I have been bombarded with questions due in relation to West Valley City's first ever General Obligation bond election which will appear on this November's Ballot. The City Council unanimously approved placing this on the ballot for various and differing reason. However, it will ultimately be up to the voters to decide whether or not we take this opportunity to reinvest in our community and give a kick start to what could be the premier transit oriented development in the State, namely the West Valley City Center. Below is a sheet of frequently asked questions and answers in relation to the bond election including a list of projects that would be funded. When you take a look you will notice that several of these projects are probably close to your home or place of business, thereby immediately increasing the value and attractiveness of that neighborhood. As always if you have any additional questions or comments please feel free to contact me.
Fact Sheet
Proposition 3 “Parks and Trails for West Valley City Families”
Q: What will West Valley City be voting on?
A: On the ballot this November, West Valley registered voters will have the opportunity to vote on the city’s first ever general obligation bond. This bond, which could be up to $25,000,000, would fund a variety of parks and trails throughout the city. The bond would be paid back over 20 years using property tax revenues. General obligation bonds are used because they have the lowest interest rates.
Q: How much will the bond cost an average family?
A: For a homeowner with an average home (valued at $177,000), there would be a property tax
increase of $25.02 per year. This breaks down to less than $2.09 per month, or less than 7 cents per day.
Q: What exactly will the bond go to pay for?
A: The bond will help complete dozens of projects in three major categories:
1) TRAILS. For biking to work, walking to school, or exercising with the family, the bond will be able to complete the city’s Crosstowne Trail. This runs at about 2700 South from the Jordan River, through the Decker Lake area, west through Lake Park and Highbury, and all the way
to Magna at 7200 West. The bond will also complete the Utah & Salt Lake Canal Trail, which
runs from 4000 West and 4700 South along the canal and behind Academy Park, Kennedy
Junior High, Woodledge Park, and West View Park out to 7200 West and 3900 South. These
trails will tie into the future Mountain View Corridor trail along 5800 West, and the existing
Jordan River Parkway.
2) NEW GRANGER PARK/CITY CENTER GREENSPACE. Designed to both replace Granger Park (which is being used for the new Granger High School), and to create a “town square”
or “village green” of sorts, this 4 to 7 acre space will become a gathering place and regional
amenity for the entire city. Located adjacent to the TRAX station by city hall and featuring
water features and picnic areas, this space is intended to spur economic development and
to keep the positive momentum of the new Valley Fair Mall redevelopment flowing west.
3) NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS. Seventeen new neighborhood parks will benefit from the bond,
resulting in a city park within 2,000 yards of every family in the city and increasing the city’s
open space inventory by 20%. This will include the city’s first off-leash dog park and skate
park.
Sunset Hills Park (U-111 and 6400 S) 2 acres
Falcon Crest Park (4055 S 7060 W) 1.5 acres
Fox Tail Park completion (6880 W 3045 S) 2 acres
Wetland Park series of trails, walkways and interpretive signs through 40 acres of wetland and
playa (6700 W 2820 S)
5. Vistas East (6356 W 4580 S) 2.9 acres
6. Pleasant Valley Park (6124 W Brud Dr) .5 acres
7. Vistas South (4540 S 6000 W) 2.7 acres
8. Complete West side of Centennial Park, and include a skate park somewhere in the park. (5415
W 3100 S) 3 acres
9. Park in the area of 4800 W 4150 S with off-leash dog park 2 acres
10. Arlington Park open spaces (4700 W 4620 S) .5 to .75 acres
11. Park at (4300 W 4300 S) .5 to 1 acre
12. Trail-Head Park on Utah & Salt Lake Canal. (4050 W 4700 S) .75 acres
13. Firestation Park (2700 W 2900 S) 2 Acres
14. Park at (3641 S 2200 W) 2 or more acres
15. Park in the area of 3800 S Redwood Rd 2 acres
16. Chesterfield Neighborhood Park in an area to be determined 1.5 acres
17. Jordan River Parkway at about 3800 S 1250 W .5 acres
Q: Why did the City Council choose this year to request a bond for parks and trails?
A: Each year the city is losing more potential park sites as the community grows, and there is a need to acquire these sites while the real estate is still available and affordable. With many families vacationing from home during the economic hard times, the demand for recreational amenities close by like parks and trails is the highest it has ever been. Furthermore, many residents are concerned about slumping property values and studies show that one of the best ways to reinvest in neighborhoods and enhance value is through developing nearby parks and trails.
Also, with the completion of TRAX light rail next summer, and the finalizing of plans for the West Valley City Center there, the timing is critical for the new Granger Park/City Center Greenspace to be installed to help jump-start economic development. Finally, the city has long neglected getting caught up on its long range park master plan, and current interest rates and construction costs are at record lows, enabling many more projects to be completed for much less money than it normally would cost.
Not much to elaborate on with two major West Valley City announcements. The City just keeps moving forward. Target has announced that they will build a store and anchor a new development on 5600 West. The 135,300 square-foot store will be built on a 39-acre parcel directly across the street from WinCo at 2550 South 5600 West. Target will be a welcome addition to the burgeoning 5600 West corridor and that location will draw customers not only from West Valley City, but also from Magna and even Tooele because of the easy access. The West Valley City store will also be the first prototype in the nation of Target's new-store model. The store will include an ample selection of groceries, but will not be labeled a Super Target.
