(The Standard-Examiner posted the following story by Antone Clark on its website on March 19.)
CLEARFIELD, Utah — The future of commuter rail opens up new business opportunities in a city where developable property is becoming a thing of the past.
As part of a plan in the discussion phase, the Utah Transit Authority will sell or lease approximately 50-60 acres of property next to a planned commuter rail hub, which will allow the city to develop what is known as transit oriented development. The TODs will open up new business ventures, according to Kay Chandler, economic development director for the city.
UTA purchased about 71 acres in the area of 1000 East and approximately 1250 South, including an old rail unloading yard. About 10 acres of the property will be needed for a hub and parking, the rest can be sold or leased to the city.
Jeff Harris, a representative of UTA, told a combined meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission last month that an environmental study will be done on the rail site this summer. Harris told city officials that UTA did not need all 71 acres purchased for the park and ride lot in Clearfield. He asked the city for direction in developing the entire acreage.
“We’re running out of ground and we’re really excited about this rail thing. We’ve come onto an extra 60 acres,” Chandler said.
He said city officials are still working out details of what kind of businesses would be located in the property next to the rail hub. He suggested that finding the right kind of business fit is the city’s focus oat the moment.
“We’re looking at whatever would be in association with you jumping on the train. I can see book stores, maybe a shoe repair place. Our hope is it (the region to be developed) would be a mixed unit,” Chandler said.
Commuter rail could play a vital role in Clearfield, according to Chandler, because of the diverse economic structure of the city and its location between between Hill Air Force Base and Freeport Center. He said it is not inconceivable that workers could come into Clearfield and then take a bus or transport to their place of work.
“It makes a vast difference that Clearfield has about 26,000 or 27,000 that live here and about that many more that come here to work. It’s a real incentive to come to Clearfield,” Chandler said.
He thinks commuter rail is “made for Clearfield” and that it will link people to Ogden and Salt Lake City and make travel much easier.
“Personally I look forward to it. If I could go to the Jazz game and drive a few blocks and take a train I sure wouldn’t drive and pay $5 bucks to park,” Chandler said.
UTA entered into a $185 million agreement with Union Pacific in January 2002 to buy 175 miles of corridor from Union Pacific to build new lines or share existing lines that will usher in commuter rail for Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Box Elder and Utah counties.
By 2007, UTA hopes to have Utah’s first commuter rail line running between Salt Lake City and Ogden. Upon completion, it’s expected there will be 110 miles of commuter rail between Brigham City and Payson, transporting travelers at top speeds of almost 80 mph.