officer gave dispatch the suspect's information after reviewing video footage of the incident. The Utah Transit Authority was then able to confirm that Hemphill boarded the train and UTA police took him into custody. He was booked in the Salt Lake County Jail at approximately 1:10 a.m. on Monday. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Jazz extend coach Will Hardy's contract through 2031 Reigning Cup champion Joey Logano gets 1st win this season in overtime at Texas 3 dead, 5 injured in a shooting at Arizona restaurant, police say Trump does not rule out taking Greenland by force Man allegedly steals $30 tool kit, punches security guard in Salt Lake City Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
UTA rail maintenance worker dies after being struck by vehicle
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A Utah Transit Authority rail maintenance worker has passed away after being struck by a vehicle while working in Murray late April. 'We are deeply saddened to share the loss of our colleague, Juan Madrid, a dedicated and beloved rail maintenance worker,' a statement from the Utah Transit Authority reads. 'Juan passed away from injuries after being struck by a motor vehicle while he was performing work in a rail crossing on April 24.' UTA said they are providing counseling and benefits for the Madrid family, as well as offering counseling services to employees. PREVIOUSLY: Hit-and-run suspect in custody after hitting two UTA workers in Murray 'The safety and well-being of UTA employees and their families is our highest priority. We are actively assisting the Murray Police Department as they conduct a thorough investigation into this incident. A second rail maintenance worker who was also seriously injured in the incident is thankfully at home recovering.' Murray Police confirmed a suspect turned themselves in after allegedly hitting the two Utah Transit Authority employees working near a FrontRunner railroad crossing on April 24. UTA spokesperson Gavin Gustafson told a group of four employees were doing maintenance work around 1:30 a.m. near 5900 South and 300 West in Murray. As they were finishing their work, a white SUV traveling eastbound struck two of the employees. Gustafson said one employee was left in serious condition and the other was rushed into surgery in critical condition. Murray Police said the suspect — identified as Brandon Palma, 29 — initially fled the scene on foot, but later turned himself in to police. He now faces felony charges of failure to remain at an accident involving a serious injury. In a statement provided to Gavin Gustafson, a spokesperson for UTA, reminded drivers to slow down in work zones and eliminate distractions that could pull attention away from the road. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. MJ Jewkes contributed to this report. UTA rail maintenance worker dies after being struck by vehicle Haeran Ryu wins first LPGA Black Desert Championship $95M settlement over Siri eavesdropping claims approved: How to make a claim Republicans face key hang-ups on Trump agenda bill as House heads into crucial week 17-year-old confirmed dead after being swept away, drowning in Weber River Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
