Utah County Update: Lehi: Transportation, parks and fiber optic network priorities for the city
By Mark Johnson
Lehi City will focus on three primary objectives in 2020 which have generated much discussion. They are all related in some specific way to the issue that has concerned many in our community and much of our state: growth.
I want to briefly frame what lies ahead in Utah County. I understand concerns regarding future growth. It has the attention of every jurisdiction along the Wasatch Front. Utah County is expected to double in population in the next 30 years and Salt Lake County will also continue to expand rapidly. It is important to understand that the majority of the growth is internal and many who grew up and were educated here are staying due to the strong local economy. I am familiar enough with the demographic projections to understand the importance of controlling what we can and the dangers that lie in ignoring calculated projections. I am very optimistic that with aggressive planning and the appropriate political support, Lehi will continue to be a wonderful place to live and remain the “economic engine of Utah.”
First, Lehi City will focus on creating a regional transportation plan. We will be finishing up the revised General Plan in 2020 and on its heels will be a new Master Transportation Plan. I am excited to address current problems in transportation areas and plan anticipated systems for the future.
One area of concern for many citizens has been the I-15 corridor. I-15 is the main transportation corridor north and south and is expected to be completed Nov. 1, 2020. While Lehi City is appreciative of all of UDOT’s efforts to alleviate some of the stresses in that area, a real issue for the city is the east and west connections. In 2019, Lehi City upgraded 1200 West from a two-lane road to a five-lane road, completed Ashton Boulevard and finished numerous other projects. One fact that is important to understand is that the east/west connectivity is not just a Lehi issue, this is a regional issue. Lehi and the surrounding communities continue to grow, which adds to our transportation issues. All roads pass through Lehi, making this a regional issue. All three cities need to be working together, not just on planning, but on funding projects that cross borders. Again, this is a regional issue that will take planning and funding from all three cities.
I have been meeting regularly with UDOT, UTA, MAG, WFRC, the Point of the Mountain Commission and other key agencies in developing a mutual plan for the development and funding of a successful transportation and transit network for our area. The overall issue is funding. When I-15 is completed, we will most likely see a lot of the transportation funding going north to Salt Lake and Davis counties. Transportation issues will only get worse, which forces the city and other agencies to look at other funding sources. This includes federal transportation funds, CDBG block grant, TIF, bonding and other sources. Transportation will be key to the region’s future success. Everyone involved understands the critical need to plan appropriately and has the motivation to do so.
Second, Lehi City will focus on park development in 2020. Demand for parks from our citizens has grown and we recognize open space as a vital resource. Funding is available for the design of new facilities that will serve both the sports and leisure demands of the citizens. We have been identifying creative funding solutions to build these parks once they are designed.
In 2019, Lehi signed an agreement with Arsenal to install competitive soccer fields at a nearby developing park. The fields will be ready for the 2020 season. The city will install a road, parking and water facilities. Arsenal will maintain the fields in exchange for first right to utilize a certain percentage of the fields. The city is also working on the design of baseball fields at Mellor Rhodes Park. These fields will work in conjunction with Saratoga Springs ball fields to bring in large tournaments and facilitate recreational play.
Another project coming up is the Dry Creek Reservoir. Construction on Dry Creek Reservoir will begin in the next two to three years. While this will be a reservoir for the city, it will provide water activities for the region. Activities will include stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, swimming, canoeing and pavilion areas. Lehi City is also working with the parks and trails committee to look at building out the trail system on Traverse Mountain. The system will eventually connect into Draper’s trail system and provide a regional running, hiking and biking system.
We are currently working on additional property acquisitions for future park space that will sustain our diverse needs in the future. I expect to have finalized designs available for our major park spaces in this upcoming year. Parks and green space are a quality of life issue. While they don’t bring in revenue, they are needed and wanted by our citizens.
Third, Lehi City will develop a plan for a fiber optic network. Lehi City understands the need and demand for a fiber optic network. Both our residents and the business community rely on high-speed Internet. Anyone who has spent time on social media knows there has been discussion regarding fiber and the city has been investigating it comprehensively. It has become a crucial need to the private sector and is of high demand from the citizens. There has been much civic debate about the proper role of this service and whether it should operate as a utility, similar to other services provided by your local government. The reality is, fast, reliable and affordable Internet is needed. We have reached a time where I believe this is an essential asset just as public power, sewer, water and emergency services have become. City administration has been investigating every alternative along with the associated cost and risk.
In this upcoming year, we will be laying out our plan for the installation and maintenance operations for a network that will best serve the citizens of our city.
Lehi remains a wonderful place to live. There are great things coming in 2020 that I believe will not only improve our quality of life but will also help sustain our community into the future.
Mark Johnson has lived in Lehi for over 23 years and has served on the Planning Commission, as a City Council member and now as mayor. His civic service spans over 18 years. He is a local business owner and has many years of experience in consulting municipalities on transportation and development standards as well as entitlement issues for private property owners.